Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:
View Poll Results: Factory vs. Aftermarket Headlights
Factory headlights and bulbs
39
35.78%
Factory headlights but installed different bulbs/LEDS
32
29.36%
Changed completely to aftermarket setup
38
34.86%
Voters: 109. You may not vote on this poll

Headlights Questions

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-10-2017, 03:09 PM
  #21  
Grandpa1
Burning Brakes
 
Grandpa1's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2017
Location: Wichita Falls Texas
Posts: 1,034
Received 271 Likes on 154 Posts
Default

I don't drive at night much anymore but I leave on trips before daylight.
I don't have a problem with the brightness of the stock lights on my 03 vert. If they burn out I will go back with stock.
Old 10-10-2017, 11:01 PM
  #22  
C52002Vert
Instructor
 
C52002Vert's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2016
Location: O'Neill (Home of St. Pat's Weekend) NE
Posts: 239
Received 90 Likes on 46 Posts
Default Thanks

Originally Posted by Tsumi
HIRs look mostly the same as regular bulbs. Those should be the right ones.

I just wanted to thank you for the tip on the headlight bulbs. You were the one that turned me on to this upgrade without even knowing it. I read a lot but don't post a lot so thanks again!
Old 10-10-2017, 11:16 PM
  #23  
zachaeous
Melting Slicks

 
zachaeous's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2012
Location: USA
Posts: 2,800
Received 451 Likes on 376 Posts

Default

I went with the HIR bulbs in the low beams and a Hi4 harness from Radio Flyer. The lighting is much improved over the stock setup.

Last edited by zachaeous; 10-10-2017 at 11:17 PM.
Old 10-11-2017, 08:51 AM
  #24  
jrprich
Le Mans Master
 
jrprich's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2006
Location: Hillsboro Oregon
Posts: 5,747
Received 213 Likes on 185 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Choreo
I installed the Speedbuilt Euro Headlight Upgrade over 10 years ago. I run the High Wattage 135/90 H4 bulbs.

Purchased here: http://www.pfyc.com/VT1003.html

Totally satisfied. Glass & Metal housing and lenses used in Euro C5s - not plastic like in U.S. Also lenses have beam focus to avoid bothering oncoming traffic.
Odd as their website lists the cost as $59.99 pretty sure that is a typo
Old 10-11-2017, 09:08 AM
  #25  
jrprich
Le Mans Master
 
jrprich's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2006
Location: Hillsboro Oregon
Posts: 5,747
Received 213 Likes on 185 Posts

Default

I installed an original set of HID ACAs over a decade ago in my 99 when they were still available. All Phillips components. They were great lights. Ran them with no issues until I sold the 99 removed the ACAs and installed them in my new to me 03 but modified the stops to get a nice "sleepy eye" look. But then I had a chance to get a set of SunGuns with dual Hella projectors, 55w HIDs. Sold the ACAs after installing the SunGuns.
GREAT lights, but no longer available as far as I can tell.

ACAs modified and stock on my 99



SunGuns




Last edited by jrprich; 10-11-2017 at 09:30 AM.
Old 10-11-2017, 09:54 AM
  #26  
whalepirot
Melting Slicks
 
whalepirot's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2008
Location: AZ
Posts: 2,047
Received 119 Likes on 108 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by avigar
Everyone knows that the C5's factory headlights are lacking in brightness.
Seems that's not at all true, but these are the days of not caring about blinding other drivers, at least in SoCal. At least Vettes are not the worst. Once upon a time, inspections ensured that lights were aimed properly, even more critical with the increased directionaliuty of the new lights.

Last edited by whalepirot; 10-11-2017 at 09:57 AM.
Old 10-11-2017, 10:59 AM
  #27  
Choreo
Le Mans Master
Support Corvetteforum!
 
