Headlights upgrade
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,339
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
My cheapest and easy install 'upgrade' was replacing the headlights bulbs with Sylvania Silverstar Ultra (9005 &9006), installing Radioflyer Hi-4 Harness(allows low beam to be on with high beam) and installed Radioflyer LED fog light upgrade bulbs.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 21
Likes: 7
You can trim the middle outside tab and remove the inside ribs on a 9005 (65W high beam) bulb so it fits in the low beam (9005 55W low beam) position: this is a minor improvement, but still not good by modern standards. I'd also use a long life 9005: they tend to target a much shorter lifetime due to infrequent use, and that would be annoying for using often. I used this solution for a while before moving to Knightdrivetv LED lights, which are quite good but also not very cheap.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,339
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 111
Likes: 50
From: Thunder Bay
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I recently installed a set of Fahren 9005/9006 LED bulbs and a set of Auxito 880 LED fog lamps from Amazon. All are considerably brighter than stock and cost me about $140 CAD.
The fogs work great. A couple of issues with the headlights:
1. If twilight sentinel is on the lead lights won't flip back down sometimes when on low beam. If you switch to high beams before shutting car off, they'll always go back down on their own.
2. The Fahren LEDs have a turnable base with set screw. I don't know if they came misaligned or twisted during initial install...(I let my teenage son start installing them and then noticed the LED chips weren't at 3 and 9 o'clock)
3. Beam spread....they light up the world (which is awesome), but I got flashed a few times on my x-country trip. Not sure if it's truly beam spread or just people not happy and need to complain about something/anything.
To be sure, I intend to replace the entire housings with ACA Bi-LEDs at some point but at $1000 CAD...they're a bit lower on my priority list since I rarely drive at night anyway. Hope this helps.
The fogs work great. A couple of issues with the headlights:
1. If twilight sentinel is on the lead lights won't flip back down sometimes when on low beam. If you switch to high beams before shutting car off, they'll always go back down on their own.
2. The Fahren LEDs have a turnable base with set screw. I don't know if they came misaligned or twisted during initial install...(I let my teenage son start installing them and then noticed the LED chips weren't at 3 and 9 o'clock)
3. Beam spread....they light up the world (which is awesome), but I got flashed a few times on my x-country trip. Not sure if it's truly beam spread or just people not happy and need to complain about something/anything.
To be sure, I intend to replace the entire housings with ACA Bi-LEDs at some point but at $1000 CAD...they're a bit lower on my priority list since I rarely drive at night anyway. Hope this helps.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 768
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From: Newport Beach, Southern California
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,398
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From: Dyer, IN
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 12,414
Likes: 1,750
From: DFW TX
I did the Silverstar route and it's good 'nuff for city use; where there is lots of ambient light. I have a set of good-quality LEDs and a relay sitting on the shelf I will try next. The identical bulbs did a most excellent job in my family vehicle recently - excellent beam pattern, no scatter. I drive the Vette @ night so infrequently it's not worth the $700+ for the custom aftermarket setups.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 768
Likes: 6
From: Newport Beach, Southern California
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,659
Likes: 684
From: Pingree Grove IL
I just installed sylvania silver star ultra, I’m getting a buzzing sound at my fuse box when I one click the lights up. Buzzing sound doesn’t go away, second click, lights turn on, buzzing sound goes away. Any ideas what it could be?
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,659
Likes: 684
From: Pingree Grove IL
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,659
Likes: 684
From: Pingree Grove IL
Reinstall the old low beams??? See what happens? What you guys think?
those are regular ol' incandescents. I have the same.