Stock C5 Headlights
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 251
Likes: 9
From: Western Massachusetts
Stock C5 Headlights
Years after I first should have I replaced the stock headlights on our ‘99 FRC with Bi-Xenon ACA’s from RadioFlyer Innovations. I now have a box of stock headlight parts and LED bulbs - is there a market for them? Or should I just add them to the other parts I have no use for? Message me if you have any interest!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,186
Likes: 1,792
From: Stafford Springs CT
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Years after I first should have I replaced the stock headlights on our ‘99 FRC with Bi-Xenon ACA’s from RadioFlyer Innovations. I now have a box of stock headlight parts and LED bulbs - is there a market for them? Or should I just add them to the other parts I have no use for? Message me if you have any interest!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,892
Likes: 981
From: Whitby Ont.
Years after I first should have I replaced the stock headlights on our ‘99 FRC with Bi-Xenon ACA’s from RadioFlyer Innovations. I now have a box of stock headlight parts and LED bulbs - is there a market for them? Or should I just add them to the other parts I have no use for? Message me if you have any interest!
what do you think of the Bi Xeneon lights ?
i have been pondering the idea..
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 197
Likes: 55
From: LA (lower Alabama)
I recently bought the ACAs. Here's what I think: Overall quality appears good. Wiring is good quality wiring, but the connectors (similar to GM OEM) will orient either way to what they connect to, so you have to verify orientation of the plugs first. Then they don't lock, so you will need to secure them together with zip-ties. It is nearly impossible to secure the harnesses in such a way that they are completely supported (just by OEM design) so make sure you secure them as best you can to reduce issues down the road from hanging and to prevent interference when the buckets move.
The amount of light is outstanding, it is unlikely you will ever overdrive your headlights. Low beams warm up to full strength in seconds and remain on with high beams, so no issues with delay here. Adjustment is pretty easy, you might have to take a few test drives to tweak them just right. Before you install the buckets, make sure you clean/oil/confirm adjustment mechanisms turn ok, might be a bit frozen if they've been sitting for years. The headlight lenses come covered in plastic wrap, leave that on until you are completely finished to help prevent scratches to the lens, as you may be taking them in and out a few times before you are done. I also wrapped towels around the headlight area while I was working to not damage paint or lens. (I was initially not happy with wiring placement and changed it a couple times, had to test fit, so I had them in the hole and out several times.)
The Bi-xenon modules: make sure you mount them where they won't interfere with headlight operation. Mounting them to the frame toward the radiator was too close for comfort for me once I started mounting the headlight assemblies. I ultimately mounted them to the rear of each compartment. The double-sided tape is pretty useless for permanent mounting, plan on using screws/bolts. I used stainless steel hardware. You might mount in different locations from side to side, since the OEM headlight control module is on the passenger side. The double-sided tape will help you hold the module in place till you get it bolted. I started by using the double-sided tape only and had to move the modules, and the tape didn’t stick at all on one side, then on the other side it stuck so well it pulled the back off the Bi-xenon module, so I had to repair this. (Easy enough, but if this happens to you, make sure you make it waterproof again. I used black 3M sealant. It actually appears to be waterproof even without the back on it.) Consider how you will drill mounting holes when you are choosing a location, I have a right-angle drill so not an issue with me. Also, on mine, the lock on the wiring connector to the module orients to the back of the module, and the module mounts flush, so it will pin the connector lock to the mounting surface and make it impossible to connect it if the module is already mounted, so take this into consideration. I didn’t want to cut the lock off, so I just connected the module first, then mounted it.
Additional harness included for keeping low beams on with high beams: This is a pretty simple concept, but the instructions have you adding this to the fuse box in front of the battery.You will find it is impossible to install this inside the fuse box for protection due to the size of the relay. Some people might not be concerned with this and just mount it outside the fuse box. I initially thought I would remove the fuse box and install it all underneath, but then changed my mind and installed it near the OEM headlight control module to make it easier if the relay ever goes out.I just had to figure out the OEM wiring colors and run fused power to the relay from the OEM tap at the fuse box, which is pretty easy and looks factory if you use wire loom.
