HID headlights
Discussion
I am having an US import C6, paddle shift auto with xenon lamps but devoid of washers.
Since SVA is a reflection of not only build issues but also current UK legistlation,it will be interesting to see what happens if the Xenon hid lamps are retained for the SVA test.
The fact that all euro-vettes come with headlamp washers must be significant, and not a measure of the generosity ot otherwise of GM(Europe).
There have been other threads relating to this issue within this forum.
This is a question to vetteheadracer:
When you stated that you had afermarket fixed lights, were you relating to either of the two C5r copies that are available stateside from a number of sources.
This being the case, can you give me your overall impresions relating to quality, fix, and light intensity.
Regards.
Since SVA is a reflection of not only build issues but also current UK legistlation,it will be interesting to see what happens if the Xenon hid lamps are retained for the SVA test.
The fact that all euro-vettes come with headlamp washers must be significant, and not a measure of the generosity ot otherwise of GM(Europe).
There have been other threads relating to this issue within this forum.
This is a question to vetteheadracer:
When you stated that you had afermarket fixed lights, were you relating to either of the two C5r copies that are available stateside from a number of sources.
This being the case, can you give me your overall impresions relating to quality, fix, and light intensity.
Regards.
owenemyr said:
This is a question to vetteheadracer:
When you stated that you had afermarket fixed lights, were you relating to either of the two C5r copies that are available stateside from a number of sources.
This being the case, can you give me your overall impresions relating to quality, fix, and light intensity.
Regards.
I got my conversion kit from the HID Factory in the USA and the light conversion is brilliant and can be applied to either a standard set of C5 lights or the fixed C5R style lights.
From memory you need the 9005 and 9006 sets.......www.xenonfactory.com
There are a number of places in the UK that do the kits too so if you know what your bulbs are you could try them as most of the kits are European made i.e. Hella or Phillips.
My question wasent really about the hid bulb kits (bulb and ballast etc), but whether your C5 Z06 was kitted with the fixed focused beam non pop-up headlights as used on the C5 racers.?
My one gripe with my Z06 was the pop-up headlights (I dont like them on my BMW 840 either), you cant flash anyone (no pun intended) to overtake unless they are elevated
My one gripe with my Z06 was the pop-up headlights (I dont like them on my BMW 840 either), you cant flash anyone (no pun intended) to overtake unless they are elevated
owenemyr said:
I am having an US import C6, paddle shift auto with xenon lamps but devoid of washers.
Since SVA is a reflection of not only build issues but also current UK legistlation,it will be interesting to see what happens if the Xenon hid lamps are retained for the SVA test.
The fact that all euro-vettes come with headlamp washers must be significant, and not a measure of the generosity ot otherwise of GM(Europe).
There have been other threads relating to this issue within this forum.
This is a question to vetteheadracer:
When you stated that you had afermarket fixed lights, were you relating to either of the two C5r copies that are available stateside from a number of sources.
This being the case, can you give me your overall impresions relating to quality, fix, and light intensity.
Regards.
Since SVA is a reflection of not only build issues but also current UK legistlation,it will be interesting to see what happens if the Xenon hid lamps are retained for the SVA test.
The fact that all euro-vettes come with headlamp washers must be significant, and not a measure of the generosity ot otherwise of GM(Europe).
There have been other threads relating to this issue within this forum.
This is a question to vetteheadracer:
When you stated that you had afermarket fixed lights, were you relating to either of the two C5r copies that are available stateside from a number of sources.
This being the case, can you give me your overall impresions relating to quality, fix, and light intensity.
Regards.
owenemyr said:
I am having an US import C6, paddle shift auto with xenon lamps but devoid of washers.
Since SVA is a reflection of not only build issues but also current UK legistlation,it will be interesting to see what happens if the Xenon hid lamps are retained for the SVA test.
The fact that all euro-vettes come with headlamp washers must be significant, and not a measure of the generosity ot otherwise of GM(Europe)..
Since SVA is a reflection of not only build issues but also current UK legistlation,it will be interesting to see what happens if the Xenon hid lamps are retained for the SVA test.
The fact that all euro-vettes come with headlamp washers must be significant, and not a measure of the generosity ot otherwise of GM(Europe)..
Bl**dy h&ll, not only do we have to have glass showing now to spoil the lines, we gotta have washers too

Further information.
EU legistlation (which the UK slavishly follows),states that all new vehicles when fitted with HID lighting, MUST! MUST! MUST! HAVE BOTH A SELF LEVELLING SYSTEM AND LENS WASH.
The position of aftermarket fitting is a grey area, but it is highly probable that the situation is that you can buy them, but it would be ilegal to use, and an MOT failure unless the above criteria are met.See: www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/home.php
Life is a bugger, is it not.
EU legistlation (which the UK slavishly follows),states that all new vehicles when fitted with HID lighting, MUST! MUST! MUST! HAVE BOTH A SELF LEVELLING SYSTEM AND LENS WASH.
The position of aftermarket fitting is a grey area, but it is highly probable that the situation is that you can buy them, but it would be ilegal to use, and an MOT failure unless the above criteria are met.See: www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/home.php
Life is a bugger, is it not.
