HID vs. Stock Lights
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: UT
HID vs. Stock Lights
Gots a question for ya...
I'm sick of the stock "let's drive blindfolded at night" headlights.
I know that there are HID aftermarket kits out there. What can I put on my 99? Is there an amperage/voltage limit that I have to watch out for (i.e. 6000K)? Can our vettes support high output HID's? I've been told to stay away from the 9005/6 bulbs. I understand the very basics of the ignitor for the Xenon arc that make up the 'blue' HID. Any help would be appreciated.
I'm sick of the stock "let's drive blindfolded at night" headlights.
I know that there are HID aftermarket kits out there. What can I put on my 99? Is there an amperage/voltage limit that I have to watch out for (i.e. 6000K)? Can our vettes support high output HID's? I've been told to stay away from the 9005/6 bulbs. I understand the very basics of the ignitor for the Xenon arc that make up the 'blue' HID. Any help would be appreciated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,561
Likes: 447
From: Atlanta metro Ga.
Originally Posted by cheemsaf
Gots a question for ya...
I'm sick of the stock "let's drive blindfolded at night" headlights.
I know that there are HID aftermarket kits out there. What can I put on my 99? Is there an amperage/voltage limit that I have to watch out for (i.e. 6000K)? Can our vettes support high output HID's? I've been told to stay away from the 9005/6 bulbs. I understand the very basics of the ignitor for the Xenon arc that make up the 'blue' HID. Any help would be appreciated.
I'm sick of the stock "let's drive blindfolded at night" headlights.
I know that there are HID aftermarket kits out there. What can I put on my 99? Is there an amperage/voltage limit that I have to watch out for (i.e. 6000K)? Can our vettes support high output HID's? I've been told to stay away from the 9005/6 bulbs. I understand the very basics of the ignitor for the Xenon arc that make up the 'blue' HID. Any help would be appreciated.
A typical HID kit will look like a 35W bulb to the system.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,898
Likes: 5
From: Plainfield, IL
It is highly recommended that you make your own headlight harness. yes its true that HID lights use less power but this is ONLY after they are fully warmed up and on. The initial ignition of the HID bulb and ballast will put a lot of strain that can damage an electrical system. I made my own harness wired directly to battery.
Best output from HID would be in a projector system, but that can get expensive unless you make your own custom setup like I did. It was very time consuming and required lots of finesse, but in the end payed off. Supposedly there is a new HID projector headlight kit that is made for C5's that replace the regualr halogen housings and retain the popup lights. Look like nice kits but I also heard they are pricey. I paid under $500 for my complete HID projector setup using only OEM stuff. Valeo projectors, Hella Ballasts, Philips D2S bulbs.
Best output from HID would be in a projector system, but that can get expensive unless you make your own custom setup like I did. It was very time consuming and required lots of finesse, but in the end payed off. Supposedly there is a new HID projector headlight kit that is made for C5's that replace the regualr halogen housings and retain the popup lights. Look like nice kits but I also heard they are pricey. I paid under $500 for my complete HID projector setup using only OEM stuff. Valeo projectors, Hella Ballasts, Philips D2S bulbs.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by molson
I love my HID's..............
I have never been flashed by on coming cars or had any problems with them.
My high beams look orange when I flip between high/low beams.
I have never been flashed by on coming cars or had any problems with them.
My high beams look orange when I flip between high/low beams.
Is this on stck lenses with stock height position? Pics would be appreciated as well
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: UT
[QUOTE=JTS97Z28]It is highly recommended that you make your own headlight harness.
So you're saying that the initial ignition for the xenon requires more juice than the electrical system can tolerate in some instances? How did you go about making your own harness?
So you're saying that the initial ignition for the xenon requires more juice than the electrical system can tolerate in some instances? How did you go about making your own harness?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
[QUOTE=cheemsaf]
I just looked at that site and it states that the kid includes fuses that protect the electrical system from damage.. its in the kit descrition 
Originally Posted by JTS97Z28
It is highly recommended that you make your own headlight harness.
So you're saying that the initial ignition for the xenon requires more juice than the electrical system can tolerate in some instances? How did you go about making your own harness?
So you're saying that the initial ignition for the xenon requires more juice than the electrical system can tolerate in some instances? How did you go about making your own harness?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,898
Likes: 5
From: Plainfield, IL
Yes that is correct. Although it would work fine for some time they say that overtime you will be degrading your electrical components such as headlight switch, wiring, etc etc. The harness is pretty basic. You will have a + and - wire going to each ballast (totally independant of factory wiring), a relay with one wire that you connect into the factory 9006 plug to get your switched power for the relay, and a nice clean ground (total of 3 one for each ballast, one from the relay). The main 12volt power wire I attached directly to the 12volt source at the fuse box which is also wired directly to the battery. There is a nice diagram of a harness online somewhere if I can dig it up I will post.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,898
Likes: 5
From: Plainfield, IL
[QUOTE=cheemsaf]
Yes that is correct. Although it would work fine for some time they say that overtime you will be degrading your electrical components such as headlight switch, wiring, etc etc. The harness is pretty basic. You will have a + and - wire going to each ballast (totally independant of factory wiring), a relay with one wire that you connect into the factory 9006 plug to get your switched power for the relay, and a nice clean ground (total of 3 one for each ballast, one from the relay). The main 12volt power wire I attached directly to the 12volt source at the fuse box which is also wired directly to the battery. There is a nice diagram of a harness online somewhere if I can dig it up I will post.
