Riddle -- Sylvania Silverstar Halogen

[PeterG]

A riddle for helpful CAC members:

If I replace the 1999 C5 stock headlight bulbs with Sylvania Silverstar 9006ST & 9005ST High Performance Halogen bullbs, about how many fuses will blow and how much money will it cost me to get back to having the original stock yellow-glow bulbs?

Is there a better choice for replacement bulbs?

Thanks,
Peter

 

[DRTH VTR]

A riddle for helpful CAC members:

If I replace the 1999 C5 stock headlight bulbs with Sylvania Silverstar 9006ST & 9005ST High Performance Halogen bullbs, about how many fuses will blow and how much money will it cost me to get back to having the original stock yellow-glow bulbs?

Is there a better choice for replacement bulbs?

Thanks,
Peter

I have Silver Stars and I have had no problems at all.

 

[SANOLS1]

I have Silver Stars and I have had no problems at all.

I've been thinking about installing these as well. How do you like them? Are they that much better than old Yellers?

 

[DRTH VTR]

I've been thinking about installing these as well. How do you like them? Are they that much better than old Yellers?

They are better, but it is not a dramatic difference. I think that I need to re-aim mine. But my wife's BMW has HID headlights and they are vastly superior. That is the main reason that I like the C6 exposed headlights; they work better.

 

[RoadReady]

Don't really think you'll notice much difference. I didn't in the C4. The output is whiter but about the same, but I really couldn't see any better.

A thread on another forum highly recommends the PIAA bright white bulbs over Silverstars. Some guys modify the bulb socket and use 9005s Silverstars as the low beams and again don't see a lot of improvement. I can't justify the $1,500 HID kit no more night driving than I do now, but I do intend to try the PIAAs....for $1,300 less.

 

[PeterG]

Installed all

Thanks for all your thoughts.

I installed both high and low beam bulbs this morning. I am out of practise when it comes to such complex, hi-tech, 21st century mechanical stuff, but I really thought I could change four light bulbs. However, consistent every Vette I have ever owned, there are -- or at least, I have -- uninteresting unexpected problems.

I found that I had to raise both headlight assemblies fully to even just barely be able to squeaze my hand and wrist behind to reach the bulbs.

And then there was the passenger-side low beam.... It was very difficult to remove. When I got it out I learned why. At the factory, it had been forced and inserted in such a way as to have bent the steel fingers of the bezel that hold it. There is a piece of the snap-in ring that is pointing out, was pin-sharp, and wasn't holding the old bulb. This made installing the new bulb in the damaged bezel almost impossible.

After about an hour I did get that low beam in a somewhat solid position, but it will not twist fully and is therefore not aimed properly.

The important thing is that the bulbs are much whiter, brighter, and my vision is clearer. Night driving is usefully clearer than with the old yellow lights. C5s might be seen more readily by other drivers.

This was a definitely a worthwhile upgrade. --- I hope that one low beam bulb stays locked in its seat.

Thanks,
Peter

 

[mqqn]

A riddle for helpful CAC members:

If I replace the 1999 C5 stock headlight bulbs with Sylvania Silverstar 9006ST & 9005ST High Performance Halogen bullbs, about how many fuses will blow and how much money will it cost me to get back to having the original stock yellow-glow bulbs?

Is there a better choice for replacement bulbs?

Thanks,
Peter

hi Peter -

Zero fuses. Zero money.

No worries.

I have them on my Z06 - no issues. I don't think I can see any better , the light is just whiter.

best regards -

mqqn

 

[PeterG]

Lock ring

Hi, mqqn, I agree and think the whiter light was worth the trouble... and almost worth the scraped arms and wrists.

Now I am asking for more assistance.

I have that one low beam bulb that is precariously sitting in its lock ring seat. It has held for the first hundred miles, but it might fall out at anytime. Also, water may leak inside the housing. The bulb will explode if water splashes on it. I need to replace it... somehow... in the next months.

I checked with a Chevy dealer about ordering the lock ring and was told it is not sold separately... I must buy the entire headlight assembly... for $495. I feel sorry for poor General Motors, but I will not be the guy who bails GM out of its financial problems.

So, I would sure appreciate it if anyone has one low beam lock ring with screws for a 1999 headlight assembly. Of course, I will pay for it and all expenses to ship it to me.

Thanks,
Peter

 

[wishuwerehere82]

I like the Silverstars, but my problem was that the adjusters were aimed at the pavement 20 Ft. in front of the car. I had to remove the whole headlight assembly and spray PBBlaster on the adjuster threads to get them un-rusted. It was worth all the effort. Now I can see where I'm going.

You may want to try removing the headlamp assembly and re-bend that bezel back into shape and epoxy it back onto the lamp.