Finally, not much is said on the Forum about this, but apparently some people find that the headlights won’t go down unless you have the high beams on.I’m one of those people.I have noticed that maybe once in 25 tries, the headlights will go down in low beam, and initially I was irritated about this, but I moved on and now I just put them in high beam before I turn them off.It’s how I keep the buckets up for cleaning them.Would I do it all again?Yep.It’s not a huge install, although if you do it so you never have to go back in there you are going to spend several hours on it.Anyone that says they can do this in less than an hour (on their first install) is not realistic if they are hiding wiring, securing wire runs, choosing module location and permanently securing modules, and being careful not to scratch anything, not to mention tweaking the adjustments.Overall, I’m very happy with the headlights, they look great and they have amazing light output.
The amount of light is outstanding, it is unlikely you will ever overdrive your headlights. Low beams warm up to full strength in seconds and remain on with high beams, so no issues with delay here. Adjustment is pretty easy, you might have to take a few test drives to tweak them just right. Before you install the buckets, make sure you clean/oil/confirm adjustment mechanisms turn ok, might be a bit frozen if they've been sitting for years. The headlight lenses come covered in plastic wrap, leave that on until you are completely finished to help prevent scratches to the lens, as you may be taking them in and out a few times before you are done. I also wrapped towels around the headlight area while I was working to not damage paint or lens. (I was initially not happy with wiring placement and changed it a couple times, had to test fit, so I had them in the hole and out several times.)
The Bi-xenon modules: make sure you mount them where they won't interfere with headlight operation. Mounting them to the frame toward the radiator was too close for comfort for me once I started mounting the headlight assemblies. I ultimately mounted them to the rear of each compartment. The double-sided tape is pretty useless for permanent mounting, plan on using screws/bolts. I used stainless steel hardware. You might mount in different locations from side to side, since the OEM headlight control module is on the passenger side. The double-sided tape will help you hold the module in place till you get it bolted. I started by using the double-sided tape only and had to move the modules, and the tape didn’t stick at all on one side, then on the other side it stuck so well it pulled the back off the Bi-xenon module, so I had to repair this. (Easy enough, but if this happens to you, make sure you make it waterproof again. I used black 3M sealant. It actually appears to be waterproof even without the back on it.) Consider how you will drill mounting holes when you are choosing a location, I have a right-angle drill so not an issue with me. Also, on mine, the lock on the wiring connector to the module orients to the back of the module, and the module mounts flush, so it will pin the connector lock to the mounting surface and make it impossible to connect it if the module is already mounted, so take this into consideration. I didn’t want to cut the lock off, so I just connected the module first, then mounted it.
Additional harness included for keeping low beams on with high beams: This is a pretty simple concept, but the instructions have you adding this to the fuse box in front of the battery.You will find it is impossible to install this inside the fuse box for protection due to the size of the relay. Some people might not be concerned with this and just mount it outside the fuse box. I initially thought I would remove the fuse box and install it all underneath, but then changed my mind and installed it near the OEM headlight control module to make it easier if the relay ever goes out.I just had to figure out the OEM wiring colors and run fused power to the relay from the OEM tap at the fuse box, which is pretty easy and looks factory if you use wire loom.
Finally, not much is said on the Forum about this, but apparently some people find that the headlights won’t go down unless you have the high beams on.I’m one of those people.I have noticed that maybe once in 25 tries, the headlights will go down in low beam, and initially I was irritated about this, but I moved on and now I just put them in high beam before I turn them off.It’s how I keep the buckets up for cleaning them.Would I do it all again?Yep.It’s not a huge install, although if you do it so you never have to go back in there you are going to spend several hours on it.Anyone that says they can do this in less than an hour (on their first install) is not realistic if they are hiding wiring, securing wire runs, choosing module location and permanently securing modules, and being careful not to scratch anything, not to mention tweaking the adjustments.Overall, I’m very happy with the headlights, they look great and they have amazing light output.
