SVA mods for US '99
Discussion
Hi,I was told I could find some details here listing the necessary SVA mods reqd. for my(uncles)1999 Pewter/Blk lthr 'vette which is on its way to our fair shores while I speak.We are in Edinburgh-the car arrives Southern England in approx 3 wks.
Any advice regarding this mucho appreciato senoirs
Any advice regarding this mucho appreciato senoirs
Try this link.
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www.cardomain.com/memberpage/627465/2
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If this doesn't work, go back 1 page, find an entry by Lusifer entitled 'Finalised SVA pass advice for C5 importers'
Hope this helps.
(url)
www.cardomain.com/memberpage/627465/2
(/url)
If this doesn't work, go back 1 page, find an entry by Lusifer entitled 'Finalised SVA pass advice for C5 importers'
Hope this helps.
Many thanks for this link,most helpful!
One question I wonder Is are the UK C5 rear lenses not the same as the US ones(I ask because it is suggested the parts should be gotten from a US dealer.Is this so as you get the euro conversion wiring harness and bulbs from them too?)
Again,many Thanks
One question I wonder Is are the UK C5 rear lenses not the same as the US ones(I ask because it is suggested the parts should be gotten from a US dealer.Is this so as you get the euro conversion wiring harness and bulbs from them too?)
Again,many Thanks
That's exactly it in part. I am the author of the SVA conversion guide BTW.
Basically, you get the conversion harness in the US kit AND the US-only wedge-based bulbs.
The Euro harness may well be available but it will be different. The Euro car uses bayonet bulb holders to start with and a mixture of the two types of lenses. It uses the red/orange on the outside for the indicator and a red/white on the inner for reversing lights. Using that harness (if it exists) means you would have to re-route the reversing light holders to the inner units and then you'd have two non-functional reversing lights either side of the US plate aperture (the Euro version has a long plastic insert instead to accommodate UK plates).
If you go to Ecklers, you can order the complete kit (including installation instructions for cutting the brake wire up front)using your credit card over the website. The red/white kit is about $100 cheaper than the red/orange kit for no discernible reason and IMHO looks better. Certainly it's the same quality. On top of that, you can GUARANTEE that the US kit will be cheaper than the UK prices and I think mine converted to about £170. They also arrive within 7 days and frankly, you'd be lucky to see that sort of service in the UK. You have to pay the £10 handling fee, 3.5% import duty and VAT at your doorstep but it's still cheaper as they shift these kits in bulk.
Basically, you get the conversion harness in the US kit AND the US-only wedge-based bulbs.
The Euro harness may well be available but it will be different. The Euro car uses bayonet bulb holders to start with and a mixture of the two types of lenses. It uses the red/orange on the outside for the indicator and a red/white on the inner for reversing lights. Using that harness (if it exists) means you would have to re-route the reversing light holders to the inner units and then you'd have two non-functional reversing lights either side of the US plate aperture (the Euro version has a long plastic insert instead to accommodate UK plates).
If you go to Ecklers, you can order the complete kit (including installation instructions for cutting the brake wire up front)using your credit card over the website. The red/white kit is about $100 cheaper than the red/orange kit for no discernible reason and IMHO looks better. Certainly it's the same quality. On top of that, you can GUARANTEE that the US kit will be cheaper than the UK prices and I think mine converted to about £170. They also arrive within 7 days and frankly, you'd be lucky to see that sort of service in the UK. You have to pay the £10 handling fee, 3.5% import duty and VAT at your doorstep but it's still cheaper as they shift these kits in bulk.
Hi,
I just converted mine (using Lucifers excellent instructions!). I got my lenses from VISpeed in the US (see http://community.webshots.com/album/165822594rCuwyU ) and they were even better value than Ecklers (clear $164.99, amber $274.99, both plus usual delivery/taxes etc.), excellent value and perfect parts. He does sell the lenses and the harnesses seperately too, but I would recommend buying the kit together.
I just converted mine (using Lucifers excellent instructions!). I got my lenses from VISpeed in the US (see http://community.webshots.com/album/165822594rCuwyU ) and they were even better value than Ecklers (clear $164.99, amber $274.99, both plus usual delivery/taxes etc.), excellent value and perfect parts. He does sell the lenses and the harnesses seperately too, but I would recommend buying the kit together.
LUS1FER-Many thanks,its when you discover something like what you've done on your cardomain pages which is so informative and helpful to others,you really appreciate the power of the internet,and thanks to those who steered me to it
V7TTE-Many thanks to you also for help.Are you doing the work yourself?
