Do you want to greatly improve your night vision? Do you want to really light up your driving world? No matter where we live, all of us can certainly appreciate extra automotive lighting choices. There really is no safety device that's better than prevention and that includes better lighting options. High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights are now being installed in many high-end vehicles from the manufacturer for just that reason. This improved light "movement" has paved the way for aftermarket companies to begin retrofitting HID headlamps into other high-end vehicles.
Vette-HID has just engineered an HID lighting system for your C5 that is a direct bolt-in install with no trial and error involved. The only things you need to do are read the instructions carefully and install the system. The complete street-legal, DOT-approved kit is a plug-and-play installation and includes all the necessary attaching hardware.
The new Vette-HID headlamps provide a brilliant light at 4,200-degrees K, which is color temperature measured on the Kelvin scale. Daylight measures at 5,000 degrees Kelvin. The Vette-HIDs provide light as close to daylight as possible with street-legal components. The white light provided at night is immediately noticeable on the highway. The problem early on with HID installs was improperly secured lamps causing bouncing light beams and no way to properly aim the headlamps. But Vette-HID engineered the fit of the headlamps with proper adjusting capabilities that look and fit like an OE installation. This is not a cobbled together kit that you can't depend on. The polycarbonate lens carries the required DOT notice and complies with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108. The Vette-HID assemblies use the original headlamp bucket so the factory adjusters are still used for headlamp aiming.
The overall installation is mainly a bolt-in with some modifications to the original headlamp bucket. None of the modifications are visible, and, if necessary, the original headlamps can be reinstalled without anybody aware that the HID upgrade was previously made.
We were able to do our install...
We were able to do our install in less than four hours using the new high-tech Primedia installation facility that is fully equipped with Alltrade Powerbuilt rollaway toolboxes filled with Powerbuilt tools. We mainly used their metric sockets, vise grips, and Torx bit screwdrivers for the install.
The install is easy. Without any distractions, you should be able to easily install the kit on a Saturday afternoon.
We did have one difficulty. When we turned on the headlights, we had no high beam on the right side. We quizzed the owner of the car about the high beam, and he said the high-beam bulb had been replaced because the high beam wasn't working, so we knew that most likely the problem was there from the beginning of the installation. We did a quick circuit check and found our OE harness had no power in the high-beam headlamp connector. Thinking back during our installation, we had found a damaged wire at the headlamp connector on the right side that we had taped up. We wondered if it could be a blown fuse. Sure enough, it had a blown fuse in the external fuse panel. Once the blown fuse for the right headlamp was replaced, all was well. Being observant during an install can save many hours of aggravation.
Remember, headlamp aiming is important to get all you can out of your headlamps. It also keeps from aggravating every driver that's meeting you on the highway. When you're finished with the HID installation, make sure to take the car for a correct headlamp adjustment. Everyone on the road will really appreciate it. I know I'm preaching about headlight aiming, but in Florida, we have no regular car inspections so many cars have improperly adjusted headlamps aimed right at the oncoming driver
| DIFFICULTY INDEX ::: | NN |
| ANYONE'S PROJECT | no tools required | N |
| BEGINNER | basic tools | NN |
| EXPERIENCED | special tools | NNN |
| ACCOMPLISHED | special tools and outside help | NNNN |
| PROFESSIONALS ONLY | send this work out | NNNNN |
The first step is to remove...
The first step is to remove the battery's negative cable before starting the installation. We then removed the headlamp top cover. We manually positioned the door in the mid-position for removal. There's a rubber cover over the manual override knob on the inside rear corner of each headlamp. Manually raising and lowering the headlamps allows easy removal of the bezels and top cover.
We easily removed the OE headlamp...
We easily removed the OE headlamp assembly using a 10mm socket and ratchet. Once the headlight assembly is out of the way, we scored the aluminum headlight bucket with a sharp razor knife. The scored ribs must be removed to allow enough room for the new HID headlight assembly to be installed.
After scoring the ribs, we...
