C6 Z06 USA import lighting conversion to UK spec
Discussion
Hi all. If anybody has physically done a conversion to rear lights, indicators and headlights, please could you tell me the easiest way you found? Where is the best place to buy yellow lenses etc? I have converted several custom choppers for SVA, but never a car.
Also, if anybody has a wiring diagram for a Z06 2011 onwards [probably hasn't changed since 2006], that would be very helpful. Thanks in advance for any advice.
Also, if anybody has a wiring diagram for a Z06 2011 onwards [probably hasn't changed since 2006], that would be very helpful. Thanks in advance for any advice.
Hi James.
How are you doing? Kids yet?
Do you still hear from Dave?
It'll be staying with me for some time. Its got the Z07 performance package, carbon aero kit, with MSRC and HUGE CCM brakes, so its without doubt the best bang for buck out there! I'm racing at Dijon this year, so i'll travel down in the Z06, and continue on through the Alps to the Italian lakes after the race. Maybe visit Nurburgring & Spa again, if i can co-ordinate it. I was tempted by Mitch's Centennial edition, but i missed it.
How are you doing? Kids yet?
Do you still hear from Dave?It'll be staying with me for some time. Its got the Z07 performance package, carbon aero kit, with MSRC and HUGE CCM brakes, so its without doubt the best bang for buck out there! I'm racing at Dijon this year, so i'll travel down in the Z06, and continue on through the Alps to the Italian lakes after the race. Maybe visit Nurburgring & Spa again, if i can co-ordinate it. I was tempted by Mitch's Centennial edition, but i missed it.
mitch_ said:
It's a bigger job than you think Paul. The big issue is that the current to the brake lights is too great so resistance is required to reduce it otherwise you can blow the BCM. Some modification is also required to the headlights as well for the beam pattern, not to mention that the car won't have headlight washers either.....
Hi Mitch.I presume you mean the current is too great for LED lighting? Please give me your opinion on the following.
I order the 2 outer rear Euro lights from GM USA, together with their Euro wiring harness. I can run the brake lights from the third [high level] brake light. Use a dual filament bulb to incorporate the side lights. I can run the rear indicators from the front indicators. The centre rear lights are fog lights.
For headlights, change to Halogen to eliminate necessity for headlamp washers? I haven't a clue what to do about aim yet?
Strangely, i sold a UK Z06 to a guy in Germany, and he emailed me a year later ranting that he could not get the headlight aim right for driving on the right. I believe the Aston Martin headlamp projector will rotate 45 degrees-ish to cope with both markets?
Please tell me your thoughts Mitch.....
IVA in a nutshell.
Convert low beam headlights to Halogen using a fused battery feed and illuminated switch on dash [fit halogen H7 bulbs directly into Xenon HID projector using HID bulb clamp]. No need for headlamp washers or "E" marked headlamps. Flat beam projection is acceptable. I will convert back to Xenon HID at some point.
Take a feed from switched side of low beam for rear fog lights [so they only operate with low beam]through a dash mounted rear fog switch with telltale[use 2 inner rear lights high wattage filament], leaving lower wattage filament as side light. They might make you blank off a portion of the fog light for a 100mm separation from the brake light.
Buy 2 Euro rear lamps and the appropriate Euro rear wiring loom for the bulb holders. Fit these as the outer lamps. Take a feed from front indicators via LED side repeaters, to LED rear indicator bulbs [you will have to use resistors on the original brake/turn feed to keep correct flash rate]. For stop/tail, use LED [dual filament equivalent] bulb, using the brighter element as brake light fed from high level brake light, and using the dimmer element as side light.
Use original side light feed for 2 push in side light bulb-holders drilled into front fog light housing, positioned well forward for visibility from 45 degrees from either side.
The parts for this conversion cost around £250, but there is a LOT of labour, particularly as you have to tread carefully not to damage the cars original system.
I would not recommend using any relays, as if correctly fitted diodes are not used in conjunction, you can potentially blow the Body Control Module.
As Mitch said, it ain't easy!!!
Convert low beam headlights to Halogen using a fused battery feed and illuminated switch on dash [fit halogen H7 bulbs directly into Xenon HID projector using HID bulb clamp]. No need for headlamp washers or "E" marked headlamps. Flat beam projection is acceptable. I will convert back to Xenon HID at some point.
Take a feed from switched side of low beam for rear fog lights [so they only operate with low beam]through a dash mounted rear fog switch with telltale[use 2 inner rear lights high wattage filament], leaving lower wattage filament as side light. They might make you blank off a portion of the fog light for a 100mm separation from the brake light.
Buy 2 Euro rear lamps and the appropriate Euro rear wiring loom for the bulb holders. Fit these as the outer lamps. Take a feed from front indicators via LED side repeaters, to LED rear indicator bulbs [you will have to use resistors on the original brake/turn feed to keep correct flash rate]. For stop/tail, use LED [dual filament equivalent] bulb, using the brighter element as brake light fed from high level brake light, and using the dimmer element as side light.
Use original side light feed for 2 push in side light bulb-holders drilled into front fog light housing, positioned well forward for visibility from 45 degrees from either side.
The parts for this conversion cost around £250, but there is a LOT of labour, particularly as you have to tread carefully not to damage the cars original system.
I would not recommend using any relays, as if correctly fitted diodes are not used in conjunction, you can potentially blow the Body Control Module.
As Mitch said, it ain't easy!!!
MrNoisy said:
Great post, thank you. I have a couple of questions as I will be undertaking this (probably) to import my 2005 some time next year. Currently I reside stateside and she is my daily driver. Back home she will become my Le Mans, Sunday, Track hack!
You don't mention what you did with the DRL's? Or, did you also reprogram the BCM?