Let's face it - you're fairly unlikely to get failed at the MOT, unless by a zealous tester.
However, the aftermarket kits that replace your standard bulbs are very iffy, and not type approved for installation.
The problem with xenons is they are so good - in terms of light output (about 2.5 times as bright as filament bulbs) - so to stop the increased effects of dazzling oncoming motorists, they dynamically self level (e.g. when the car accelerates), and you have washers so the lenses are kept clean so the dirt doesn't scatter the light.
As for pop-ups and flashing the lights - the MX5 lights pop up in no time at all, and flash, with the usual pull of the indicator stalk - shame the Vette ones don't!
However, the aftermarket kits that replace your standard bulbs are very iffy, and not type approved for installation.
The problem with xenons is they are so good - in terms of light output (about 2.5 times as bright as filament bulbs) - so to stop the increased effects of dazzling oncoming motorists, they dynamically self level (e.g. when the car accelerates), and you have washers so the lenses are kept clean so the dirt doesn't scatter the light.
As for pop-ups and flashing the lights - the MX5 lights pop up in no time at all, and flash, with the usual pull of the indicator stalk - shame the Vette ones don't!
Just to add further to the confusion and that aftermarket kits are a grey area.
Look up this web site:
www.h-i-d.co.uk/index.shtml
This company is adamant that the legistlation only applies to new cars, and claim legal support for that statement.Whatever the truth, its a mess, but you may get away with it during an MOT.
One thing however is certain, my new C6 from the states will have a potential SVA problem since it will come with the xenon lights but no lens wash, buggered again!
Look up this web site:
www.h-i-d.co.uk/index.shtml
This company is adamant that the legistlation only applies to new cars, and claim legal support for that statement.Whatever the truth, its a mess, but you may get away with it during an MOT.
One thing however is certain, my new C6 from the states will have a potential SVA problem since it will come with the xenon lights but no lens wash, buggered again!
ERIKTHEVETKING said:
mmmm my C6 Z06 has HID lighting but no lamp washers as a U.S. import. Will this affect my MOT in 3 years time???
I notice Godzilla's Euro Vette does have lamp washers ....
Eric
I notice Godzilla's Euro Vette does have lamp washers ....
Eric
No problem for MOT at all,All so the US spec cars have no kick to the right so you have an advantage ! they have a flat beam pattern.
The issue is not whether you have a flat beam/left dip, rather the issue is one of scatter when wet/dirty lens that you cannot wash clean, and only an issue with hid lamps.
All US C6 corvettes imported new or otherwise have their xenon hid lamps changed to halogens by the various SVA fixers.Should the owner decide to convert back to the original xenons, then legally they are for "off road" use.The GM factory in Belgium convert all cars to the required European standards.
All the SVA fixers that I have enquired including such reputable companies as Teslayn engineering are adamant about this point: hid lamps without lens wash are ilegal and a MOT fail, whether the car is new or an aftermarket fix.
For corvettes, self levelling is not an issue because of the car's height.
All US C6 corvettes imported new or otherwise have their xenon hid lamps changed to halogens by the various SVA fixers.Should the owner decide to convert back to the original xenons, then legally they are for "off road" use.The GM factory in Belgium convert all cars to the required European standards.
All the SVA fixers that I have enquired including such reputable companies as Teslayn engineering are adamant about this point: hid lamps without lens wash are ilegal and a MOT fail, whether the car is new or an aftermarket fix.
For corvettes, self levelling is not an issue because of the car's height.
owenemyr said:
My one gripe with my Z06 was the pop-up headlights (I dont like them on my BMW 840 either), you cant flash anyone (no pun intended) to overtake unless they are elevated
Maybe it's a conversion of some sort, but my 2000 C5 'vert flashes the front fogs when the headlamps are down, lights off. When they are up, only the main beam works as you would expect (no fogs show)
owenemyr said:
The issue is not whether you have a flat beam/left dip, rather the issue is one of scatter when wet/dirty lens that you cannot wash clean, and only an issue with hid lamps.
All US C6 corvettes imported new or otherwise have their xenon hid lamps changed to halogens by the various SVA fixers.Should the owner decide to convert back to the original xenons, then legally they are for "off road" use.The GM factory in Belgium convert all cars to the required European standards.
All the SVA fixers that I have enquired including such reputable companies as Teslayn engineering are adamant about this point: hid lamps without lens wash are ilegal and a MOT fail, whether the car is new or an aftermarket fix.
For corvettes, self levelling is not an issue because of the car's height.
All US C6 corvettes imported new or otherwise have their xenon hid lamps changed to halogens by the various SVA fixers.Should the owner decide to convert back to the original xenons, then legally they are for "off road" use.The GM factory in Belgium convert all cars to the required European standards.
All the SVA fixers that I have enquired including such reputable companies as Teslayn engineering are adamant about this point: hid lamps without lens wash are ilegal and a MOT fail, whether the car is new or an aftermarket fix.
For corvettes, self levelling is not an issue because of the car's height.
I can see your point, but without a wiper on the lamp the water sits on it anyway doesn,t it !!!!
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I'll get on to the guys that sold it to me and see what they say ...