GM'er

So I decided I wanted to install LED reverse lights on my 2012 Grand Sport. I like the look of LED's, and I always back into my garage, so I was hoping for something a little brighter than stock.

So my search began for the brightest reverse LED's out there. Of course I checked the claims of all of the forum vendors, then I began to research the individual LED's they were using in their units, and others. Here is a brief overview of what I found. There are several models of LED units that are common to just about every 3157 socket LED I found. Here is what my research uncovered to the best of my knowledge in terms of brightness:

3528 LED, 8 Lumen, 0.1 Watt (many First gen, ie 60 LED bulbs)
5050 LED, 20 Lumen, 0.2 Watt (most common current LED's)
2323 LED, 51 Lumen, 0.5 Watt (harder to find, but brighter)
5630 LED, 50 Lumen, 0.5 Watt (Identified by their rectangular shape)
Cree XP-G LED, 450 Lumen, 5 Watt

Looking at a couple 3157 socket LED's, I found several of the newer ones that are getting into the 7.5 to 10 watt area in total. When you look at what these look like, you will see most are using a Cree LED at the end facing directly out, then some combination of other LED's facing radially to take advantage of the reflector in the reverse light housing.

What I ultimately found on FLeebay (in the USA even), was a 3157 socket that used 5 Cree LED's. One facing out, and 4 more positioned radially around, and was listed at 25 watts, almost the same as the stock bulb. If you want to find what I used, do a search for Cree 3157 25w xenon

Below are some side by side pictures of my install. With a stock bulb on one side and the 5 Cree LED bulb on the other. One thing I could not find in any other pictures, was a picture of something being lit up by the bulb, instead of just taking a picture directly into the bulb (which really does not show how it lights things up behind you). The pictures taken on the back wall of the garage are from a distance of about 2 to 3 feet away. You can certainly see there is more of a pattern to the light as the LED seems to pick up the "ribbing" that is in the Corvette lens more than the stock bulb does. Also in the pictures you can see my LED license plate lights from JWMotoring, and my Grand Sport Plate frame from RPI.

The one thing I still have no idea of, is which of the currently available LED's is the brightest in our Corvette's. What we really need is a side by side shootout with someone who has access to all of the different LED's out there. I have no idea if these are brighter than any other LED's out there, or not.

Hope this helps someone else looking to do an LED upgrade.

JW Motorsports

Post a pic of that bulb if you took one. We've started using the Cree LEDs for other cars that we sell for with positive feedback.

Thanks for the mention btw.

GM'er

JW Motorsports

Yeah I offer those for the c5. I had plans to release the c6 version soon. Looks promising based on your pics.

GM'er

No problem on the mention. The licence plate LED's were part of the full interior kit I got from you. White maps, footwells, and rear cargo lights already installed, along with the license plate lights.

They look great!

360Rocket

when do you expect that you will have these C6 bulbs ready to ship Jhonathan? I would be interested in a set of these and license plate LED's as well sir.

MKenM

JW Motorsports

It will be at least a month on these.