What would have been the difference (as you are aware) if you had just had to MOT the car? Mine will most likely fall outside the 10 year ruling by the time I ship her so won't require IVA.
I'm assuming the xenon conversion is to negate the requirement for headlamp washers? If so, is this IVA only?
There seems to be sporadic info on converting Vettes for euro use(I understand some people make their living this way, so am grateful for any input at all), but it would be great to get some discussion going amongst owners. I really should join the CCUK!!!
My outline plan (until I read your post) was the following.................
1. Dipped Headlamps left as is but install wash system rigged to windscreen wash or seperate fused switch/additional small tank from junkyard. Beam pattern lowered as I believe USDM cars will pass like this?
2. DRL's replaced with Triton LED switchbacks. These shine white at all times but flash amber when turn signal activated. I'm unsure as to legality of this but cannot find anything in the MOT manual to suggest this. As long as the white light isn't used as sidelight.
3. Front fogs as is. Sidelight drilled through like yours, I like that plan.
4. Mainbeam as is.
5. Side repeaters seem easily satisfied. I like the look of the arrows retrofitted in the wing mirrors.
6. Reverse lights as is.
7. Brake/Rear Turn/Rear fog - http://www.shop.radioflyerinnovations.com/C6-Corve... - The guy who makes these can modify them so the center point of the inners are red (fog) and outers are amber (turn). I'm finding out if this will work out of the box with the US wiring/BCM or if additional wiring harness is required. If it is then it might just be easier to get the euro harness and tails and do the BCM reprogram.
I believe if the BCM is reprogrammed for Euro use (a simple/cheap task here in the land of the free, I'm sure not so much in blighty)
then you also lose other functionality such as TPMS. I don't have the extensive list on this though.
I'd love to hear thoughts on the feasibility of this, feel free to pick holes in it. I'm sure I've overlooked lots!
If its over 10 years old, IVA does not apply. MOT will suffice, and thats simply a matter of amber indicators. Don't change a thing on headlamps.You don't mention what you did with the DRL's? Or, did you also reprogram the BCM?
What would have been the difference (as you are aware) if you had just had to MOT the car? Mine will most likely fall outside the 10 year ruling by the time I ship her so won't require IVA.
I'm assuming the xenon conversion is to negate the requirement for headlamp washers? If so, is this IVA only?
There seems to be sporadic info on converting Vettes for euro use(I understand some people make their living this way, so am grateful for any input at all), but it would be great to get some discussion going amongst owners. I really should join the CCUK!!!
My outline plan (until I read your post) was the following.................
1. Dipped Headlamps left as is but install wash system rigged to windscreen wash or seperate fused switch/additional small tank from junkyard. Beam pattern lowered as I believe USDM cars will pass like this?
2. DRL's replaced with Triton LED switchbacks. These shine white at all times but flash amber when turn signal activated. I'm unsure as to legality of this but cannot find anything in the MOT manual to suggest this. As long as the white light isn't used as sidelight.
3. Front fogs as is. Sidelight drilled through like yours, I like that plan.
4. Mainbeam as is.
5. Side repeaters seem easily satisfied. I like the look of the arrows retrofitted in the wing mirrors.
6. Reverse lights as is.
7. Brake/Rear Turn/Rear fog - http://www.shop.radioflyerinnovations.com/C6-Corve... - The guy who makes these can modify them so the center point of the inners are red (fog) and outers are amber (turn). I'm finding out if this will work out of the box with the US wiring/BCM or if additional wiring harness is required. If it is then it might just be easier to get the euro harness and tails and do the BCM reprogram.
I believe if the BCM is reprogrammed for Euro use (a simple/cheap task here in the land of the free, I'm sure not so much in blighty)
then you also lose other functionality such as TPMS. I don't have the extensive list on this though. I'd love to hear thoughts on the feasibility of this, feel free to pick holes in it. I'm sure I've overlooked lots!
As for DRL's, i just leave the light switch on sidelight position. I have not gone anywhere near the BCM.
The Halogen headlight conversion is for IVA only.
I only purchased the Euro wiring loom to obtain the bulb holders, which are specific to the Euro outer rear lamps.
Don't get involved in headlamp washers, you don't need them for MOT, and if IVA, convert headlamps to halogen temporarily.
Hope this helps
z06tim said:
Looks like you have things covered in a very good detail there, and I'm sure someone more knowlegeable than me on the C6 conversion process will be along shortly.
However, I picked up on "losing the TPMS functionality". You may want to check the MOT manual with regards to this. As TPMS is definitely one of the new, recently phased in checks in the MOT test now.
This was not mentioned for IVA , or MOT. I don't know why you would lose TPMS, unlesS messing with the BCM.However, I picked up on "losing the TPMS functionality". You may want to check the MOT manual with regards to this. As TPMS is definitely one of the new, recently phased in checks in the MOT test now.
Pixel-Snapper said:
Is it on the road yet Paul?
Hi Matt.Yes, but i've not driven her since the IVA, i've been flat out. Taking her up north next weekend to visit family, so looking forward to the trip. Just hoping for nice weather, as the Michelin Cup tyres are lethal in the wet for aquaplaning.
I remember a guy came over from Germany in 2009 [i think?] to collect a black Z06 on Goodyear tyres. I heard he wrote it off on the way home, soon after leaving Calais in the rain!!
Pixel-Snapper said:
Crikey she looks a beast Paul! Like the colour and the rims suit it too.
Been breaking it in with a spot of dogging down the meadows I see too.
Supersonic Blue, and it has the Z07 package, which includes the ZR1 wheels, Magnetic Selective Ride, Carbon Package, Carbon Ceramic brakes etc...Been breaking it in with a spot of dogging down the meadows I see too.
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