Weak c6 headlights
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 2
From: Huntsville AL
Weak c6 headlights
I had an '05 c6, and now have an '08 c6. My complaint with both these cars is the extremely poor lighting.... In fact, if there were any one thing i would ask chevy to do to the corvette, it would be "fix the lights!"
is there anything one can do, or is there some "retrofit" kit to upgrade the headlights? Compared with my merc slk, (bi-xenons) and my merc ml (also bi-xenon) i would rate the intensity ofthe c6 lights at less than 50% of these cars. My 2004 porsche c4s had even better lights!
(for the record, the thrill of driving the c6 is at lease twice as great as any of the other cars mentioned... Love the vette (in the daytime)).
Ok, here in the usa we are forced to drive slowly... But consider driving one of these on the autobahn at night, doing 150mph plus, with 70mph lights... It'd be suicide!
is there anything one can do, or is there some "retrofit" kit to upgrade the headlights? Compared with my merc slk, (bi-xenons) and my merc ml (also bi-xenon) i would rate the intensity ofthe c6 lights at less than 50% of these cars. My 2004 porsche c4s had even better lights!
(for the record, the thrill of driving the c6 is at lease twice as great as any of the other cars mentioned... Love the vette (in the daytime)).
Ok, here in the usa we are forced to drive slowly... But consider driving one of these on the autobahn at night, doing 150mph plus, with 70mph lights... It'd be suicide!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,277
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From: (d/fw) tx
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 2
From: Huntsville AL
I agree, the low-beams are ok... But to me the hi's are really weak... This car really needs bi-xenons. Anyone know of an available retrofit kit? Anyone know how one could maybe take the light assy's (just the xenon part, without reflector) from another make of car, and retrofit so that it wouldn't be noticeable?
(try out any european car with bi-xenons... Even a golf gti has better lights than the vette! (and, i love my vette except for the lights)!
(try out any european car with bi-xenons... Even a golf gti has better lights than the vette! (and, i love my vette except for the lights)!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,898
Likes: 5
From: Plainfield, IL
Wow is this post a joke???? LOL the Corvette lights are VERY good headlights!! They finally added High Intensity Discharge projector headlamps for the C6. Infact these projectors are said to be one of the better as far as beam width and down road intensity.
Every car I have owned for several years has had factory HID projector headlamps and the Corvettes are as good if not better than any other. OEM projectors are usually either made by Hella, Valeo, or Bosch. The Corvettes are made by Valeo which are the same used in Audi for example.
I do agree Bi-Xenons would be nice in the vette however I was VERY impressed the high beam projector output. Down the road illumination is better than any car I have been in (and they are halogen to)!! So I guess I disagree with you on poor low beam and high beams!
Every car I have owned for several years has had factory HID projector headlamps and the Corvettes are as good if not better than any other. OEM projectors are usually either made by Hella, Valeo, or Bosch. The Corvettes are made by Valeo which are the same used in Audi for example.
I do agree Bi-Xenons would be nice in the vette however I was VERY impressed the high beam projector output. Down the road illumination is better than any car I have been in (and they are halogen to)!! So I guess I disagree with you on poor low beam and high beams!
Last edited by JTS97Z28; Nov 22, 2008 at 03:21 PM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 2
From: Huntsville AL
Hi.
Actually, no, it isn't a joke, but a serious enquiry if anyone knows how to make them better... I guess i've just been spoiled by the excellent lights on the other cars i have ... This posting isn't meant to "knock" the vette... I really like my vette... More than any of the other cars! It's fun to drive, cheap to run and service, has lots of interior space, ample power... ) it's just this one point that really disappoints me... Sorry guys!
Actually, no, it isn't a joke, but a serious enquiry if anyone knows how to make them better... I guess i've just been spoiled by the excellent lights on the other cars i have ... This posting isn't meant to "knock" the vette... I really like my vette... More than any of the other cars! It's fun to drive, cheap to run and service, has lots of interior space, ample power... ) it's just this one point that really disappoints me... Sorry guys!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 12,999
Likes: 1
From: Youngstown Ohio
You sir have a night time vision problem. Better see an eye doctor SOON!!! Compared to my 03 coupe the 08 that I now own has far superior headlights. Viva HID's.
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From: Southlake Texas
Pro
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Ann Arbor MI
My current project is to make a wiring harness that ties the battery directly into the high beams. My intention is to run some 12 gauge wire thru a remote solenoid using the stock wires to trigger them. I will then install some 100 watt bulbs.
I did this on my motorcycle some years ago, and the effect is dramatic. Running a 55/100 H4 bulb, I could luminate traffic signs during the day when I would switch to HB.
Getting current directly from the battery using larger gauge wire is the fix.
I did this on my motorcycle some years ago, and the effect is dramatic. Running a 55/100 H4 bulb, I could luminate traffic signs during the day when I would switch to HB.
Getting current directly from the battery using larger gauge wire is the fix.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 2
From: Huntsville AL
Thanks, tjl5709... Seems like maybe you have experienced the same. I'd really appreciate it if you would keep me posted as to the results of your "fix". Again, thank you!
No joke guys... I have 20 / 20 vision... (have to, as i'm a pilot (without corrective lenses!)). If you have time, get down to your local merc / bmw / other eurocar dealer one evening, and drive a euro car with bi-xenons; you'd understand what i mean. Again, i'm not detracting from the vette... But there are many many many cars out there with far better lights! To me, the vette's lights just don't match the potential performance.
No joke guys... I have 20 / 20 vision... (have to, as i'm a pilot (without corrective lenses!)). If you have time, get down to your local merc / bmw / other eurocar dealer one evening, and drive a euro car with bi-xenons; you'd understand what i mean. Again, i'm not detracting from the vette... But there are many many many cars out there with far better lights! To me, the vette's lights just don't match the potential performance.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,247
Likes: 8
From: Austin TX
i've driven several HID cars, some with auto-leveling and manual leveling. I can say the C6 has the highest cut off than any, meaning there's more light higher than the other cars. I can also spot a C6 approaching me at night almost instantly since the lights are annoyingly high and bright.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,146
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta
ok well reguardless of how much the rest of us like the headlights, if you want to make yours brighter then thats completely up to you. it is definitly possible to convert the high beams to HID also. i know that some of the companies that sell the fog light conversion kits can also get you a kit to do your high beams. try a search here and in the for sale section for HID fogs. good luck and post up some pics if you do this mod so you can enlighten the rest of us. (sorry)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 6
From: Waynesville NC
I think because the low beams are so exceptional on the C-6, its high beams compare somewhat inferior. It could also be that your high beams are not aligned properly. A friend of mine's MB S500 has really crappy HID lights but I think his car was damaged in the front end which may have affected the headlight pattern.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
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From: Springfield MO
My C6 is 1000% better then the C5 I had. Those were a joke. At times I was tempted to duct tape a couple of flashlights onto the hood so I could get home if is was dark outside. Best lights on a car I've owned was a 1991 Honda Civic.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,189
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From: Northwest Arkansas
I've thought just the opposite... my low beams are sufficient but seem to just hit a dark wall about 100 feet in front of the car; however, the high beams completely light up everything in my field of view for as far as I can see...
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,500
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From: Scottsdale AZ