Choreo's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2006
Location: Midland TX
Posts: 6,707
Received 303 Likes on 220 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by jrprich
Odd as their website lists the cost as $59.99 pretty sure that is a typo
The pricing of those items on their website has always been impossible to figure out from that drop-down list! I finally had to call them to place my order as none of their website options covered what I needed, total was over $600 as I recall.
Old 10-11-2017, 12:26 PM
  #28  
mrlmd
Drifting
 
mrlmd's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2013
Location: Shell Point (Crawfordville) Florida
Posts: 1,806
Received 297 Likes on 198 Posts

Default

I upgraded first to HIR bulbs, low and high, then went up to HID lows (JWR) and kept the HIR highs. No problems, big improvement. Just get used to the few sec. warm up time for the HID bulbs and make sure you aim them right after installation. They look better too.
Old 10-11-2017, 08:09 PM
  #29  
aj98
Melting Slicks
 
aj98's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2005
Location: SE VA VA
Posts: 2,017
Received 168 Likes on 137 Posts

Default

Drove stock for a few years. Changed to Sylvia superstars. Not much better.
Not having any other cars with HIDs, didnt really know what I was missing.

Once I got the C7, I knew.

changed to to Radioflyer bi-xenon earlier this year.
Now I wonder why I didnt make that change way before now.

Last edited by aj98; 10-11-2017 at 08:10 PM.
Old 10-11-2017, 11:43 PM
  #30  
jrprich
Le Mans Master
 
jrprich's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2006
Location: Hillsboro Oregon
Posts: 5,747
Received 213 Likes on 185 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Choreo
The pricing of those items on their website has always been impossible to figure out from that drop-down list! I finally had to call them to place my order as none of their website options covered what I needed, total was over $600 as I recall.
Surprising that they have not fixed these issues on their site
Old 10-11-2017, 11:48 PM
  #31  
jrprich
Le Mans Master
 
jrprich's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2006
Location: Hillsboro Oregon
Posts: 5,747
Received 213 Likes on 185 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by whalepirot
Seems that's not at all true, but these are the days of not caring about blinding other drivers, at least in SoCal. At least Vettes are not the worst. Once upon a time, inspections ensured that lights were aimed properly, even more critical with the increased directionaliuty of the new lights.

Can't speak for others, but my HIDs have always been carefully aimed and I have never been flashed by other drivers. But I would not install HIDs in a stock housing that was not designed for them as the beam pattern of a HID is not supported in our C5 OEM lamp housings.
Old 10-12-2017, 08:08 AM
  #32  
runner140*
Le Mans Master

Support Corvetteforum!
 
runner140*'s Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2004
Location: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Posts: 8,687
Received 282 Likes on 256 Posts

Default

I do a lot of night time driving and changed to Gen 5 LED's some time ago. I use four LED's in the headlights. As bright as my wifes HID's in the Lexus.

Last edited by runner140*; 10-12-2017 at 08:08 AM. Reason: add
Old 10-12-2017, 10:18 AM
  #33  
mfrnka
Pro
 
mfrnka's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 1999
Location: GA
Posts: 535
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Debating Radio Flyer or JWM setup.

In the mean time, I thew in a quick set of MostPlus LED bulbs for both high and low beams. Nice improvement over stock and may be all I need.
Old 10-12-2017, 11:30 AM
  #34  
Tsumi
Drifting
 
Tsumi's Avatar
 
Member Since: Nov 2016
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 1,660
Received 357 Likes on 289 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by mfrnka
Debating Radio Flyer or JWM setup.

In the mean time, I thew in a quick set of MostPlus LED bulbs for both high and low beams. Nice improvement over stock and may be all I need.
Radioflyer gets you bi-xenon (projectors can function as low and high beams), JWM does not. Radioflyer gets you a true HID projector in the form of an Acme Standard Mini H1, JWM has a halogen based projector.

If you wanted to upgrade to ACAs, I would do neitherof the above. I would get the ACAs from FIPerformance, the C5 retrofit brackets from Lightwerkz, and Morimoto Mini H1 7.0 projectors. With the sales that come up on Lughtwerkz every holiday, overall cost will be similar to Radioflyer, with you just needing to put in some work swapping out the projectors.
Old 10-12-2017, 11:35 AM
  #35  
Route99
Race Director


Support Corvetteforum!
 
