[alextheromanian]

Id like to swap out my factory bulbs for some LED ones. Ive found a range of them that differ in lumens but most seem to all advertise around the same range of power and K rating. either way those are more a matter of taste in terms of hue. what i need to know is anyone out there on the interwebs running LED bulbs for the headlights and did you have to cut holes in the caps or run any other wiring?

I have experience with HIDs from the aftermarket... on plenty of other cars but not LEDs...and before i shell out 50-100 on any random ones, i was hoping to get a bit of knowledge from you fine folks.

for the record my factory ones are ok...id say they arent terrible, but im needless to say itching to upgrade them. all ive found so far was discussions on HIDs and other random stuff.

any help would be really welcome

 

[somms]

http://uphid.en.alibaba.com/

I had the above pictured G7 aftermarket LED headlamps installed in my Gen1 for over a year w/o issue until some lady plowed into me!

I then took this opportunity to have the body shop repairing my Volt (which included replacing both headlamp assy) upgrade up to the 'latest' S2 type instead which are improved lumen and all the electronics are now condensed into the LED bulb itself (no more separate ballast to stash away which was the case with the older G7)!

I've probably been running those on my Gen1 for @6months now w/o issue. Both types were relatively cheap and produced by the same Chinese aftermarket manufacturer...YMMV!

 

[DMC5180]

From what others that have said that tried LED Headlights. They don't work well in the Projector housings.

I run them in my conventional housings on my Gen 2 Prius and am happy with the results. For the Volt I stayed with an HID conversation kit.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Dutch]

It's amazing how fast my Gen5 setup grew "old" (LOL)

 

[Mister Dave]

It's amazing how fast my Gen5 setup grew "old" (LOL)

I'm still happy with mine, whatever generation it is. The important point being that LED bulbs have matured enough to be a good choice, and there are more choices than ever.

 

[Barry]

I have something like the Gen 5 above in my 2013 Volt, for over a year. I like them. Much better than stock. No cutting holes. No running wiring. Everything just plugged into the existing connectors and fit inside the headlamp housings. I like the idea that they will probably outlast the car-- zero maintenance. And better light.

 

[colchiro]

I try to avoid LED bulbs with fans. With a quiet vehicle and high-speed fans, you're setting yourself up for disappointment.

 

[turboguy327]

LED bulbs appear brighter but they just can't shine as far. LED bulb swaps are still lackluster at best. HID is what you want. Ignore the fact LED bulbs exist. They may appear an improvement on the "butt dyno" but they aren't worth the $ for the improvement.

 

[turboguy327]

Where in upstate NY are you as I am too.

 

[colchiro]

Turboguy likes to lurk in led headlight threads and tell us how stupid we are.

 

[Cheburashka]

You'll find that some folks have an irrational hatred of the idea of LED bulbs, and post in every thread they can to discourage people from using them. It's almost like a religion.

I use a 5S set-up on the above chart, and couldn't be happier with it. It's much better than stock, and there's no fan. I like the external ballast. Electronics shouldn't be inside of a small enclosed space with a hot bulb. The ballast is small, and easy to attach. I cut a small hole in the cover, and the kit had a grommet that sealed it up. If I ever go back to stock (which I probably won't) I can easily fill in the hole or purchase new covers.

 

[Sly Bob]

I have no interest in HIDs but I don't know that LEDs are ready in the aftermarket. Looking to do an LED upgrade for my 2014 when a compelling reason to do so exists.

 

[turboguy327]

Turboguy likes to lurk in led headlight threads and tell us how stupid we are.

Lol. LEDs just don't have the balls. Just because many cars have LED headlights doesn't automatically make a LED bulb swap a good idea. I've proven it in many threads how lackluster a LED bulb swap is. I can't install LED bulbs anymore or I'd do it again.

It's not that your stupid. You just see it as a improvement, it is, but barely. Looking at the headlights it's brighter and they shine off reflective surfaces better but a bulb swap just can't shine down the road like halogen or HID.

 

[turboguy327]

I have no interest in HIDs but I don't know that LEDs are ready in the aftermarket. Looking to do an LED upgrade for my 2014 when a compelling reason to do so exists.

Why no interest in HIDs? You'd be way better with HIDs over a LED bulb swap.

 

[somms]

 

[Mister Dave]

all ive found so far was discussions on HIDs and other random stuff.

http://gm-volt.com/forum/search.php?searchid=60595393

 

[turboguy327]

"Latest and greatest" LED on top
HID on bottom....

 

[Cheburashka]

Yes, that's what they look like when you don't clock them properly. Mine have a pattern that looks like the one on the bottom. Plus it isn't clear how you got them to stack like that. Did you deliberately misadjust the LED so that it was out of the sweet spot of the projector lens?

This vendetta of yours is really kinda sick.

 

[Cheburashka]

Why no interest in HIDs? You'd be way better with HIDs over a LED bulb swap.

For one, aftermarket HIDs in housings that don't self-level (like the Volt) tend to blind oncoming traffic. You'd have to be kind of an asshole to use them.

 

[turboguy327]

Yes, that's what they look like when you don't clock them properly. Mine have a pattern that looks like the one on the bottom. Plus it isn't clear how you got them to stack like that. Did you deliberately misadjust the LED so that it was out of the sweet spot of the projector lens?

This vendetta of yours is really kinda sick.

The stock projector is removed from the housing. There is no vendetta. Just trying to stop the spread of misinformation.