Headlight upgrades in 2018
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 801
Likes: 31
Headlight upgrades in 2018
What are the best options for upgrading the headlights in a 1997-2004 C5 corvette? I want to keep to the pop up lights if possible.
Radioflyer
JW Motorsports
Any other options?
Radioflyer
JW Motorsports
Any other options?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 788
Likes: 105
From: Olathe Kansas
I used the H12/H11 bulbs.. You just have to modify the the "ear" on the bulb itself.. It 's plug just like oem other than that.
I just couldn't justify $500+ for something I don't drive at night a bunch...
But the reviews on the radioflyer set ups are very positive.
I just couldn't justify $500+ for something I don't drive at night a bunch...
But the reviews on the radioflyer set ups are very positive.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,547
Likes: 896
From: Republic of Texas
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
I'm the same... rarely drive in the dark, so can't (and/or won't) justify loads of money. Do these bulbs cause issues with oncoming traffic, or is that another type? Which number is the low beam (I literally never drive in the dark where high beams are needed).
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,888
Likes: 21
From: Olathe, Kansas
No other mods , other then the ear on the bulb? Is it a bright white light or does it have a bluish tint?
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 365
From: SF Bay Area
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
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From: Hickory NC
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We have a fair numbers of times that we end up driving at night when returning from different shows/meets/get togethers, etc. I tried MostPlus HIR 9012/9011 and they were an improvement but finally switched over to the RadioFlyer lights and there is a night and day difference (pun intended 
).
I also considered the JW Motorsports ACA set up, but to their credit, they were very upfront and advised me their high beams could not be aligned. For the most part, probably no biggie since the upgraded low beams are good by themselves, but we're covered with mountains and some nice twisty roads to the North and West of us and being able to have the high and low beams (using the Hi4 harness) on at the same time really brightens things up on those roads.
).I also considered the JW Motorsports ACA set up, but to their credit, they were very upfront and advised me their high beams could not be aligned. For the most part, probably no biggie since the upgraded low beams are good by themselves, but we're covered with mountains and some nice twisty roads to the North and West of us and being able to have the high and low beams (using the Hi4 harness) on at the same time really brightens things up on those roads.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 169
From: SE VA VA
Another vote for RadioFlyer bi-xenon.
Installed them last year. Should have done it way before then.
Had planned on installing his exterior and fog kits this week, but that free cash went to replacing the water pump instead..
Installed them last year. Should have done it way before then.
Had planned on installing his exterior and fog kits this week, but that free cash went to replacing the water pump instead..
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,373
Likes: 1,128
From: cold & windy
honestly, probably a $20 eBay HID kit i've seen a few guys on here recommend as a decent set & the beamtech LEDs with the passive heat sinks.
but these are a good ways down the list of junk to get did... and i mean WAY down, so don't expect any reviews soon. i did do one on a $10 LED fog option i tried out a few weeks ago, though.
but these are a good ways down the list of junk to get did... and i mean WAY down, so don't expect any reviews soon. i did do one on a $10 LED fog option i tried out a few weeks ago, though.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 365
From: SF Bay Area
honestly, probably a $20 eBay HID kit i've seen a few guys on here recommend as a decent set & the beamtech LEDs with the passive heat sinks.
but these are a good ways down the list of junk to get did... and i mean WAY down, so don't expect any reviews soon. i did do one on a $10 LED fog option i tried out a few weeks ago, though.
but these are a good ways down the list of junk to get did... and i mean WAY down, so don't expect any reviews soon. i did do one on a $10 LED fog option i tried out a few weeks ago, though.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,373
Likes: 1,128
From: cold & windy
haha... as soon as i saw you replied, i knew exactly what'd be there when i opened it.
i never said it'd be comparable or in any way related to a full-on HID retrofit, however, in my research, i'll definitely ensure where the focal point of the lamps are in relation to the stock halogens - which, as a fellow lighting engineer, i know you can understand mitigates some of the glare & beam scatter because it's being focused at the same point as the previous light source. on top of that, i know how to properly adjust and aim them. don't worry!
i never said it'd be comparable or in any way related to a full-on HID retrofit, however, in my research, i'll definitely ensure where the focal point of the lamps are in relation to the stock halogens - which, as a fellow lighting engineer, i know you can understand mitigates some of the glare & beam scatter because it's being focused at the same point as the previous light source. on top of that, i know how to properly adjust and aim them. don't worry!
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 365
From: SF Bay Area
haha... as soon as i saw you replied, i knew exactly what'd be there when i opened it.
i never said it'd be comparable or in any way related to a full-on HID retrofit, however, in my research, i'll definitely ensure where the focal point of the lamps are in relation to the stock halogens - which, as a fellow lighting engineer, i know you can understand mitigates some of the glare & beam scatter because it's being focused at the same point as the previous light source. on top of that, i know how to properly adjust and aim them. don't worry!
i never said it'd be comparable or in any way related to a full-on HID retrofit, however, in my research, i'll definitely ensure where the focal point of the lamps are in relation to the stock halogens - which, as a fellow lighting engineer, i know you can understand mitigates some of the glare & beam scatter because it's being focused at the same point as the previous light source. on top of that, i know how to properly adjust and aim them. don't worry!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,373
Likes: 1,128
From: cold & windy
out of curiosity, do you mind clarifying your orientation statement?
HIDs have the contacts arc in a plane parallel to the glass protrusion from the base (for lack of better descriptors), and the H9 halogen (9006/5, too, for that matter) have the filament strung in a likewise manner
not the best picture, but it's quick & shows an example of each
for focus, the important factor is making sure the xenon arc is centered at the same distance from the base as the filament. same goes with judging LEDs.
as for power, some of the newer design LEDs have managed to produce outputs rivaling HIRs or better.
HIDs have the contacts arc in a plane parallel to the glass protrusion from the base (for lack of better descriptors), and the H9 halogen (9006/5, too, for that matter) have the filament strung in a likewise manner
not the best picture, but it's quick & shows an example of each
for focus, the important factor is making sure the xenon arc is centered at the same distance from the base as the filament. same goes with judging LEDs.
as for power, some of the newer design LEDs have managed to produce outputs rivaling HIRs or better.