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 Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,839
Likes: 390
Headlights Questions
I wanted to make this a poll so I closed my other discussion thread. Everyone knows that the C5's factory headlights are lacking in brightness. I'm wondering what you've done to try to improve them. How many of you are still using your stock headlights vs. aftermarket ones? For the ones still on stock, which bulbs are you using now to try to get a brighter output? The ones with after aftermarket setups, let us know which ones you're on and if you're satisfied with the end results.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,136
Likes: 2,983
From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Still using the stock headlight bulbs on my 02 but upgraded my driving lights to PIAA's. They are bright enough I really don't need headlights at dusk.
Not sure what headlights are in my 99 as I'm not the original owner but I'm guessing stock lights.
Not sure what headlights are in my 99 as I'm not the original owner but I'm guessing stock lights.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 498
Likes: 100
From: New Jersey
I really wanted to go with the ACA projectors with HID lights but after seeing some of the headache stories about the finicky electrical issues that can accompany them i decided against it. I plan on installing HIR bulbs soon in the stock housings. I'm sure someone will chime in with more info on them as I'm not terribly familiar with them yet. Supposedly they are close to the brightness of HID but without the coloring of the light.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 365
From: SF Bay Area
HIR bulbs are the simplest and most cost effective upgrade. The color temperature will be slightly higher, I believe they're around the 4200k range.
I went with FX-R 3.0s retrofitted into ACA housings, what an adventure that was. Love the output with 5500k TRS bulbs and 50 watt ballasts (brings color temperature to the 4500-4800k range). I did have to wire up a custom relay setup to make the HCM behave properly though, but it allowed me to do a high-4 setup while not interfering with any of the factory functions.
I went with FX-R 3.0s retrofitted into ACA housings, what an adventure that was. Love the output with 5500k TRS bulbs and 50 watt ballasts (brings color temperature to the 4500-4800k range). I did have to wire up a custom relay setup to make the HCM behave properly though, but it allowed me to do a high-4 setup while not interfering with any of the factory functions.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,761
Likes: 235
From: North Carolina
Installed Radioflyer's Non bi-xenon ACA headlights with 4300k Hid's, and 55watt ballasts. Also installed RF's HID fogs and switchback LED DRL's and clear corner lights, plus hyperflash harness back in late 2013. No headlamp operation problems.
Last edited by MAC5; Oct 9, 2017 at 12:53 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 483
Likes: 47
From: Bridgewater NJ
HIR bulbs are the simplest and most cost effective upgrade. The color temperature will be slightly higher, I believe they're around the 4200k range.
I went with FX-R 3.0s retrofitted into ACA housings, what an adventure that was. Love the output with 5500k TRS bulbs and 50 watt ballasts (brings color temperature to the 4500-4800k range). I did have to wire up a custom relay setup to make the HCM behave properly though, but it allowed me to do a high-4 setup while not interfering with any of the factory functions.
I went with FX-R 3.0s retrofitted into ACA housings, what an adventure that was. Love the output with 5500k TRS bulbs and 50 watt ballasts (brings color temperature to the 4500-4800k range). I did have to wire up a custom relay setup to make the HCM behave properly though, but it allowed me to do a high-4 setup while not interfering with any of the factory functions.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 361
From: Midland TX
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.
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.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,839
Likes: 390
Looks like most of us are opting to stay with the same factory setup. I'll have to look into the HIR bulbs as the least costly option for now. Are there specific catalog numbers and brands recommended for both the HIR high and low lamps? How much extra heat and wattage will these produce? Will the factory wiring and fuse capacity be sufficient to properly allow the upgrades?
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Instructor
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 204
Likes: 12
Stockers for me, I'll look into brighter options when one of them burns out. I try not to drive at night too much, but honestly the output is ok. I don't drive down many roads that have no lighting, but if I did I would probably upgrade sooner. The aftermarket options do look nice, but not sure how willing I'd be to take on such a project and expense considering how infrequently I am driving it at night.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,839
Likes: 390
Which ones are high and low lamps? Will the electrical connectors be plug n play as well? Any modding on the mounting tabs be required on the HIRs to make them fit into the factory housing? Sorry for all the questions. I just need to make sure before I order them online. Thanks!
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 365
From: SF Bay Area
9011 are highs and replace 9005, 9012 are lows and replace 9006. Connectors are plug and play. Trimming of the tabs on the HIR bulbs are required, plenty of images online with a google search, or just compare to the stock bulbs and trim as required.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,696
Likes: 24,670
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Still on my factory lights and bulbs. Maybe someday will get around to upgrading the lights.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
Now that it's dark in the morning on my drive to work I'd maybe consider getting something like the Philips HIR 9012, but the drive is well lit streets. Coming home is 3:30, nice and light. Car will be off the road soon... nah, stock bulbs for now. Maybe a winter job.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7,420
Likes: 969
From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
I ended up with HIR’s in both my C5’s. I tried a couple of HID’S and they were not worth the work. I have not tried LED’s, from what I’ve read, results are too anecdotal.
I must have mine aimed poorly, because I easily overdrive the low beams, and highs are sort of equivalent to the lows on my other cars.
I must have mine aimed poorly, because I easily overdrive the low beams, and highs are sort of equivalent to the lows on my other cars.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 498
Likes: 100
From: New Jersey
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-9011-Standard-Replacement-Headlight/dp/B00480J5CW
Last edited by acuevo; Oct 10, 2017 at 02:07 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 233
Likes: 59
From: Bowling Green, Ky
put the 9006 led low beams out of my camaro into the vette the day i got it. got a good deal on the projector headlights in chrome (ugh) for $130. They come with H11 low beams and will be here tomorrow.
I will probably put led's in them too
I will probably put led's in them too