HID lights ??
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: Concord NC
HID lights ??
I have been pondering the idea of adding this mod to my car. Has anyone done this and if so where did they get there kit and how happy are you with this mod?
I know there was a group purchase for this previously but I am unable to find it now.
Thanks in advance,
Richard
I know there was a group purchase for this previously but I am unable to find it now.
Thanks in advance,
Richard
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 14,185
Likes: 286
From: Shitcago IL
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07-'08
Don't have hids on mine but I'm probably gonna get them. They used to be really expensive but now at $350, it's a really good mod. Especially since I love driving at night with the top off. The light quality of the halogens is nowhere near the hids.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 665
Likes: 0
From: Hendersonville NC
You may want to review some information at DanielSternLighting.com. He indicates that many after market HID's are not being installed into a proper housing and have light alignment problems. I am going to do the Euro upgrade to H4 bulbs and H3 on the fogs. This will provide a huge improvement for low beam, and a gargantuan increase in output on the high beam. I have HID's on my Accura, for low beam only and it is a great full, white light pattern. The Euro halogens and higher output do the same thing, pretty much, without about 50% of the cost and complex, self leveling issue.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 649
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
St. Jude Contributor
Banks Performance (supporting vendor) was in charge of the last one. Shoot them an email. I don't have them, but plan on getting them someday. Those who've purchased the Banks kits sound pleased so far.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 674
Likes: 2
From: Angleton Tx
Originally Posted by IwantmyC5
Banks Performance (supporting vendor) was in charge of the last one. Shoot them an email. I don't have them, but plan on getting them someday. Those who've purchased the Banks kits sound pleased so far.
Albert
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,898
Likes: 5
From: Plainfield, IL
I know a LOT about HID's I have done my own retrofits using halogen housings and HID projectors. I can tell you this. Putting an HID bulb in your stock corvette housing (DOT, or Euro housing) will not improve lighting very much, however it WILL increase glare to very high and dangerous levels to oncomming traffic. These housings are not designed for HID light and capsules. The best most effective headlamp is the HID projector. I retrofitted a pair in my 97 Z28 Camaro from an Audi A3. Projectors provide very wide and even lighting with a sharp cutoff point leaving little to no glare for uncomming drivers. And if its that cool purplish/blue color you see from some uncomming HID equipped cars what your actually seeing is prism effect from the projector lens. HID cars that have a free-form housings do not do this like the Acura TL's and some of the older Mercedes.
Sorry for the short novel here, but I just wanted you to understand the logic of the different types of lighting. So if I didnt make it clear enough, just plugging an HID bulb into your stock housing will not improve lighting much at all if any. Save your money for a nice pair of the C5R HID setups or other fixed projector headlight setup.
Sorry for the short novel here, but I just wanted you to understand the logic of the different types of lighting. So if I didnt make it clear enough, just plugging an HID bulb into your stock housing will not improve lighting much at all if any. Save your money for a nice pair of the C5R HID setups or other fixed projector headlight setup.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: Concord NC
I have also been pondering switching to the Euro H4 setup to see if that will give me the improvement over the stock headlights, I am just tired of the stock yellow look of standard lights. I have even thought of getting PIAA 9006 lights to see if that will quench my thirst for new lights, LOL
Thanks all for your thoughts.
Richard
Thanks all for your thoughts.
Richard
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 45
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by JTS97Z28
I know a LOT about HID's I have done my own retrofits using halogen housings and HID projectors. I can tell you this. Putting an HID bulb in your stock corvette housing (DOT, or Euro housing) will not improve lighting very much,<snip>.
. I recently installed my kit from Banks Prerformance-Rev Extreme.
I waited on the 5000K lights, it was worth it.
Very pleased with the color, not *** blue, but, there is a shade of blue, no doubt.
In the stock housing, the lamps are very aim-able, and cover a lot more of the periphery.
