2002 c5 convert, is it normal to have to adjust head light aim, after installing led headlight bulbs

 

Yes but your best bet is pull the LED bulbs and put back regular bulbs. The housings are not designed for LED bulbs and scatter the light poorly. Generally you'll have really bright areas near the front of the car and very poor cutoff, blinding oncoming traffic.
If you want LED headlights you'll need to change the housings too. Sharp Light Innovations has an excellent kit for the C5. Knight Drive TV also has a kit.

 

LED bulbs in the factory housing inherently change the pattern of the headlight. There's not much re-aiming will do.

 

I have never done so, if you buy higher end LEDs you will get proper light distribution etc. Try VetteLights for the high end, or you can use Sealight or LASfit LEDS from Amazon. All better than stock.

 

After years of procrastinating, I talked to George at Sharp Light Innovations and he delivered what he promised.

I have incredible headlight vision that is similar to a new car’s down the road clarity. Now I don’t have to avoid dusk or evening driving. The Bi-LED ACA lights are incredible—and they make my 98 look new. Extremely pleased.

 

There is a lot of ignorance on LED due to the fact there is little good information and a lot of cheap crappy non standardized bulbs out there. I used to think LED would not work till I learned better.

https://www.oraclelights.com/product...KTi7qTtn9dl0z3

The key to Corvette headlamps is to buy a proper H4 bulb that is designed for an H4 headlamp. This means it is not just just shooting random light out and it is also able to be clocked so that the light hits the reflector properly and it shoots the light out.

The issue is most bulbs do not clock and do not shoot light to the reflector, they just shoot. Light everyplace. If you are getting a deal on a bulb then you will likely be getting a cheap un engineered product.

I went to Oracle bulbs because they were made to work properly and light the road not the trees.

Anytime you put in a bulb it is good to check the alignment. It is easy to do and will get you the best results.

I was an able to work with Oracle and they had one of their engineer help me and taught me much. Also on the fog lights you want the LED 360 degree bulb to get the best results with the lens it uses.

Best to brush up on the differences on the bulbs as unlike regular halogens these are not all the same. . There is a lot of Royal crap out there.

But proper LED bulbs can be used and while not cheap there’s is a difference,

You get what you pay for.

 

Oracle seems to make quality products. Havn't seen their headlights in person, but I have a few rgb logs from them and they are really well made.

 

Good info in this thread. Getting an LED bulb to work in the factory housing can be a challenge.

 

Just look at Amazon and E Bay at how many types, style and quality of bulbs are out there. There is no real standard set for these bulbs so overseas MFGs just go crazy on cheap and easy bulbs they make.
The key on a lamp like the C5 is to use a bulb that is made to channel the light to the lens not out ward. The light is the thunder but the reflector is the lighting and does all the work to get the light to the fluted lens.

This requires a bulb that is engineered for the reflector. Also it needs to be able to be indexed so you can turn it so the light is put into the reflector in the right place. They give you an Allen wrench and it will let the bulb be turned so the main part will be in the right place once in the lens.

Also cooling is another factor. Many older styles still have fans and heat sinks. The best new bulbs do not have large heat sinks or fans any longer. Oracle I used had none and this made them work well with the retractable lights.

Also projection bulbs need a whole different style. They can use the 360 degree bulbs as they rely on the lens to direct the light and not a reflector or fluted lens.

Things in the LED field are advancing fast and you really need to brush up and catch up to learn what works and what is crap. It is a mottled mess right now and many are getting mixed results.

Tail lamps and other bulbs are not a big deal as they just reflect. But headlamps you need to know what is right and what will work. Speak to the MFG if unsure and they can guide you to what will work best.

I have the Oracles in Corvette, 911 and Fiero as I used H4 lens in the latter two. I have had good results with better lighting and no one ever flashes due to scattered light,.

But you do need to adjust to make sure they are right with the cut off line.

 

The Sealight S7S bulbs have an adjustable collar/locking ring. Has anyone used these in their C5?

 

https://arc.lighting/led-headlight-b...ntation-guide/

LED in factory housings as well LED bulbs in general are not fully understood or always honestly explained by cheap bulb companies.

Here is a bit of education on the topic that many don’t know. Clocking and type of LED is key and well explained here. Hope this helps.