LED headlight upgrade
 

My passenger side headlight died on me about a week ago. Instead of replacing the burnt out Silverstar, figured it to be an opportunity to get $24.95 discount on a pair of LED set. I had been keeping an eye on GE Nighthawk LEDs but at $260 ea. it wasn't easy decision. Then I noticed what looked to be the same or remarkably similar looking lights from Truck-lite.

I ordered a pair from Ebay and showed up on Friday.

Below is a shot of light pattern/color of Silerstar halogen (left) and Truck-lite LED (right). LED side is definitely whiter with much larger pattern.
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/u...sgrv1wemm.jpeg

Shot of both sides installed. Note the light is divided horizontally with the top for low beam and lower side dedicated to high beam.
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/u...sdq7o87dl.jpeg

Shot of light pattern on the wall with both sides.
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/u...ssjusrnav.jpeg

Now that my night vision isn't what it use to be, this definitely was a worthwhile upgrade. Whereas halogen throws straight, candle flame shaped bright area with lower lit areas left and right, LEDs throw more evenly lit, wide area. Also, LEDs throw light almost immediately in front of the car and forward. So much so, driving lights are pretty much not necessary.

Since purchase I noticed GE Nighthawks are available at $209 each from Amazon.

I haven't had time to modify driving light ground. At the moment when I switch on the driving light, I get high beam. I think I'll add HID driving lights when I modify the wiring.

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

One more thing - over all, light color and pattern looks very similar to my BMW which came with HID lights. However, LED lights have sort of half a melon shaped bright spots at the furthest point in the middle.

I considered HIDs but my concern was being able to identify properly designed reflector. HID lamp light point source may be located different from halogen bulb being replaced and this change can have unpredictable affect on light pattern. These Truck-lite units and certainly GE units are designed as a self contained unit. As such, I had far less concern over resulting pattern.

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

http://www.amazon.com/GENSSI-Project...+headlight+5x7

My wife got me these for Xmas. I have yet to install them. I am already running LED foglights and the light is almost Blue in color, but they are slightly brighter than stock. I will put these headlights in sometime over the winter. I'm sure they will be brighter than stock.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu8C1CZ8W20

This video sums up the brightness. Can't wait to get them on the car.

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

Look forward to comparison.:cheers:

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

Wow, that was an impressive video.

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

HID techology is being rapidly displaced by LED. Stick with the Nighthawk conversion. It works really well.

I tested them in a C4 for another web site and they worked quite well. To read the article, click here.

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

LEDs are being adapted in residential and commercial buildings also primarily due to about 40% energy savings and quality of light. For use in buildings, drivers are needed to step down the voltage, which of course, is not needed for automotive use. Also, lack of filament means durability in dealing with road impacts. With 30,000 hours life expectancy, I expect this pair to out last the car. Just my two cents...:cheers:

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

So there's no complicated conversion to the LEDs? I agree w you regarding driving the C4 at night, particularly those of us that are further down the line in years.

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

Very timely as I am part way through converting all my interior and exterior lights. Did you have difficulty plugging in the LED headlights to the factory plugs? I am thinking of Hib's Nighthawk write-up wherein which he notes the difficulty plugging in the Nighthawks to the factory headlight wiring (looks like a very hard squeeze was required).

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

Mine are Truck-lite brand LEDs and not GE. Plugging wasn't that difficult. Remember-driving light ground wire has to be modified per Hib's article.

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

Do you have an eBay link? Curious as to what ones you ended up with.

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

I noted the difference which is why I asked. Will keep this in mind - thanks for the update.

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

Awesome!!! Thanks for sharing Yun....I'm all over it.

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

Great topic!

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

WOW! The SlilverStars are good lights... Those Nighthawks are amazing! Thank you, I've been looking at those since i go my Juan...

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

any chance of a how to thread for this conversion...it seems a much better option than HID's

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

Really not much to it:

* Rotate headlights half way. I normally turn the headlight switch to full on followed by switch to off position and back to parking light only position when in desired position. Or, use manual knob to rotate to half way position.
* Now, two screws on the sides of the light bezel is accessible and remove able.
* Remove two T-15 tore head screws on lower edge of the housing. Get ready to catch the housing as these bolts are removed.
* With the housing removed four screws for the stainless steel band trim holding the headlight in headlight bucket can be removed.
* Pull the headlight forward just enough to expose electrical connector to the headlight and disconnect.
* remove headlight.

Installation of new LED headlight is the reverse of above steps.

Refer to Hib's picture and re-wire driving light ground wire (green wire) to counter inoperable driving lights caused by factory wiring where driving light ground is through the high beam ground:

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...age=799_11.jpg

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

What the ... ?! You guys drive your Zs at NIGHT?! Isn't that like driving in the rain :p


Seriously, this looks like a great upgrade.


I know we won't be driving in the snow, but since LEDs don't produce much heat, the lens could get coated with ice. We've had this discussion on a snowplow forum and the big downside is having to clear them off as you're plowing.

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

Maybe Robert should look at this as a "group buy" candidate.

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

Great suggestion, I am in.

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

Interestingly, LEDs and even HIDs with higher color temp (more white and bluish as opposed to halogen which are yellowish) are less effective in rain (more reflection off the road), snow and fog (light bounces back as opposed to penetrating).

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

I'll sign up, provided they are the "DOT approved" lights with a distinct drive line, e.g. the GENSSI DOT (they claim) approved LED 7x6 type light.

In the video below shows two different lights, their original LED headlight and the next "DOT APPROVED" version - with the distinct drive line (keeps light out of on-coming driver's eyes).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu8C1CZ8W20

We wouldn't want to jump the gun and do a group buy before having these picayune things specified, right?

