C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Lighting

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 2, 2002 | 11:31 AM
  #1  
skidmarc's Avatar
skidmarc
Thread Starter
Drifting
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,651
Likes: 0
From: Ocean County NJ
Default Lighting

I am trying to decide what lighting improvements to do on my C5 and considering Euro headlamps, Philips HID, and the PIAA fogs......so I have a few q's:

Will I loose my highbeams? What combo works best? Do I need the Euro headlamps for HIDs to be effective? Are they worth the $? Easy to install? Do they make a huge difference?

Thanks for any input guys!

:confused:
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2002 | 01:19 PM
  #2  
THRAP 42's Avatar
THRAP 42
Pro
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 736
Likes: 0
From: Breese Illinois
Default Re: Lighting (skidmarc)

Skidmarc,
Hi ya. I've got the T-84s on mine and really like them (upgraded the bulbs to the APC H4's from LAPD). Really notice a big difference and like the light spread of the beam on the exports. The H4 bulbs are Hi/Lo in one bulb so you won't lose any capability. Also, the T-84's are glass and the CONUS versions are plastic. Picked up the T-84's here on the forum for $75.00. Only thing I would recommend is that you also purchase the harness, it's a heavier wire and will withstand the higher draw. I built my own and in hindsight would buy the harness. Install is easy, 3 screws on each assembly to remove it and the same for installation, aim them and you're in business. If you want to build your own I have a diagram that will show you the layout, just let me know.

I like the HIDs but can't justify the cost.

later,
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2002 | 02:09 PM
  #3  
wrrvette's Avatar
wrrvette
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 0
From: camp sanchez il
Default Re: Lighting (skidmarc)

You might want to try the Sylvania Silver Star bulbs. I replaced the stock bulbs with them and they are really good and cost 19.99 each but get a 10.00 rebate per pair.
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2002 | 02:16 PM
  #4  
skidmarc's Avatar
skidmarc
Thread Starter
Drifting
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,651
Likes: 0
From: Ocean County NJ
Default Re: Lighting (wrrvette)

what exactly are the sylvania siler stars?
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2002 | 02:56 PM
  #5  
wrrvette's Avatar
wrrvette
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 0
From: camp sanchez il
Default Re: Lighting (skidmarc)

Just a brighter halogen bulb. You can get them at Auto Zone and alot of other stores that carry auto parts. I really like them and the cost wasn't off the wall.
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2002 | 05:16 PM
  #6  
C5 StockSwap's Avatar
C5 StockSwap
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,718
Likes: 2
From: Flower Mound TX
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Default Re: Lighting (wrrvette)

Just some advice on SilverStars...I bought into the "brighter bulb" frenzy, only to be disappointed. If you search for silverstars, you will find several people that put them in and then went back to stock bulbs. I left mine in for now, but I am not impressed.

JMHO,

Steve
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2002 | 07:15 PM
  #7  
skidmarc's Avatar
skidmarc
Thread Starter
Drifting
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,651
Likes: 0
From: Ocean County NJ
Default Re: Lighting (C5 StockSwap)

Hmm I was just investigating the silverstars.....was going to order them but now hesitant.....

Also I found the Phillips HID lighting system for $640 which is cheapest I have seen them.....and as an added plus they are 6000k's of light....I am not sure but do think that the ones on the mall are only 4200k's of light...can anyone confirm???????

I am thinking that the euro lamps and phillips HID might be the best way to go......any input???????????
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2002 | 08:36 PM
  #8  
rickvette's Avatar
rickvette
Racer
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 498
Likes: 3
From: huntington NY
Default Re: Lighting (wrrvette)

I did the Sylvania Silver Star upgrade on both high and low beams. I can atest to a much whiter light that if you do a side by side comparison with the factory lighting the Silver Stars are easily 25% whiter/brighter! I can actually see now at night compared to the pitiful factory lighting arrangement. As mentioned, they ran me 19.95 each with a $10.00 rebate on a pair. The low beams are 9006's and the high beams 9005's. For $60.00 I feel I got my monies worth. I would never go back to the original factory Sylvania bulbs.

:yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod:
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Dec 2, 2002 | 11:59 PM
  #9  
silversport's Avatar
silversport
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,565
Likes: 2
From: Chicagoland Illinois
Default Re: Lighting (rickvette)

I did the SilverStar upgrade on both my Avalanche and my 'Vette...I like the color (no, not blue) but not really any "brighter." I was somewhat disappointed as well. Nice color, things you look at appear truer in their color but as for seeing farther down the road or lighting up more...didn't do it. :chevy :flag :seeya
Reply
Old Dec 3, 2002 | 12:22 AM
  #10  
Avanti's Avatar
Avanti
Race Director
25 Year Member
Community Builder
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,882
Likes: 6,686
From: Bonneville Salt Flats
Default Re: Lighting (silversport)

Correct, whiter or "bluer" doesn't translate to brighter. I read a lighting engineer's article in a motorcycle magazine that said without more actual lumensand/or a different shaped beam the fad of whiter/blue light is marketing hype and does NOT improve what one can actually see.

Just my .02 worth, but if you subjectively like something--go with it, Grasshopper! :yesnod:
Reply
Old Dec 3, 2002 | 12:30 AM
  #11  
Bill Dearborn's Avatar
Bill Dearborn
Tech Contributor
25 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 40,995
Likes: 9,759
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Default Re: Lighting (Avanti)

You can see that in the before and after lighting pictures in the Mid America catalog. In the before picture you can see a certain number of the center highway stripes in the after picture you don't see any more stripes but they are whiter which isn't really any better. The one thing they do well is blind the oncoming driver.
Bill
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Lighting





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:16 AM.

story-0
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-20 17:58:41


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

Slideshow: 10 things C8 Corvette owners hate, but won't tell you.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-01 18:36:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

Slideshow: Should you add one of these incredible Corvettes to your garage?

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-01 18:14:05


VIEW MORE
story-7
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

Slideshow: Breaking down the 2027 Grand Sport, Grand Sport X, Stingray, and LS6 V8.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-03-26 13:48:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

Slideshow: 5 reasons bad drivers crash sports cars & 5 ways to avoid a costly shame!

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-25 16:32:55


VIEW MORE