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Topic: electric headlights

in Forum: C3 Electrical

electric headlights

Posted: 3/12/15 4:06am Message 1 of 13
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Canada
Joined: 12/24/2013
Posts: 414
Vette(s): 1975 L48 Stingray 1992 LT1
Wasn't really sure which forum to put this in but i'm sure most will catch it in the 24 posts.  Who out there has done the electric conversion on the headlights and what is your views on them.  I sure like the way it cleans up the front, i seen some on the ebay for around 500 the rest that are at the dealers are around 1000.




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Re: electric headlights

Posted: 3/12/15 4:23am Message 2 of 13
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
 I think Brian(Redwingvette) has done it. He might had pics on his web page.... Thumbs Up


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Re: electric headlights

Posted: 3/12/15 2:00pm Message 3 of 13
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Netcong, NJ - USA
Joined: 3/6/2015
Posts: 20
Vette(s): 1970 Roadster. Daytona Yellow, Crate 502, No A/C, P/S. Numbers matching with original 454CI motor stored
Cindy, I switched my vacuum lights over to electric motors . I can't recall the name of the company that made them but the cost was around 825 - 850. if you can't fine them let me know and I'll pull my files.
It was a good decision. It convinced me to wipe out the entire vacuum system. Yes, wipers included. I have no vacuum functioning on the car at all. I completely removed everything related to the wipers. Who's using them in a car that NEVER sees rain? Unless you live in Washington State, lose 'em.
I was looking for a clean firewall and to eliminate that ugly basket of bolts, wires and other mischaegotz that found a home in the wiper bay.
My headlights go up and down consistently, don't slump and when you look through the hood and the grill it's all nice and clean. There's nothing there. No vacuum hoses laying around and they work wonderfully. The install was really very easy. There was a bit of time spent getting the actuators in the best spot. But nothing crazy.
I have also heard that you can adapt a set of actuators from the late '80's to the early '90's.
Check out this article in Super Chevy. 
You'll find it helpful.
If you wind up ditching your wipers take a look at our site www.powerportalproducts.com for our windshield wiper bay cover. It was designed exactly for the purpose of making that ugly wiper bay "PIGPIT" go away. It's removable too.
I think you'll really like the electric after all the vacuum goes away. Good Luck!



Re: electric headlights

Posted: 3/12/15 7:17pm Message 4 of 13
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Canada
Joined: 12/24/2013
Posts: 414
Vette(s): 1975 L48 Stingray 1992 LT1
thanks for that great post im pretty sure i will be seriously looking at this conversion




Re: electric headlights

Posted: 3/13/15 8:14am Message 5 of 13
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Waterford, MI - USA
Joined: 9/13/2002
Posts: 1749
Vette(s): 1973 Red coupe
I haven't done this one yet. Maybe a future project though, I like the idea but my vacuum system still works good enough.


Brian - NCM Lifetime Member

73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans
Borgeson Steering box
 


Re: electric headlights

Posted: 3/13/15 10:11am Message 6 of 13
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
If you are capable of fabricating your own bracketry, you can source all of the other needed parts from salvage yards/ebay, or possibly a dealer may still have some of this stuff available.

Killer Lights


Joel Adams
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Re: electric headlights

Posted: 3/18/15 8:59am Message 7 of 13
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Cadiz, KY - USA
Joined: 8/26/2002
Posts: 249
Vette(s): 74 Convertible
There used to be an electric conversion found on line under "killer lights". It used Firebird headlight motors, some brackets they produced, a C5 headlight contral module and a newer headlight on and off switch. I converted both of my C3 cars several years ago and they worked great. I did find that the C5 headlight modules were the weak point in the system so I took out the module in both cars and put in a switch from Radio Shack that will reverse the polarity of the motors and it works perfectly every time. I got that idea from my 64 which used a multi function switch to both open and close the headlight doors. I don't think killer lights is still out there but I do have the drawings from my set. The brackets could be fabricated. My guess is that with some searching for the motors with arms, which are the most diffult to find, that you could do the conversion for $200-300. Saturn headlight motors are the same but have a longer shaft and will work with some bushings to properly position the arms. No vacuum lights is a good thing. PM if you need assistance. Good luck.


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Re: electric headlights

Posted: 3/18/15 9:11am Message 8 of 13
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Cadiz, KY - USA
Joined: 8/26/2002
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Vette(s): 74 Convertible
Mcspeed is still there, their brackets are not available but pictures and instructions are still on line. You can get the idea and possibly fabricate the brackets by looking at the pictures.


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Re: electric headlights

Posted: 3/20/15 9:56am Message 9 of 13
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Oak Creek, WI - USA
Joined: 5/21/2008
Posts: 1965
Vette(s): 1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190 hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vettes Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!! Now own a 1998 C-5!
Cinor said: Wasn't really sure which forum to put this in but i'm sure most will catch it in the 24 posts.  Who out there has done the electric conversion on the headlights and what is your views on them.  I sure like the way it cleans up the front, i seen some on the ebay for around 500 the rest that are at the dealers are around 1000.



I didn't do it Cindy!! (I never do!!, but I get blamed for everything!!!!!)

Dan da Man Hug



Re: electric headlights

Posted: 3/20/15 10:18am Message 10 of 13
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Gig Harbor, WA - USA
Joined: 10/2/2014
Posts: 405
Vette(s): 1973 L82 4 Speed Coupe - Very original, well documented driver/survivor. 2016 Bend Regional NCRS Top Flight.
FYI - I spotted at least two listings on EBay yesterday for C3 electronic conversion kits. Should be easy to find with a search for '68 to '82 corvette headlights. Not sure if they are this same as noted above, price was $450 to $500. Good luck if you attempt.


John Sigmund
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NCRS Member 61302
NW NCRS Chapter Member



Duct tape is the new Black !!

in Forum: C3 Electrical


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