The color is more subtle, but brighter, and deeper . I experience a more "realistic" spectrum than the screaming stock yellow beams. The plug-n-play HID offers much better visibilty than I had before.
Also, my HUD can be dimmed way down, as there is much less contrast that I had with the yellow stock low-beams.
I am sure that there are better systems, but for $350.00, I can't think of a better mod, and have yet to PO oncoming traffic. Properly aimed, it has not been a factor.
NO COMPARISON to stock.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 5
From: Florida Gulf Coast
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'10-'11
I went with the same setup.
The HID's are a huge improvement and I was running Silverstars before.
These lights properly aimed are not a hazard and pose no oncoming glare. I have to agree that a projector setup is the best way and more efficient. I am very happy and have never been flashed by another on coming car. One of my best mods to date as well.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
I have owned about 15 sets of different HID's in my Supras and Lexus's and I can say this...If you get an HID do not get anything above 5000kelvin...Anything higher than that you are cutting your self short on the light and your gaining the blueish tint. I was going to do HID's on my FRC but decided to do the 9005 low beam mod and my light output is awsome. All for 60 dollars....I can also say that CATZ, and Vision kits are the worst kits you can buy aftermarket...I have tested them and measured light output on many types of pavement. The best HID kit out there was being sold by www.MVPmotorsports.com go under Supra MKIV and then lighting...The kits are out of stock at the moment but I am keeping close touch with Dusty CEO of MVP motorsports to find out when they will be released.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Sin City
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 0
From: over the water Cali
I picked mine up 3-4 yrs ago now from England. Autolamps-online i believe. Very good QA. Solid increase in light output 4300K. True some glare but there is a cut off on the sides and they are can be aimed.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 55,394
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by JTS97Z28
I know a LOT about HID's I have done my own retrofits using halogen housings and HID projectors. I can tell you this. Putting an HID bulb in your stock corvette housing (DOT, or Euro housing) will not improve lighting very much, however it WILL increase glare to very high and dangerous levels to oncomming traffic. These housings are not designed for HID light and capsules. The best most effective headlamp is the HID projector. I retrofitted a pair in my 97 Z28 Camaro from an Audi A3. Projectors provide very wide and even lighting with a sharp cutoff point leaving little to no glare for uncomming drivers. And if its that cool purplish/blue color you see from some uncomming HID equipped cars what your actually seeing is prism effect from the projector lens. HID cars that have a free-form housings do not do this like the Acura TL's and some of the older Mercedes.
Sorry for the short novel here, but I just wanted you to understand the logic of the different types of lighting. So if I didnt make it clear enough, just plugging an HID bulb into your stock housing will not improve lighting much at all if any. Save your money for a nice pair of the C5R HID setups or other fixed projector headlight setup.
Sorry for the short novel here, but I just wanted you to understand the logic of the different types of lighting. So if I didnt make it clear enough, just plugging an HID bulb into your stock housing will not improve lighting much at all if any. Save your money for a nice pair of the C5R HID setups or other fixed projector headlight setup.
tend to agree with JTS97Z28
In addition, Palerider's (http://www.intellexual.net/hid.html) does an impeccable job at supporting this post and my belief. I love seeing links that explain the true science behind the product instead of listening to junk science or just pure bs from people making false claims in order to sell you a bulb. Exellent job Palerider!
Now, with that said, I am not an HID fanatic. Even on my current C5, I dont have to have HID lights and I had no intentions of paying for a projector system. But I am thinking about the Specter Works C5R Replicas and I've been told by 2 owners who have these that the lamps are round and smaller and thus, the beam doesn't emit even like the C5 Stock lamps. The two owners purchased an HID system for $350 for that reason and according to them, the diff is night and day from the lamps that come with the C5R replicas and are also quite superior to the C5R stocklights. And that would be good enough for me.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
The links provided above are great sources of information and quite detailed. I have two questions that may be answered in the links but it may take some time to find it.