Count me IN!

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

Paul,
These are DOT approved lights.
I wasn't sure whether I would like these or not. So, when I made the purchase I ordered from an outfit who offered 30 day money back guarantee.
If someone sets up a group buy, I recommend 30 day return policy is part of the deal just in case.

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

Count me in on a group buy. It looks like they light up the night much better than the stock lights and I'm six days older than St Louis so I can't see at night.





:fahne:

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

A lot of folks rave about JW Speaker LED Headlights.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AR2XHtrTyw

Which is better?

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

I have not seen any car with this particular light. Also, these lights are about $300 ea. - quite pricey compared to GE Nighthawk and Truck-lite.
I felt very comfortable with the Nighthawks because of GE's reputation but ended up buying Truck-lite because of price and a strong suspicion that they were manufactured by the same manufacturer. I am hoping to compare my Truck-lite unit with another Wazoo car with GE Nighthawks soon.

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

It has been snowing here so I need to wait for it to melt before swapping lights. After I do that I will let you all know. The lights look nicely built.

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

I am in for some Night Hawks.

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One reason I don't drive much at night is because of inadequate lighting. Running around locally in the Chicago suburbs, there's enough street lighting to allow use of just my halogen fogs.

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

I'd be onboard with a group buy, if it came about. My light output at night is lacking, and have been thinking about an upgrade. Good thread!

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

If anyone is interested I could give you the coupon they sent to me with my Genessi headlights from Amazon. It's $10 off $100 spent or $20 off $200. PM if interested.

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

I don't drive my Vettes in the snow...very often. BUT! Before jumping on (any) bandwagon, look at this video showing the GE Nighthhawk/Truck Lite LED...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P43taQiTh3g

It would appear someone driving in the snow w/ the LEDs one would be F'ked in a very short time.

Food for thought. As long as we're talking Corvettes that as a rule don't see many blizzards, it probably isn't an issue.

At the moment, I like the GENNSSI DOT approved LED headlights. (Amazon), far as the patterns it throws; Low beam "drive line" especially.

Still on the fence...ready to pull the trigger. But, at $400 ish for the pair, I wouldn't want to be sorry for not shopping some more.

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

Paul, Hold off I am trying to find a vendor where we can get a group buy and Sponsorship in one swoop.

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

I will be watching this thread, as a motorcyclist they always say don't out ride your lights. My lights are no wheres near up to the task, and I have H4s

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

for which ones?

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

I would be interested in the LED lights. I have brand new in a box HID lights for the corvette but the installation is a little tricky and I would much rather just plug and play. They were over 200 or 300?bucks and I would hate not to use them since they were a gift from wifey. still like leds. I think they have halos and a projector bulb?? it was a kit I picked out but once I saw the install it has sat in the box.

ed ramos #3028

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

Hello Jeff,

Still somewhat an open question. For example, this (HR Revolution) video, demonstrates how much the market "come to light", as it were. There must be going on two dozen+ vendors out there; some DOT/SAE approved, some not, some with really nice HI/LO beam patterns, some not so good, some with higher temp (aproaching the BLUE end of the visible light spectrum - (very undesirable feature, BTY).

However, LEDs might be the new, sexy way to go. True, they have a lot going for them. But, Lumens isn't everything - by far! How the light is focused, i.e., the pattern as it relates to the road and safety to traffic headed AT US, and whether or not rain or fog becomes a "blizzard" or white-out is very important. No prize given for a rush to judgement...is my point. AND! Just because they're made by GE or Panasonic or whomever shouldn't be the determining factor. Performance, quality, warranty, price...all have a place in the (as yet) not firmly defined product/technology.

For example, a good HID light (remember those?): what it may lack in LUMENS, (perhaps) it may gain in practical effectiveness in fog/rain due to lower color 'temp'. Bright on a clear night is good, but in fog or rain or snow, a bluish (6000K+ temp) would reflect badly, looking like bright white confetti against a black background...something to think about. (The reason FOG lights are amber. Amber/red does not rreflect as much, hence less reflection by water back at the driver. And, BTW, the HIDs generate enough heat that they melt snow/ice thus keeping the lens clear and dry.

Just to cut through the hype, I'm massaging a spreadsheet, replete with links and light pattern (HI/LO beam) photos for reference to help me get "dip-stick" review of what is out there. But, I intend to choose one in time to complete my winter upgrades - in time to do the MR4 this spring.

If you're interested, I'll consolidate it and post it - and you can see what I've come up with at that point (a work in progress), how they compare, and we can discuss and anybody can join in to share ideas.

Ideally, we may be able to pic one or two and have a joint purchase (per Robert's suggestion). But regardless, I hope to have something installed in the next 3 months - in time for next spring. Let's keep in touch!


Paul.

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

We have been snowed in, here in mid-Atlantic region, since noon Friday. I was getting bored so figured I would re-ground driving light relay per Hib's post. Took somewhat longer and learned that later year passenger side hush panel is a bit different from early Zs.

Nonetheless, done!
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/u...scxbgu5of.jpeg

Although it's tough to tell looking at digital photo, those halogen driving lights look pathetic. Next - HID driving lights to match.

Re: LED headlight upgrade
 

As I stated in earlier post and Paul is re-emphasizing, whiter (and bluer) lights will reflect off of wet road, reflect back in snow and fog. Paul is absolutely correct that snow will build up and freeze in front of the lens because LEDs don't produce much heat. If you drive frequently at night in the rain or snow, I would suggest a set of HIDs with color temp below 4000k.