saudivette
Clueless In Sandland
I don't know if many people have done this mod to their Vette but I have and am very happy with it. You've probably seen my response when someone starts a thread about headlights not, or slow, coming up or going down or any other myriad of vacuum related problems - vacuum SUX, go electric.
The hard work for this mod has been taken away by Chris McDonald who sells a "Killer Lights" bracket kit that you'll need so you can install 93-97 Firebird headlight actuators, in place of the original vacuum setup.
I'm not affiliated with Chris in any way, nor do I stand to make any money if anyone buys his kits. Chris is a very helpful guy and his kit is a great way to upgrade your car with an OEM style look and operation. I won't do a step by step install here as the instructions on Chris's web page are very detailed and easy to follow, so I'll just do a brief rundown.
The parts you'll need for your conversion are:
Buying these parts new from GMpartsdirect will set you back around $580, plus $99.95 for the bracket kit. I paid around $250 for all the parts (eBay) and $99.95 for the bracket kit.
I also opened up the motors and replaced the nylon gears with CNC brass ones. Can't remember how much they cost but I think it was worth the money - nylon gears can strip, brass never will. There's a link on Chris's page to a guy who makes them.
You'll need to remove the old vacuum actuators from both sides but keep the clevis pins.
The bracket kit comes with bump stops that you'll need to attach to the Firebird actuator arms.
Using the old actuator mounting holes as a guide, you need to mark and drill the holes for the new brackets, then bolt the brackets on. Then bolt the motors onto the brackets and attach the arms.
Using the original clevis pin, attach the firebird arm to the headlight assembly - you'll probably need to manually wind the motor one way or the other to allow the hole in the arm to line up with the mounting hole in the headlight assembly so that the clevis pin will go in.
You'll probably need to adjust the closed position of the headlight door so it sits correctly, but that's the mechanical side basically finished.
The hard work for this mod has been taken away by Chris McDonald who sells a "Killer Lights" bracket kit that you'll need so you can install 93-97 Firebird headlight actuators, in place of the original vacuum setup.
I'm not affiliated with Chris in any way, nor do I stand to make any money if anyone buys his kits. Chris is a very helpful guy and his kit is a great way to upgrade your car with an OEM style look and operation. I won't do a step by step install here as the instructions on Chris's web page are very detailed and easy to follow, so I'll just do a brief rundown.
* * * * *
The parts you'll need for your conversion are:
- Killer Light brackets and hardware kit
- 1993-1997 Firebird Headlight actuators and lift arms. GM part # for new actuators Left 16516653 Right 16516654
- Headlight Control Module- 1990-1996 Vette. GM part #16521297
- 1984-1989 Corvette headlight switch. GM part # 1995257
- Bulk wire for running the connections (14-16 gauge)
- 1993-1997 Firebird replacement weather pack pig tails for the control module connection. GM part number for connectors: GM replacement Connector # Large - 12102775; Small - 12102776
Buying these parts new from GMpartsdirect will set you back around $580, plus $99.95 for the bracket kit. I paid around $250 for all the parts (eBay) and $99.95 for the bracket kit.
I also opened up the motors and replaced the nylon gears with CNC brass ones. Can't remember how much they cost but I think it was worth the money - nylon gears can strip, brass never will. There's a link on Chris's page to a guy who makes them.
* * * * *
You'll need to remove the old vacuum actuators from both sides but keep the clevis pins.
The bracket kit comes with bump stops that you'll need to attach to the Firebird actuator arms.
Using the old actuator mounting holes as a guide, you need to mark and drill the holes for the new brackets, then bolt the brackets on. Then bolt the motors onto the brackets and attach the arms.
Using the original clevis pin, attach the firebird arm to the headlight assembly - you'll probably need to manually wind the motor one way or the other to allow the hole in the arm to line up with the mounting hole in the headlight assembly so that the clevis pin will go in.
You'll probably need to adjust the closed position of the headlight door so it sits correctly, but that's the mechanical side basically finished.
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