V7TTE-Many thanks to you also for help.Are you doing the work yourself?
Ten years ago when I bought my first Corvette, you were pretty much on your own but now owning an American car comes complete with many UK American car clubs and shows and parts suppliers and at least 5 or 6 forums, British and American, where any problem can be resolved with a few words of type.
Certainly, I wouldn't have even considered importing an American car without having researched all the necessary requirements via the 'net and the great thing about the car-crazy Americans is that they not only post an answer, they post a complete step-by-step procedure illustrated by high quality photographs.
I think mine is the first guide to passing the SVA but I am indebted to those pioneers who went before me for all the advice I received beforehand which enabled me to tackle it successfully and set the site up. The great thing about this hobby is that no-one is too busy or too proud to answer your questions and point you in the right direction. If anyone is considering importing a Vette, please feel free to e-mail me as often as you need to clarify any problems you may have.
I'll be updating the site shortly to make it a little more readable. If anything isn't clear, let me know so I can redraft any ambiguous aspects. Any suggestions gratefully received and if you encounter any specific hurdles on your SVA test, let me know so I can flag it up.
Certainly, I wouldn't have even considered importing an American car without having researched all the necessary requirements via the 'net and the great thing about the car-crazy Americans is that they not only post an answer, they post a complete step-by-step procedure illustrated by high quality photographs.
I think mine is the first guide to passing the SVA but I am indebted to those pioneers who went before me for all the advice I received beforehand which enabled me to tackle it successfully and set the site up. The great thing about this hobby is that no-one is too busy or too proud to answer your questions and point you in the right direction. If anyone is considering importing a Vette, please feel free to e-mail me as often as you need to clarify any problems you may have.
I'll be updating the site shortly to make it a little more readable. If anything isn't clear, let me know so I can redraft any ambiguous aspects. Any suggestions gratefully received and if you encounter any specific hurdles on your SVA test, let me know so I can flag it up.
scotshaggis said:
V7TTE-Many thanks to you also for help.Are you doing the work yourself?
I completed all the work over about 24 hours effort, and successfully passed the SVA test 2 weeks ago. In hindsight there was a certain amount of BS rumoured regarding the impact on the computer/electrics of the system when carrying out this work, but in the event there were no problems at all doing it the way Lusifer explains. The scariest bit is drilling holes for the repeaters in your perfect wings, but you just have to measure a up a few times and go for it!
Also bear in mind that if you have daytime running lamps then you need to disable them for SVA, but there's another easily understood website that covers this at www.corvetteforum.com/techtips/viewsubtopic.php?SubTopicID=273&TopicID=1 however this is for US cars only (i.e. not Euro export cars) as I understand the process for Euro cars is slightly different.
The process described took me all of 15 mins to complete, and I made up the jumpers mentioned using male spade terminals that I trimmed using tin snips - dead simple. I've since done the job again on a friends imported Z16 and it was even easier.
Any queries then feel free to email me... I do plan to write this up as an article in Vette News for the Feb edition.
>> Edited by V7TTE on Friday 26th November 16:49
Your welcome here and kindness is much appreciated,
As I said previosly this car actually belongs to my Uncle.I shouldn't say this but his disorganisation held up shipping of the car for the last 6 months,and I fear for how smoothly the rest of the operation will go.
I am going to try and advise him the best I can on getting the necessarys done as swiftly and cost-effectively as possible,It all sounds quite good fun to me(and not too difFicult)-I however am a genuine car enthusiast myself(I have a silver '96 750iL with 20" Alpinas+other mods),and would enjoy overseeing this.
I would say it's by no means impossible I won't end up buying the 'vette myself from him at some stage-We'll see what happens!
Just out of interest how does it sound price wise to you?Its a'99 "targa" roof auto in Pewter with Blk leather with 69k miles.I'm pretty sure he paid $18750 in the US?
As I said previosly this car actually belongs to my Uncle.I shouldn't say this but his disorganisation held up shipping of the car for the last 6 months,and I fear for how smoothly the rest of the operation will go.
I am going to try and advise him the best I can on getting the necessarys done as swiftly and cost-effectively as possible,It all sounds quite good fun to me(and not too difFicult)-I however am a genuine car enthusiast myself(I have a silver '96 750iL with 20" Alpinas+other mods),and would enjoy overseeing this.