Originally Posted by JTS97Z28
It is highly recommended that you make your own headlight harness.
So you're saying that the initial ignition for the xenon requires more juice than the electrical system can tolerate in some instances? How did you go about making your own harness?
So you're saying that the initial ignition for the xenon requires more juice than the electrical system can tolerate in some instances? How did you go about making your own harness?
Yes that is correct. Although it would work fine for some time they say that overtime you will be degrading your electrical components such as headlight switch, wiring, etc etc. The harness is pretty basic. You will have a + and - wire going to each ballast (totally independant of factory wiring), a relay with one wire that you connect into the factory 9006 plug to get your switched power for the relay, and a nice clean ground (total of 3 one for each ballast, one from the relay). The main 12volt power wire I attached directly to the 12volt source at the fuse box which is also wired directly to the battery. There is a nice diagram of a harness online somewhere if I can dig it up I will post.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,898
Likes: 5
From: Plainfield, IL
Originally Posted by Thrust NYC
I just looked at that site and it states that the kid includes fuses that protect the electrical system from damage.. its in the kit descrition
Well yeah but basically whats going to happen is you will blow a fuse everytime you fire up your headlights. Then you will put in a higher amp fuse in that will not blow but will now be allowing excessive loads on your stock electrical components.
Try for yourself, try firing up an HID light system with your stock 10amp headlight fuses, aint gonna happen.
Here is a diagram showing how to make a headlight harness.
Last edited by JTS97Z28; Sep 14, 2005 at 11:55 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 2
From: Indianapolis Indiana
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Originally Posted by JTS97Z28
It is highly recommended that you make your own headlight harness. yes its true that HID lights use less power but this is ONLY after they are fully warmed up and on. The initial ignition of the HID bulb and ballast will put a lot of strain that can damage an electrical system. I made my own harness wired directly to battery.
i did use the upgraded harness for the PIAA 1100x fogs.
Last edited by BQuicksilver; Sep 15, 2005 at 01:08 AM.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 718
Likes: 1
From: barrie ontario
Originally Posted by Thrust NYC
Is this on stck lenses with stock height position? Pics would be appreciated as well
I will buy projecters if and when someone makes them.
I adjusted my drivers side headlight slightly in and down just to be safe.
Also I used my kit with the stock 10 amp fuse and it works fine.
Recently I upgraded to a 20 amp fuse after reading a post on here that I might blow the 10.
I only did this to avoid the possibility of getting stranded with no lights.
I have the 4300K kit and it is a HUGE improvement over stock.
The white lines on the road almost glow.
sorry no pics @ this time.Will try to get some soon.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,898
Likes: 5
From: Plainfield, IL
Originally Posted by BQuicksilver
I've run HID's (Catz) on stock wiring for well over 50,000 miles. No issues whatsoever. you will be fine starting and running an HID setup.
i did use the upgraded harness for the PIAA 1100x fogs.
i did use the upgraded harness for the PIAA 1100x fogs.
Yeah you can get away with stock wiring. I even did in my Z28 for like 2 years. Its just added piece of mind because if something does happen to the original electrical setup good luck fixing that. Besides, its best to give the HID's the cleanest power which is directly to the battery as a new headlight harness does. My point is, the stock wiring was NOT designed to handle the loads that HID's require at startup and even though it may take a long time for something to happen, you risk damaging your stock wiring. Just a recommendation from me. Its cheap and easy to make your own.
JT
P.S. here is a sweet pic I took of the output and cutoff of my Valeo HID projector setup in my vette. Try getting this output from your stock halogen housings
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 743
Likes: 1
From: Bartlett IL
Originally Posted by JTS97Z28
Best output from HID would be in a projector system, but that can get expensive unless you make your own custom setup like I did. It was very time consuming and required lots of finesse, but in the end payed off. Supposedly there is a new HID projector headlight kit that is made for C5's that replace the regualr halogen housings and retain the popup lights. Look like nice kits but I also heard they are pricey. I paid under $500 for my complete HID projector setup using only OEM stuff. Valeo projectors, Hella Ballasts, Philips D2S bulbs.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,898
Likes: 5
From: Plainfield, IL
Originally Posted by Thrust NYC
- really interested in seeing Molson's setup. I wonder what the light pattern looks like on the road... is it scattered or like horizontally linear like the output out of a projector....?
The light is VERY scattered and has literally no beam pattern at all. Lots of unwanted glare for oncomming drivers as well. The output of projectors is excellent if you look in my pics above. There is no light whatsoever above the cutoff line. Very little glare!
here is a picture of my housings just before I mounted the clear lexan outter lens over the low beam projector side. Turned out awesome.
