European export headlights??
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,151
Likes: 1
From: N.CHARLESTON SC
European export headlights??
This is my first corvette and would love to improve the lighting.Should I go with non popup headlights or glass headlamps from Ecklers.Tried the "high intensity"bulbs and could'nt really tell any difference :seeya
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,266
Likes: 156
From: Galloway Twp. NJ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: European export headlights?? (TIKTGTR)
I installed the export T84 headlights with the 130w APC bulbs, I got them from LAPD.
They are much better than the stock US headlights. :cheers:
They are much better than the stock US headlights. :cheers:
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 16,723
Likes: 1
From: Redacted
Re: European export headlights?? (TIKTGTR)
I'd be very careful about uprating the bulb wattage - there's a possibility of damaging the wiring, especially ground wiring on your vette.
If you just want to change bulbs, Sylvania Silverstars produce a brighter/whiter light at the same power as a standard bulb.
Look in this thread for an instance of what might happen:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=431363
I don't know for certain if his problem was caused by the bulbs, but it is the most likely culprit.
If you just want to change bulbs, Sylvania Silverstars produce a brighter/whiter light at the same power as a standard bulb.
Look in this thread for an instance of what might happen:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=431363
I don't know for certain if his problem was caused by the bulbs, but it is the most likely culprit.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,564
Likes: 1
From: San Leandro California
Re: European export headlights?? (TIKTGTR)
This is my first corvette and would love to improve the lighting. Should I go with non popup headlights or glass headlamps from Ecklers. Tried the "high intensity" bulbs and couldn’t really tell any difference :seeya
I first installed the APC units. This was a nice upgrade but seemed to get a few flashes from people on the road. Also there was the problem with the higher wattage causing problems with the electrical wiring (many say you need to upgrade the harness for this). Then I bought a set of Specter Werkes non-popup C5R lights. They where sweet! Alas, I never installed them as I finally figured that what I *REALLY* wanted was a HID setup and I really wanted to keep the Vette's Pop-up headlights (call me traditional). So, I sold the C5R lights (to a now very happy forum member) and turned around and bought the Euro/HID/PIAA setup from LAPD. I have say that I feel I made the right choice.
The lighting on the road is really crystal clear. Rain is No problem at all and I do not get "Flashers" anymore. :jester
Btw, you can now get the C5R lights with HID. I believe they run around 2K for that setup. This does not include the PIAA fog lamps either.
:cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 883
Likes: 3
From: wilmington DE
Re: European export headlights?? (TIKTGTR)
The first lighting upgrade I made was APC high wattage bulbs. They were ok, but didn't give me enough light. Next I added PIAA 1100X driving lights.
This was a big improvement. This year I swapped the headlights to Euros with high wattage bulbs. This involved adding a wiring harness, but it was an easy 2-hour project. These lights make a HUGE difference.
I looked into HID, but couldn't find a plug & play setup that provided both high & low beams.
This was a big improvement. This year I swapped the headlights to Euros with high wattage bulbs. This involved adding a wiring harness, but it was an easy 2-hour project. These lights make a HUGE difference.
I looked into HID, but couldn't find a plug & play setup that provided both high & low beams.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,041
Likes: 0
From: Charleston SC
Re: European export headlights?? (stevenll)
I got lucky on this one. Shortly after I bought my year 2000 I was doing a back road fast night run. The light level was scary for this type of driving, and a near miss of a deer settled the matter. At that time, you could get the full European export setup for both the headlights and foglights from Fitchner at a very reasonable price. So I got all of that stuff, substituted the PIAA H4 Super White Platinum Series Twin Pack, 80/80 watt - #1568 headlight bulbs for stock and installed the new lighting. I ended up with a stock export setup except for the brighter bulbs with stock wiring. The full headlight assembly is just a three bolt install per side. The foglights, also much better than domestic, only required a new plug from Fitchner. Functionally, this works great.
However, shortly after this GM jacked the prices way up for this stuff. I forget the amount, but it would have precluded this option for me. Anyhow, for anyone with deep pockets, this is a very straightforward way to get good lighting in a basically stock configuration, just export rather than domestic.
However, shortly after this GM jacked the prices way up for this stuff. I forget the amount, but it would have precluded this option for me. Anyhow, for anyone with deep pockets, this is a very straightforward way to get good lighting in a basically stock configuration, just export rather than domestic.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,151
Likes: 1
From: N.CHARLESTON SC
Re: European export headlights?? (Umrswimr)
Thanks for all the input and suggestions :yesnod: I went to lapd's web site and they are currently having a special on euro headlights with the HID and Piaa 1100 foglights for under a thousand bucks :cool: When I get back from Germany;thats what I'm getting!!Thanks everybody!! :seeya
Pro
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 518
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area CA
Re: European export headlights?? (TIKTGTR)
You can't go wrong with that setup :D Same setup I have. To be honest, I'm not the biggest fan of the beam pattern on the euro headlamps. I like a symetrical pattern and not cut off on the passenger side. I guess its hard to see what I mean without a pic. They do spread out the light alot better though.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Sin City
Re: European export headlights?? (stevenll)
I looked into HID, but couldn't find a plug & play setup that provided both high & low beams.
Instructor
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: Woodbridge Virginia
Re: European export headlights?? (TIKTGTR)
Try this link: :yesnod:
http://www.dontbuyhere.com/store/mer...ory_Code=VTEXT
http://www.dontbuyhere.com/store/mer...ory_Code=VTEXT
Instructor
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: Woodbridge Virginia
Re: European export headlights?? (bradfordjr)
Sorry about that other link - try this one:
http://www.dontbuyhere.com/store/merchant.mv
http://www.dontbuyhere.com/store/merchant.mv
