High watt headlight bulbs?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,353
Likes: 22
From: Bella Vista Ca
High watt headlight bulbs?
Several companies offer 80 watt low beam and 100 watt high beam headlight bulbs, are the worth using? Is there any problems using them such as heat or them being too bright for the road?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 5,266
Likes: 15
From: Syracuse NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
I replaced my 9006 low beam bulbs with the APC's nearly 4 years ago when I purchased my 2001. I like them and have not experienced any heat related damage issues. I didn't bother with the 9005 high beams, so I do not know if they have any issues.
Mine came from LAPD http://www.thelapd.com/Merchant2/mer...e_Code=thelapd
Mine came from LAPD http://www.thelapd.com/Merchant2/mer...e_Code=thelapd
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 34,299
Likes: 1
From: [Enter Unoffensive Comment Here]
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
I installed the PIAA Xtremes 9005/9006. They are better than stock but I think unless you go HID, Vette lights will always suck. 
(No heat problems)
(No heat problems)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,458
Likes: 105
From: Northville Michigan
Mike,
I purchased and installed PFYC's Euro headlight conversion for my Z06. This conversion contains the GM OEM headlight assemblies that they supply for European bound Corvettes. The housings are made of glass, instead of plastic. They use 80 watt PIAA Platinum Super White bulbs.
The improvement is amazing. With these lights, your Vette's lights "won't suck."
Good luck with your decision.
I purchased and installed PFYC's Euro headlight conversion for my Z06. This conversion contains the GM OEM headlight assemblies that they supply for European bound Corvettes. The housings are made of glass, instead of plastic. They use 80 watt PIAA Platinum Super White bulbs.
The improvement is amazing. With these lights, your Vette's lights "won't suck."
Good luck with your decision.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 143
From: Goodyear Az
If you upgrade to high wattage bulbs, make sure you get the E-Code glass lense housings. You also need to upgrade the wiring, since it it wasn't designed to handle the current of high watt bulbs.
HID lamps put out about 3000 lumens. Stock C5 bulbs put out about 800 lumens on low, and 1500 on high. That's why they suck.
High wattage Narvas, though, put out about 1800 lumens on low and 3500(!!) on high beams. They use 90 watts on low, and 130 watts on high. Stock is 45 watts and 65 watts. For all the information (and more) that you'd want to know about automotive lighting:
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...lbs/bulbs.html
BTW, I installed the Euro code housings and Narva 130/90watt bulbs in my wife's C5 and when on LOW beam they are easily much brighter than they were on HIGH when stock. When the new setup is on high beam, it's incredibly bright. I have a set waiting for the install in my Z06.
HID lamps put out about 3000 lumens. Stock C5 bulbs put out about 800 lumens on low, and 1500 on high. That's why they suck.
High wattage Narvas, though, put out about 1800 lumens on low and 3500(!!) on high beams. They use 90 watts on low, and 130 watts on high. Stock is 45 watts and 65 watts. For all the information (and more) that you'd want to know about automotive lighting:
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...lbs/bulbs.html
BTW, I installed the Euro code housings and Narva 130/90watt bulbs in my wife's C5 and when on LOW beam they are easily much brighter than they were on HIGH when stock. When the new setup is on high beam, it's incredibly bright. I have a set waiting for the install in my Z06.
Last edited by nuke61; Jul 10, 2004 at 12:27 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 143
From: Goodyear Az
BTW, if you get the Euro housings, the light cutoff and focus is much better than the stock plastic lenses. That means that while you can have a vastly improved light output, the sharp cutoff keeps oncoming drivers from getting blinded with glare.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,353
Likes: 22
From: Bella Vista Ca
Originally Posted by Bill Curlee
NUKE 61
How much money would a head light set up like the one you have cost. I would be installing it myself!!
Bill Curlee
How much money would a head light set up like the one you have cost. I would be installing it myself!!
Bill Curlee
http://www.pfyc.com/store/merchant.m...ory_Code=VTEXT
Thanks for the help!
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Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 25,343
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From: Frisco, TX
A few years back I bought a kit that had the Euro lenses and some higher wattage bulbs, but this was a "plug and play" kit that still used the factory wiring to supply power to the bulbs. They are better than stock, but still mediocre IMHO.
Just last week, after deciding that the aftermarket HID kits were too 'iffy,' I ordered a relay kit and some brighter bulbs to go with my past setup. I'll report how it goes when I find time to install them, and I hope to have time to do a how-to on the issue of connecting the wiring.