So in order to streamline my search, I have three questions for knowledgable members:
1. I would like to have the look of the BWM headlights in my C5 while keeping the flip up headlights. Is this possible?
2. If so, will they be legal?
3. Where can I find information on what is legal and illegal as far as the headlights go?
Thanks
So in order to streamline my search, I have three questions for knowledgable members:
1. I would like to have the look of the BWM headlights in my C5 while keeping the flip up headlights. Is this possible?
2. If so, will they be legal?
3. Where can I find information on what is legal and illegal as far as the headlights go?
Thanks
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by vettesrm
The links provided above are great sources of information and quite detailed. I have two questions that may be answered in the links but it may take some time to find it.
So in order to streamline my search, I have three questions for knowledgable members:
1. I would like to have the look of the BWM headlights in my C5 while keeping the flip up headlights. Is this possible?
2. If so, will they be legal?
3. Where can I find information on what is legal and illegal as far as the headlights go?
Thanks
So in order to streamline my search, I have three questions for knowledgable members:
1. I would like to have the look of the BWM headlights in my C5 while keeping the flip up headlights. Is this possible?
2. If so, will they be legal?
3. Where can I find information on what is legal and illegal as far as the headlights go?
Thanks
1. Sure with HID's in your flip up's it will put off that BMW blue look but I can tell you the vision through a non projector lens is way way worse then a prokector.
2. Sure they will be legal...Whats illegal is the sale of aftermarket HID's
3. Search yahoo and type in HID Laws.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
Thanks Kyle 99
So your saying I can have the blue lights. I'm assuming I won't change the lenses (Glass) that originally came on the headlights just the bulb, but the beam will be worse that what I have now?
So your saying I can have the blue lights. I'm assuming I won't change the lenses (Glass) that originally came on the headlights just the bulb, but the beam will be worse that what I have now?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,898
Likes: 5
From: Plainfield, IL
Vettesrm,
I think your confusing some things here. HID's are not "blue" lights. The HID's that you see that are very blue and purple are only cars equipped with projectors. As I stated in my previous post your seeing the prism effect from the projector lens. You will NOT get that color from an HID bulb put in a stock housing. Sure you will get the whiter HID color but not to the extent that I think you are thinking of. I did a pretty extensive retrofit in my 97 Camaro Z28. I bought all factory Audi HID projector components. Came with Hella ballasts and Philips D2S 4300K stock bulbs and Valeo projectors.
I think your confusing some things here. HID's are not "blue" lights. The HID's that you see that are very blue and purple are only cars equipped with projectors. As I stated in my previous post your seeing the prism effect from the projector lens. You will NOT get that color from an HID bulb put in a stock housing. Sure you will get the whiter HID color but not to the extent that I think you are thinking of. I did a pretty extensive retrofit in my 97 Camaro Z28. I bought all factory Audi HID projector components. Came with Hella ballasts and Philips D2S 4300K stock bulbs and Valeo projectors.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by JTS97Z28
Vettesrm,
I think your confusing some things here. HID's are not "blue" lights. The HID's that you see that are very blue and purple are only cars equipped with projectors. As I stated in my previous post your seeing the prism effect from the projector lens. You will NOT get that color from an HID bulb put in a stock housing. Sure you will get the whiter HID color but not to the extent that I think you are thinking of. I did a pretty extensive retrofit in my 97 Camaro Z28. I bought all factory Audi HID projector components. Came with Hella ballasts and Philips D2S 4300K stock bulbs and Valeo projectors.
I think your confusing some things here. HID's are not "blue" lights. The HID's that you see that are very blue and purple are only cars equipped with projectors. As I stated in my previous post your seeing the prism effect from the projector lens. You will NOT get that color from an HID bulb put in a stock housing. Sure you will get the whiter HID color but not to the extent that I think you are thinking of. I did a pretty extensive retrofit in my 97 Camaro Z28. I bought all factory Audi HID projector components. Came with Hella ballasts and Philips D2S 4300K stock bulbs and Valeo projectors.