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Currently in the process of completing the restoration on my 64 Coupe. Recently I have been giving considerable thought to upgrading my headlight assemblies with the Detroit Speed 63 Through 67 Headlight conversion. Does anybody have any information regarding this conversion or Detroit's speed? Thanks gang.

Crunch527

Great upgrade...did it on my 67 and added relays to the lights. The actuators took the angst out of wondering if the light were going to fully open/close. The relays improved the brightness of the lights, so much so, that I could comfortably drive at night.

dcaggiani

This is a no-brainer upgrade. It is well designed and works flawlessly. It eliminates the need for the OEM switch and the requirement to hold the switch up/down until the headlights are up/down. With one pull of the switch, they pop right up.

Nowhere Man

I think it’s a silly upgrade to a problem that doesn’t exesit. I am a very impatient person and never once thought it took to long for the headlight doors to open

65GGvert

I've got it on my current 65 and they draw very little current and roll the buckets quickly open and closed. The under dash wiring is simple, just attach the red wire to the 30a circuit breaker where you disconnect the red wire to the old motors on the driver's kick panel. Connect two wires to the headlight switch and mount the module in the screw holes already in the dash and connect the ground. Removing the old motors and installing the actuator arms is a little more troublesome because of the space limitations, but if I had the car apart for resto, I'd certainly do it. If you want NCRS now or in the future, don't. I personally like the old hold the switch rollover and watch the dash light experience, but then that's what every one I owned did. I think it's a personal choice on what you want to end up with.
As an added bonus, the wires no longer pass through the bulkhead connectors, but go directly along the old harness up to the actuators, two wires for each side. And you don't have to worry about the grease in the motors hardening or gears wearing. For actual night driving, it's a win/win.

Stingxray

Supply Power relays for headlights are a great upgrade. Increased Illumination & lower current through the dash switch. In addition,.. to eliminate the "UP" Down" rocker switch, This video shows how convert the up light micro switch to a limit switch. 2 more switches will be added to control headlight motor's. I did this to my cars. Caution: Not NCRS

Frankie the Fink

The DS conversion doesn't require true 'limit switches' (another advantage). They have 'current sensing' to shut off the motors when the headlights are fully opened/closed...
The dash "LIGHTS" warning light works as original with the DS kit..

Just so there's no confusion.

biggd

I installed this upgrade on my 67 and sold the old motors that needed a rebuild for almost what I paid for the kit. No brainer and a win, win works flawlessly. I also have their wiper motor kit which doesn't get very much use because I try to avoid rain. Also sold that motor and did quite well on that one too.

DUB

I installed this kit on a 1963 Resto-mod and I hated how fast the buckets opened and banged when they opened or closed.. They were just too fast and aggressive for my taste I feel the factory speed is seductive. These doors as how they are sold from DS.... when opening... I swear could flip a hamburger patty over the car when it is being opened,

I fixed that problem....but the way I did it...I got comments from a previous thread on this subject that I screwed it up because I put it back like the factory had it by using the the rocker switch to open and close the headlight doors.

DUB

dcaggiani

Joe Inama

Great kit , I installed on my 66 conv and it was great. Good stuff

vetsvette2002

Some complain about a system that was not maintained for 40-50 years and expect it to operate as it did when when new.
Show me any other mechanical or electro-mechanical system that will operate as new for 40-50 years without maintenance. How long would these or any engines last without any oil changes?

Don

Frankie the Fink

The headlight operation was marginal even when relatively new. Hence the thumbwheel 'back up' manual failsafe...

Nowhere Man

C4 And C5 both have a backup thumbwheel. And those motors work like your beloved Detroit motors. Try spinning one of those C4/C5 thumbwheels once

mike coletta

Great upgrade. I've installed over 20 kits. If you want old, then rebuild the original stuff. If you want fresh and reliable, then the ds kit is the way to go. Some of these guys really get their panties in a wad with the new technology being installed on an old car.

Frankie the Fink

You forget our age difference Keith....I was around and working on these cars when the hideaway headlights became popular on Camaros, Corvettes...and Buick Riviera...

They could all be trouble, and, with no true limit switches, you are gnawing on that main gear a little more each time you use your headlights...

It almost doesn't matter, I don't, and not many people I know, drive much at night anymore...

I have original motors in the 63 since the repaint but I did have Detroit Speed in the car prior to that.

I know, I know.
I'm going to hell - but I've made my piece with that...

DUB

DS must have changed their kit design due to the one I installed was nowhere that slow. I have a video of it and it is MUCH FASTER.

The video in POST #10 is acceptable by my standards of being like factory.

DUB

OHSIXX

Some of the best money I have ever spent on my car. Incredibly, awesome. You will love it.

vetsvette2002

I disagree. The headlights on my 64 worked flawlessly in 1969-70. Even in the winters on Minnesota.
Same with my friends 67 in 67 (he bought it new), worked perfectly.

Frankie the Fink

I saw more than one one-eyed, "winking" Corvette (because of a motor or rotational hardware hang-up) back in the day.

Over it.

As Mike C. said run the new stuff if you like it, the old stuff if you don't...