Just last week, after deciding that the aftermarket HID kits were too 'iffy,' I ordered a relay kit and some brighter bulbs to go with my past setup. I'll report how it goes when I find time to install them, and I hope to have time to do a how-to on the issue of connecting the wiring.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 7,825
Likes: 0
From: Manassas VA
I upgraded my stock headlamps to HyperBlue lamps, both high and low. Major improvement. I've hardly had the need for the high beams since putting them in. Got mine from Ecklers. Only issues were I ordered one of each thinking it was one SET. Ordered fog lamp bulbs to replace the stocks, but they were abused on the trip over and broken on arrival. Ecklers would refund the credit, but I'd have to pay shipping. Tried soldering the legs back on, but to no avail. Back to the point, my 80 watts are sufficient. The previous owner said he aimed the beams a little higher because the stock bulbs sucked, so this may contribute to why my highs never get used.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,353
Likes: 22
From: Bella Vista Ca
Originally Posted by SteveL2
A few years back I bought a kit that had the Euro lenses and some higher wattage bulbs, but this was a "plug and play" kit that still used the factory wiring to supply power to the bulbs. They are better than stock, but still mediocre IMHO.
Just last week, after deciding that the aftermarket HID kits were too 'iffy,' I ordered a relay kit and some brighter bulbs to go with my past setup. I'll report how it goes when I find time to install them, and I hope to have time to do a how-to on the issue of connecting the wiring.
Just last week, after deciding that the aftermarket HID kits were too 'iffy,' I ordered a relay kit and some brighter bulbs to go with my past setup. I'll report how it goes when I find time to install them, and I hope to have time to do a how-to on the issue of connecting the wiring.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
EXCELLENT!! I will talk to Brian at PFYC and see if I can get a Group Purchase going for this system!!!
I see that the future may be BRIGHTER for the ZO6!!
BC
I see that the future may be BRIGHTER for the ZO6!!
BC
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 919
Likes: 1
From: Portland area OR
T-84 Euro lens with higher wattage bulbs are the only way to go. When you go higher wattage, you must build a harness (8 gauge wire) with relays capable of handling the wattage. You will risk a meltdown with the stock harness or plug & play adaptor that plugs into the stock harness. I run the Euros with Piaa 80/100 watt bulbs with a custom harness made from the Daniel Stern relay kit. The Piaa 1100X driving lights are also will worth the investment. :flag
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,887
Likes: 2
From: Havin' fun in Frederick, MD!!!
St. Jude Donor '05 '09
Early in this thread LAPD's APC 9005 and 9006 were mentioned as were PIAAs Xtremes 9005 and 9006. While these two brands are not HIDs, they are significantly different in price. LAPD wants $29 buck a pair and the PIAAs are $74 a pair (where I looked). Can anyone explain why there is such a price difference? Are the PIAAs that much better?
Tom
Tom
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 143
From: Goodyear Az
As has been said, if you install higher watt bulbs, you MUST install relays and larger guage wiring. If you don't you risk melting wires (at best) and starting a fire in your Vette. Additionally, you risk melting the lenses if you don't upgrade to the glass E-Code housings.
Do a Google search for Daniel Stern Lighting. LOTS of good info on automotive lighting. He also makes a relay kit for installing high watt bulbs in a C5. To install the lights in my wifes Vette, I bought the E-Code housings from GMPartsDirect and the relay kit from Daniel Stern. There might be vendors who sell the whole thing in one shot, but I didn't look.
Do a Google search for Daniel Stern Lighting. LOTS of good info on automotive lighting. He also makes a relay kit for installing high watt bulbs in a C5. To install the lights in my wifes Vette, I bought the E-Code housings from GMPartsDirect and the relay kit from Daniel Stern. There might be vendors who sell the whole thing in one shot, but I didn't look.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,174
Likes: 15
From: Florida
I have had the Catz Galazy Whites in the stock location with the stock wiring for two years without issue. I did it primarily because I hate the factory YELLOW coloring. Nice white with a slight hint on purple ..... I dont see HID retrofit kit in my future as basically they are cracking down on it (DOT) but the Spectrewerkes C5-R lights, now thats the ticket.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 404
Likes: 0
From: Napa
Euro code Glass & 80/80
I replaced my stock lenses on my first 02 with e-code lenses and 80/80 bulbs. A huge differance, and @ 80 watts I was told I didn't have to rewire to avoid a fire!! I haven't subsequent cars, because the price has gone up.... I paid ~$200 for everything in 02, and can't seem to fork the higher $'s now. It was the best mod I did to my first 02... I'm just too cheap now!!! Saving my pennies for the C6 that's on order.
Bob
Bob
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,405
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From: Whippany NJ
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
NCM Sinkhole Donor
hehe i feel special; Im sporting Sylvania Silverstars (super whites); 40.00 for a pair! I love them! Nice and bright but not blinding