I would say it's by no means impossible I won't end up buying the 'vette myself from him at some stage-We'll see what happens!
Just out of interest how does it sound price wise to you?Its a'99 "targa" roof auto in Pewter with Blk leather with 69k miles.I'm pretty sure he paid $18750 in the US?
That's a very price. Even on full 10% import duty and VAT, it would be SVA'd, taxed and on the road for about £16500. The cheapest Vette I've seen in the UK is a silver '98 with 72k on the clock for £15k but that's very much the exception and a '99 is usually over 20k although the "high" mileage (for a Corvette) would deflate the value over here slightly.
scotshaggis,
Good to see you have great taste in cars!
I'd agree with all that's been said about Lus1fers SVA instructions. They are excellent and will stand you in good stead.
I imported a Camaro into the UK in 99 and did the SVA mods to that. I'm back in the US at present and have both the Camaro and a Vette Convertible. I'm well into the mods in prepartaion for when I bring the Vette back home. You can see my installation at the follwing link:
http://members.cox.net/davegledhill/new_page_1.htm
I'm fitting the T85 headlights with integral sidelights rather than adapting the sidelight housings. These come with a harness to upgrade to the hi wattage lights. Not fitted them yet as I need dip rights for the time being. that said, you could stick with stock US lights and adjust them.
If I can be of any help just let me know.
Good to see you have great taste in cars!
I'd agree with all that's been said about Lus1fers SVA instructions. They are excellent and will stand you in good stead.
I imported a Camaro into the UK in 99 and did the SVA mods to that. I'm back in the US at present and have both the Camaro and a Vette Convertible. I'm well into the mods in prepartaion for when I bring the Vette back home. You can see my installation at the follwing link:
http://members.cox.net/davegledhill/new_page_1.htm
I'm fitting the T85 headlights with integral sidelights rather than adapting the sidelight housings. These come with a harness to upgrade to the hi wattage lights. Not fitted them yet as I need dip rights for the time being. that said, you could stick with stock US lights and adjust them.
If I can be of any help just let me know.
Dee Gee said:
I'm fitting the T85 headlights with integral sidelights rather than adapting the sidelight housings. These come with a harness to upgrade to the hi wattage lights. Not fitted them yet as I need dip rights for the time being. that said, you could stick with stock US lights and adjust them.
Where did you get the T85 lights from DeeGee? I had a bit of difficulty persuading my MOT station to pass my original US headlamps due to the "fuzziness" of the outline of the beam on their measuring gadget (even with them adjusted to the left and it just passed with some black tape forming a blanking piece on the bottom RH corner of the lens). Given that, and the relatively poor quality of the beam anyway, I was considering eventually doing the upgrade for next years MOT...
Thanks Dee Gee
I'll check out your link pronto.
I spoke to my Uncle yesterday,and it does look as if I could buy the car from him if I wanted.As I suspected,his attention has moved elsewhere.
We'd need to discuss matters further and I'll need to give it some serious thought.I love my 750 and couldn't really afford to run them both.
I may well however oversee matters on his behalf and take it from there.I'd agree with LU51FER-the car sounds reasonably priced(i've done some checking)but the mileage would go against it somwehat to sell here at anything other than about £16k(I feel!).
It's a pity I didn't feel a little profit could be made if I did buy the car with the intention of selling it on a few months later.I reckon with what he paid when the ex. rate wasn't quite so good -I'd be lucky to break even.Still I'll give it some thought.
I'll check out your link pronto.
I spoke to my Uncle yesterday,and it does look as if I could buy the car from him if I wanted.As I suspected,his attention has moved elsewhere.
We'd need to discuss matters further and I'll need to give it some serious thought.I love my 750 and couldn't really afford to run them both.
I may well however oversee matters on his behalf and take it from there.I'd agree with LU51FER-the car sounds reasonably priced(i've done some checking)but the mileage would go against it somwehat to sell here at anything other than about £16k(I feel!).
It's a pity I didn't feel a little profit could be made if I did buy the car with the intention of selling it on a few months later.I reckon with what he paid when the ex. rate wasn't quite so good -I'd be lucky to break even.Still I'll give it some thought.
Scotshaggis,
You're welcome. Let us know how things go with the mods.
V7TTE,
I got the T85s from pfyc.com. They worked out at about $310 including the harness and bulbs. The part nos are GM155152267-1S (Left hand light) and GM1551522678-1S (Right hand light)- Export UK T85 "Left hand rule of the road". The harness is part no 109043 "Euro Headlight Harness" and I think PFYC do that themselves. They come with PIAA 135/90W H4 halogens.