Route99's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2017
Location: Hickory NC
Posts: 10,211
Received 863 Likes on 667 Posts
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '17-‘18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Default

MostPlus 9012/9011 HIR Bulbs which are an improvement over stock. Still considering conversion to either the Euro from PFYC; the Radioflyer or the JWM.

Old 10-12-2017, 12:39 PM
  #36  
dork
Drifting
 
dork's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jul 2012
Location: Missouri
Posts: 1,294
Received 225 Likes on 143 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Choreo
The pricing of those items on their website has always been impossible to figure out from that drop-down list! I finally had to call them to place my order as none of their website options covered what I needed, total was over $600 as I recall.
I installed the same E-code headlamps as Choreo; I set mine up with Narva 90/100w bulbs. I've had last-generation Suburban-sized SUVs slow down to follow me because my brights cast better patterns and illuminate more road than their HIDs. I much prefer them over the HIDs on my 2014 c7 for their better light patterns. One of the best features about the E-code lights is they're made to German DOT standards--VASTLY more stringent than USDOT. The parts are manufactured in Germany and Switzerland; none of the parts are sourced from China or Taiwan.

For pricing on that website, choose the desired item and click it; the top dollar line will add sums and keep track of your selections. Joe_A also did this mod. If you search his name he found better prices than I did, and I'd found better prices than PFYC. Also, if anyone's interested, just a couple weeks ago someone was trying to sell his E-code package for $400. He never installed it and wanted to sell it in the For Sale forum. I don't remember if it included a high-wattage harness and 90/100w bulbs. Even without, it's a pretty good deal.

Here's Joe's post: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ights-t84.html

Last edited by dork; 10-12-2017 at 12:48 PM.
Old 10-12-2017, 01:39 PM
  #37  
The Edge Const
1st Gear
 
The Edge Const's Avatar
 
Member Since: Oct 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I installed the LED below and I am real happy with them

Amazon Amazon

Get notified of new replies

To Headlights Questions

Old 10-12-2017, 01:58 PM
  #38  
gpruitt54
Burning Brakes
 
gpruitt54's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2014
Location: Chicago Illinois
Posts: 1,223
Received 182 Likes on 126 Posts
Default

When I bought my first ever corvette in 2016, I bought this style of HID head light from an Ebay seller. One of the best upgrades to any stock system on the car. HID bulbs (Xenon) outperform standard Halogen or LED bulbs by orders of magnitude. The low beam side are projector housings which are perfect for HIDs and much more directional than LEDs. Highly recommended upgrade. Drop in installation. Buy HID bulbs and ballasts. The HID ballasts use the existing headlight wire connections, so you will not need the included wire harness.

Aside from the much improved night time driving experience with these headlights, these have helped my car win car show awards. I pop-up the headlights at the show and it is likely that no other C5 at the show will have these installed.


Old 10-12-2017, 08:17 PM
  #39  
jrprich
Le Mans Master
 
jrprich's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2006
Location: Hillsboro Oregon
Posts: 5,747
Received 213 Likes on 185 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by gpruitt54
. Drop in installation. Buy HID bulbs and ballasts. The HID ballasts use the existing headlight wire connections, so you will not need the included wire harness.
JMO,
but all HID installs should use a battery-based relay harness like what was included in your kit. If you rely on the small gauge OEM headlight wiring you may have many unwelcome issues. Common issues can be that the headlight will not close or open as designed. The battery-based relay wiring harness is easy to install and will ensure that proper voltage reaches your HID ballasts.
The following users liked this post:
gpruitt54 (10-12-2017)
Old 10-12-2017, 08:20 PM
  #40  
Tsumi
Drifting
 
Tsumi's Avatar
 
Member Since: Nov 2016
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 1,660
Received 357 Likes on 289 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by jrprich
JMO,
but all HID installs should use a battery-based relay harness like what was included in your kit. If you rely on the small gauge OEM headlight wiring you may have many unwelcome issues. Common issues can be that the headlight will not close or open as designed. The battery-based relay wiring harness is easy to install and will ensure that proper voltage reaches your HID ballasts.
Also if I recall correctly, the included harness also acts as a High-4 harness.


Quick Reply: Headlights Questions



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:30 PM.