I could never go back to the stock C5 lighting. 
dim head lights
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
dim head lights
I'm a newb owner of a Z06 03 . while driving home from the purchase i wasn't sure if it was dim headlights, my 50 yr old eyeballs , or being tired from the 9 hr/605 mile trip .but is there a brighter replacement bulbs ? if so any recommendations ? thanks
Tech Contributor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 10,924
Likes: 78
From: Forney Texas
Sylvania makes a bright replacement or you can change to HID lights which is what I did. Many have issues with their headlight doors not lowering, but I used the Mculloch HID system and never had that issue. HID's make an incredible difference.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,032
Likes: 9,790
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Or you can re-aim the lights. I re-aimed the lights on my car and installed the Sylvania Silver Stars. The result is I have a lot more light out front which reaches out far enough that I could stop my car from 80 mph without hitting something I saw in the road.
Bill
Bill
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 21,915
Likes: 61
From: Miami Beach FL
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Portage WI
As stated above headlight alignment should be checked and adjusted to optimize the avalable output. That said, I have the 9011 bulbs in both hi and low beam positions. Much improved output in lumens of useable light. I haven't used the Silver Star but they are popular as well. For the fog lights, 855 bulbs are an improvement and an easy swap. You will also need to adjust the fog light aim much higher than they come from the dealer.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
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
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Portage WI
I will also add that there is a wiring harness which will provide power right from the battery or alternator with "larger wires", and that will also make some improvement to headlight brightness. This is offered with a relay built in to allow both the hi and low beams to be illuminated at the same time. This is a plug and play easy install of less than an hour. I installed this harness after the bulb change and it did help improve the light output with power right from the source.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 21,915
Likes: 61
From: Miami Beach FL
I will also add that there is a wiring harness which will provide power right from the battery or alternator with "larger wires", and that will also make some improvement to headlight brightness. This is offered with a relay built in to allow both the hi and low beams to be illuminated at the same time. This is a plug and play easy install of less than an hour. I installed this harness after the bulb change and it did help improve the light output with power right from the source.
Where did you purchase the harness and who is the manufacturer?
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Portage WI
There may be a supporting vendor here but I got mine before I was really active on this great site. I got my harness from Competition Limited in Traverse City, MI. Part number WR9005/6A and was $59.95 plus 8 bucks shipping. I also paid 15.95 for him to modify the harness to allow both hi and low beams to be on together. I also bought some "hi output" bulbs there which I DO NOT recomend. The 9011 bulbs from NAPA are the best output in lumins I have found and far exceed any I have installed to date. Phone number 231 943-0810. Good luck I hope this helps. Ron
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 21,915
Likes: 61
From: Miami Beach FL
There may be a supporting vendor here but I got mine before I was really active on this great site. I got my harness from Competition Limited in Traverse City, MI. Part number WR9005/6A and was $59.95 plus 8 bucks shipping. I also paid 15.95 for him to modify the harness to allow both hi and low beams to be on together. I also bought some "hi output" bulbs there which I DO NOT recomend. The 9011 bulbs from NAPA are the best output in lumins I have found and far exceed any I have installed to date. Phone number 231 943-0810. Good luck I hope this helps. Ron
