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Old 11-05-2009, 9:38am   #1
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The headlights on the C5 suck! I don't really drive the Vette much at night so never really noticed but lately I have been and I think you'd be better off holding a flashlight out the window.

I don't really want to go HID and spend all that $$ so are there better bulbs or anything in the low $$ range that can be done to help me see better at night? I do have the fogs but they aren't much help either.
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Old 11-05-2009, 9:40am   #2
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I still have a set of Silverstars I need to install. Supposed to be a lot better.

Oh, and
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Old 11-05-2009, 9:41am   #3
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there is ..althought I bought the ACA Kit there are bulbs you can put in there to help out Im not really knowledgable on the subject but have read here and there about just a bulb swap...Im sure JW or others can be more specific on parts and such
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Old 11-05-2009, 10:29am   #4
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Put your glasses on...........and clean the lens............that is all
OEM is better than my benchmark, the 68' Camaro!
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Old 11-05-2009, 10:39am   #5
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I seldom drive at night either but you can put HID's in for $80 and they are a HUGE improvement on the stock candles. That's what I did. With the PIAA 1100's and the HID lights, it's pretty good now.
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Old 11-05-2009, 7:26pm   #6
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How much are you willing to spend?
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Old 11-05-2009, 7:34pm   #7
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Quote:
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How much are you willing to spend?
$100 Max
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Old 11-05-2009, 7:37pm   #8
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Long before the ultra-cheap HID kits came out, I bought the Silverstar Ultra's...but I bought 4 high beam bulbs. (yes, using the higher wattage high beam bulb in the low beam housing).

It only takes slight modification with a Dremel to the plastic tabs on the bulb to get the 9005 high beam bulb to fit in the low beam housing, and to get the electrical connector to fit. They are purposely different so people don't install the wrong ones in the wrong place, but it's a pretty simple alteration to get around that.

It's a tremendous improvement over stock, certainly doesn't blind people (the light is more intense, but of the same pattern, since the focus is done by the housing, not the bulb)....But still falls far short of a real HID kit.

Like Kevin said above...as cheap as HID kits are nowadays, that's the way to go.


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Old 11-05-2009, 7:48pm   #9
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Ultra cheap HID kits? I'm looking to upgrade my headlights as well.

Anything good for 100-200$ ?
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Old 11-05-2009, 7:59pm   #10
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i bought a set years ago for $100 still working and i have also added fogs w/Hid's too... love it also have have t84 lens on the main bulbs....
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Old 11-05-2009, 8:02pm   #11
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You can get them for less than $100 these days.....

C5 Corvette Slim Ballasts HID Kits - JW Motoring
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Old 11-05-2009, 8:08pm   #12
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HID's in the stock U.S. spec housings are not ideal. The optics in the stock lamps are not designed for HID, so you will get a lot of scatter and refraction. Running them in the Euro spec T84 housings like illmac77 does would be much better, but it will put you over your budget. Projectors designed for HID's is the ultimate way to go, but you will be knocking on the door of $1k.
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Old 11-05-2009, 8:10pm   #13
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Thanks, Tom. Gonna order those.
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Old 11-05-2009, 8:11pm   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by YELLOHH View Post
HID's in the stock U.S. spec housings are not ideal. The optics in the stock lamps are not designed for HID, so you will get a lot of scatter and refraction. Running them in the Euro spec T84 housings like illmac77 does would be much better, but it will put you over your budget. Projectors designed for HID's is the ultimate way to go, but you will be knocking on the door of $1k.
So, the t84 lenses are big $$$?
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Old 11-05-2009, 8:31pm   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by YELLOHH View Post
HID's in the stock U.S. spec housings are not ideal. The optics in the stock lamps are not designed for HID, so you will get a lot of scatter and refraction. Running them in the Euro spec T84 housings like illmac77 does would be much better, but it will put you over your budget. Projectors designed for HID's is the ultimate way to go, but you will be knocking on the door of $1k.
Unless you get some hand me down's
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Old 11-05-2009, 8:39pm   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Neutron View Post
So, the t84 lenses are big $$$?

These people are not a supporting vendor here, so if a mod wants to delete the link, that's fine. I did look for this part from our supporting vendors and couldn't find it, if that makes any difference.

If I were you, I'd keep my eye out for a used set of these.

(link deleted, PM non supporting vendor links please.)

Last edited by Sneaks; 11-06-2009 at 12:29pm.
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Old 11-05-2009, 8:45pm   #17
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Many thanks for the info.. I'm gonna have to sleep on it at that price.
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Old 11-05-2009, 8:47pm   #18
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Or if you really want to do it right:

MySpace - The Radioflyer - 23 - Male - SPRING, Texas - myspace.com/radioflyercustoms
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Old 11-06-2009, 1:58am   #19
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grab a set of these !!!



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Old 11-06-2009, 7:48am   #20
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^Those are mighty fine!
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