Brighter Fog Lamp Bulbs

[firedawg]

Does anyone know if there are any aftermarket fog light bulbs available (size 896) that are brighter? I have checked Sylvania's web site and they make the Silver Star's for the headlights, cornering, tail and turn signal lights, but no fog lights.

If not, maybe someone knows of a modification to make them brighter with normal 896's??

 

[Eagle85C4]

Stock are about 35 watt...with some careful searching you can find the 50 watt ones. I did and love the difference...

 

[-=Jeff=-]

885 and 886 are both 50w. they are direct fit replacements for stock.

I think the 896 are right angle connectors so you will want the 886 bulbs

 

[rrubel]

I buy all my bulbs from Competition Limited. Here's a link to their "other bulbs " page. They've got 80w 886's... Be careful, though. I've melted stock wiring harnesses in other cars using 30w higher than normal.
[RICHR]

 

[KOPBET]

FWIW -

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2440103690&category=36476

 

[The Car Whisperer]

I found this article in the Tech Center from this very forum. Really explains the whole thing in detail.
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/kb/question.php?qstId=433

 

[firedawg]

Great article, I didn't realize I would have to re-run the ground, since mine go off automatically with high beams. Also, I think there may have been an error. Chiltons says the stock lamp size is 896 not 880. I'll have to see what I have. If that is the case, does anyone know the direct 50w replacement for the 896?

 

[ydphtwl]

Firedawg,
I am running 885 bulbs in mine. Much brighter, did not have to increase fuse size.
Former Fireman

 

[eschoendorff]

Will higher wattage lamps damage the plastic housing and/or lenses? I know that I melted the foglamps on a 1998 Grand Prix by putting higher wattsge lamps in... Hmmm....

 

[ydphtwl]

So far no problems, ran em several hours yesterday in the rainy weather. I think going from 35 to 50 is not that big of current draw/heat generation increase. I did not even change the fuse to a larger value. And the SilverStar headlights are great.

 

[-=Jeff=-]

Great article, I didn't realize I would have to re-run the ground, since mine go off automatically with high beams. Also, I think there may have been an error. Chiltons says the stock lamp size is 896 not 880. I'll have to see what I have. If that is the case, does anyone know the direct 50w replacement for the 896?

Firedawg, you have the 896 bulb. The Article written by Lars is mostly for the 1989-older C4s. The 1990-1996 have a different wiring scheme for the Driving Lights. the older runs the Dirving light through the High beam.

The Driving lights on the 90-96 are controlled by a relay (better)

so you don't have to cut and remove the ground.

 

[-=Jeff=-]

Wiring Diagrams

This should clear up some confusion

this is the 89 fog lamp wiring
http://jeff.vettextc.net/wiring/1989-fog.jpg

this is the 91 fog lamp wiring.
http://jeff.vettextc.net/wiring/1991-fog.jpg

I don't have a 90 manual but I am 99% sure it is like the 91

 

[Spinman]

Just checked the fog lamp wiring in my '90 shop manual (page 8A-100-1) The diagram appears to be identical to the one posted by Jeff for the 1991...

From what I can read - the fog lamps have a relay in the circuit - when the high beams are on, the relay opens the circuit and the fog lamps are off. In the 90 - the standard bulbs are 880 (35w) and the upgrade would be 885 (50w).

[I believe the '91 and later use the 896 with the right angle connector in the newer bumper - the '90 and earlier use the 880 with the straight connector in the older bumper]

The manual shows a 15amp taillight fuse in the circuit, so as stated - it probably would work alright with the existing hardware.

As for the heat dispersion and melting of the lens or housing - don't know - hopefully not a problem from what others have said.

I had been putting off upgrading because I didn't want to cut the ground wires as described in the tech article. Now it looks like theres no reason not to upgrade...

FWIW