As I said, the advantage is they have a small aperture to take a sidelight lamp holder. I bought those from Autozone. I plan to splice into the outer sidelight circuit (currently the front side amber marker in the indicator housing)to provide the sidelight function. I'll then snip the brown DRL wire to leave just indicators on the existing DRL bulb.
I'm itching to do the mod but would feel guilty blinding all the drunks making their way home from the Strip at night! I'll let you know how they look once they're fitted.
You're welcome. Let us know how things go with the mods.
V7TTE,
I got the T85s from pfyc.com. They worked out at about $310 including the harness and bulbs. The part nos are GM155152267-1S (Left hand light) and GM1551522678-1S (Right hand light)- Export UK T85 "Left hand rule of the road". The harness is part no 109043 "Euro Headlight Harness" and I think PFYC do that themselves. They come with PIAA 135/90W H4 halogens.
As I said, the advantage is they have a small aperture to take a sidelight lamp holder. I bought those from Autozone. I plan to splice into the outer sidelight circuit (currently the front side amber marker in the indicator housing)to provide the sidelight function. I'll then snip the brown DRL wire to leave just indicators on the existing DRL bulb.
I'm itching to do the mod but would feel guilty blinding all the drunks making their way home from the Strip at night! I'll let you know how they look once they're fitted.
Dee Gee said:
Scotshaggis,
I got the T85s from pfyc.com. They worked out at about $310 including the harness and bulbs. The part nos are GM155152267-1S (Left hand light) and GM1551522678-1S (Right hand light)- Export UK T85 "Left hand rule of the road". The harness is part no 109043 "Euro Headlight Harness" and I think PFYC do that themselves. They come with PIAA 135/90W H4 halogens.
Excellent - Cheers.
My 'Vert comes with the Twilight sentinel. I've disabled the DRLs by pulling the A2 fuze. I may do the "bridging" mod at some stage to make it more permanent when I come back.
At present my car has stock US headlights and "sidelights", with the "inner" ambers giving both the DRL/sidelight function plus indicators. To do this, the lamp holder has 3 wires (sidelight, indicator and common earth). There is also an "outer" amber which is in a separate housing at the rear of the light unit (pointing to the side of the car). This is a standard sidelight cicuit.
The T85s have a small hole in the base of the lamp unit. I bought regular sidelight bulb holders from Autozone and these slot into the housing.
My plan is to disable the sidelight function on the "inner" by snipping the brown wire leaving indicators on the "inner" and amber sidelight on the "outer" (see Lus1fers description on his website). I think the "outer" amber should be fine as it shows to the side of the vehicle. If not, I'll pull the bulbs for SVA. I'll then hook up the new integral sidelight by running a parallel circuit from the "outer" sidelight wires to the new bulb holders.
That should give me sidelights when the rotary switch is in the sidelight position although the headlights will be "up".
The new harness plugs into the existing wiring harness at the passenger side. It adapts the wiring to the T85s to give a single connector to each headlight bulb. This gives low and high beam from one connector (rather than separate connectors on the existing stock headlamps.
Does that make sense?
At present my car has stock US headlights and "sidelights", with the "inner" ambers giving both the DRL/sidelight function plus indicators. To do this, the lamp holder has 3 wires (sidelight, indicator and common earth). There is also an "outer" amber which is in a separate housing at the rear of the light unit (pointing to the side of the car). This is a standard sidelight cicuit.
The T85s have a small hole in the base of the lamp unit. I bought regular sidelight bulb holders from Autozone and these slot into the housing.
My plan is to disable the sidelight function on the "inner" by snipping the brown wire leaving indicators on the "inner" and amber sidelight on the "outer" (see Lus1fers description on his website). I think the "outer" amber should be fine as it shows to the side of the vehicle. If not, I'll pull the bulbs for SVA. I'll then hook up the new integral sidelight by running a parallel circuit from the "outer" sidelight wires to the new bulb holders.
That should give me sidelights when the rotary switch is in the sidelight position although the headlights will be "up".
The new harness plugs into the existing wiring harness at the passenger side. It adapts the wiring to the T85s to give a single connector to each headlight bulb. This gives low and high beam from one connector (rather than separate connectors on the existing stock headlamps.
Does that make sense?
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