After scoring the ribs, we used a pair of vise grips to grab the aluminum rib and break it off. After doing the first headlight bucket, we found that keeping the vise grips as tight as possible when grabbing the aluminum makes the cleanest edge. If the aluminum is not breaking easily, run the razor knife over it again.
This is the finished product....
This is the finished product. It's not pretty, but it works and is not seen from any angle once everything is assembled. Before you put the vise grips and razor knife away, make sure the headlamp assembly fits without rubbing on any of the cut aluminum ribs.
Here's a tip: before attempting...
Here's a tip: before attempting to install the new HIDs, install the screws in their respective holes to tap threads in the plastic housing. This will save a lot of aggravation during assembly since the screws have a tendency to go in at an angle. You can control the screws and install them straight into the housing when the housing is in your hands.
We found it much easier to...
We found it much easier to install the top outer screws with the headlamp housing out of the way. There is no easy way to get on the screw to install it and turn it later. Once the screw is in place, put the housing up to it and start the screw. A couple of turns with a 10mm wrench is used to make sure the screw is started.
The inside screw can be installed...
The inside screw can be installed and started by reaching around the headlamp bucket. We put some soft rags around the hood and fender to protect them from falling pieces and possibly rubbing the headlamp housing on the paint.
Once all the screws are started...
Once all the screws are started straight, they can be tightened up carefully. The screws cut into the plastic and hold good enough to break off the plastic mounting ears, so be careful. Watch the wrench during tightening. it can contact the fender easily and even when covered, damage can occur.
A piece of two-sided foam...
A piece of two-sided foam tape is provided to attach the ballast to the inner fender. The two-sided tape allows you to stick it into position, then screws are supplied to positively retain the ballast. The instructions warn you not to cover the serial number on the backside of the unit in case you need to order a replacement ballast.
Next we installed the screws...
Next we installed the screws to retain the ballast on the inner fender. The inner fender material is light plastic, so don't force the screws into position. The screws require light torque during tightening to prevent plastic damage.
The wiring is well explained...
The wiring is well explained in the directions. You'll find some of the new headlamp wire connectors have wires missing, which is normal. The new HID headlamps use ballasts to boost current so the OE lights require low current to trigger the HIDs.
Don't forget to connect the...
Don't forget to connect the single wires and push the provided boot over the connection to prevent shorting. We used a tie-wrap to hold it out of the way of the headlamp during opening and closing.
Once all the wires are in...
Once all the wires are in place, connect the wires to the ballast. We found that if you install the connector with the red and black wires incorrectly, you won't have any lights. The battery and ground supply wires to the ballast should be installed with the red wire on the inside next to the inner fender and the black wire out. The upside is that installing the connector incorrectly doesn't hurt anything
We removed the coolant reservoir...
We removed the coolant reservoir to run the wiring under the reservoir. There was no need to remove the coolant hoses with the screws removed. The reservoir moved out of the way enough to allow us to position the wires properly.
The coolant reservoir was...
The coolant reservoir was now loose, and the battery protector was removed to route the wiring under the battery tray. The battery protector uses a plastic pushpin along the windshield edge to retain it, and it pops out easily.
The wire connectors are provided...
The wire connectors are provided and should be crimped on with a proper crimping tool. The battery wires are then connected to the stud on the fuse panel and tightened. Watch the positioning of the terminals so the plastic cover can be reinstalled. Remember the stud is battery power hot all the time.
As you can see, our negative...
As you can see, our negative battery cable is still disconnected. We're doing the final wiring connections at the frame ground stud. The black wires are connected here, and then the previously removed battery protector sits down on top of the stud.
At this point, we are just...
At this point, we are just about finished with the wiring as we tied the cross wire harness in place with the provided tie-wraps. Be careful around the hood hinges as the wiring can be pinched if left unsecured.
Here's where you need to be...
Here's where you need to be extra careful. You need to install all the screws first, then tighten the screws. Once the screws are tightened, manually rotate the headlights down into position to make sure the cover is in the correct place. There is a little wiggle room if adjustment is necessary.
The Vette-HID headlights look...
The Vette-HID headlights look cool and turn night into day easily. The lights come with a 3-year limited warranty.