Appearance & Detailing Interior & Exterior Appearance Modifications

LEDS in Brake Lights

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 10, 2010 | 11:51 AM
  #1  
Midnight00SS's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 3
Question LEDS in Brake Lights

I just converted my rear side markers to leds, and was wondering wut i can use to match the back in the taillamps, few questions, i know there are the 194 bulbs back there for the running lights, if i change those to leds will there even be any difference in brightness or should i save my money, also looking to do the brakes too, and do they make a brighter none led bulb for the amber turn signal?? i appreciate any help
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2010 | 11:39 PM
  #2  
Midnight00SS's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 3
Default

Originally Posted by Ls1CamaroGuy87
SMDs in the running lights will be brighter than stock 194 bulbs, but the brake lights won't unless your tails are tinted. If you have SMDs in both the running lights and brake lights it is very difficult to see the difference in brightness between the two. In other words, it will be harder to tell when you are braking.

...Maybe just change the running lights and keep the brake bulbs you currently have.
ok cool, wut do u mean by the SMDs?
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2010 | 08:54 AM
  #3  
djfury05's Avatar
10 Second Club
15 Year Member
iTrader: (30)
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 4
From: Beaufort, SC
Default

Have you ever used the search function? Or do you just like to clutter up the appearance section with LED questions?
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2010 | 09:52 AM
  #4  
9WhiteCamaro9's Avatar
TECH Junkie
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,551
Likes: 2
From: Rutherford, North Carolina
Default

The only difference you would notice it the sudden on/off like how the higher end cars do. After I put my LED's in and noticed there wasn't much difference in the light out put, I left them in cause of the sudden on/off like said before, because of the higher end cars. Plus I wanted an up to date look when I would hit the brakes and what not.
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2010 | 12:03 AM
  #5  
Midnight00SS's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 3
Default

Originally Posted by 9WhiteCamaro9
The only difference you would notice it the sudden on/off like how the higher end cars do. After I put my LED's in and noticed there wasn't much difference in the light out put, I left them in cause of the sudden on/off like said before, because of the higher end cars. Plus I wanted an up to date look when I would hit the brakes and what not.
gotcha which ones did u use for ur tails?
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2010 | 01:22 AM
  #6  
Midnight00SS's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 3
Default

wuts the led u used?
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2010 | 05:10 PM
  #7  
Ls1CamaroGuy87's Avatar
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,409
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area California
Default

Brakes: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2x-31...item3cb129d565
I know of some better ones, but these are nice and much cheaper^

Running light are the same ones you used for your gauge cluster.
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2010 | 05:30 PM
  #8  
Midnight00SS's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 3
Default

Originally Posted by Ls1CamaroGuy87
Brakes: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2x-31...item3cb129d565
I know of some better ones, but these are nice and much cheaper^

Running light are the same ones you used for your gauge cluster.
yea but wut color do u use?
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 12, 2010 | 09:50 PM
  #9  
Ls1CamaroGuy87's Avatar
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,409
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area California
Default

It says red on the listing I posted...lol

Red lens= red
amber lens= amber
clear lens =white
pretty straight forward
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2010 | 11:20 PM
  #10  
Midnight00SS's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 3
Default

Originally Posted by Ls1CamaroGuy87
It says red on the listing I posted...lol

Red lens= red
amber lens= amber
clear lens =white
pretty straight forward
ok cool, i must have missed that, i think im gonna get the brake ones and the running lights in the tails too
Reply
Old Dec 15, 2010 | 12:46 PM
  #11  
Midnight00SS's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 3
Default

just ordered the 20 Led tower ones for the brakes, and the wledrxhp5s for the 194 tails both in red
Reply
Old Dec 15, 2010 | 08:40 PM
  #12  
_JB_'s Avatar
TECH Junkie
20 Year Member
Photoriffic
Community Favorite
iTrader: (33)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,764
Likes: 27
From: Tampa, FL
Default

Led bulbs in the brake lights are worthless. The only good way to get led lights back there is with a custom application. I've spent $20-30 on one bulb, only to find out one of two things:
1. Very poor light spread in the taillight. You will see a very bright circle in the taillight.
2. When the sun is directly on the taillight, good luck seeing the bulb light up.

I have also tired a set of led bulbs in the DRL, and they had about 1/2 th light output. I do have LEDs in my sidemarker lights though.
Reply
Old Dec 15, 2010 | 11:32 PM
  #13  
Midnight00SS's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 3
Default

Originally Posted by _JB_
Led bulbs in the brake lights are worthless. The only good way to get led lights back there is with a custom application. I've spent $20-30 on one bulb, only to find out one of two things:
1. Very poor light spread in the taillight. You will see a very bright circle in the taillight.
2. When the sun is directly on the taillight, good luck seeing the bulb light up.

I have also tired a set of led bulbs in the DRL, and they had about 1/2 th light output. I do have LEDs in my sidemarker lights though.
Yea wut kind of LED were u running?
Reply
Old Dec 16, 2010 | 01:24 AM
  #14  
Ls1CamaroGuy87's Avatar
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,409
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area California
Default

Originally Posted by _JB_
Led bulbs in the brake lights are worthless. The only good way to get led lights back there is with a custom application. I've spent $20-30 on one bulb, only to find out one of two things:
1. Very poor light spread in the taillight. You will see a very bright circle in the taillight.
2. When the sun is directly on the taillight, good luck seeing the bulb light up.

I have also tired a set of led bulbs in the DRL, and they had about 1/2 th light output. I do have LEDs in my sidemarker lights though.
^What Midnight asked first^ I'm guessing you have not tried 7W high power SMD bulbs!

Pretty general statement, but I do agree that a custom set will yield the best results, although its more of a PITA (I'm currently working on a set). Also, LEDs work more efficiently in Camaro tail lights b/c they are better suited for them. The housings are smaller than Firebird lights, so the bulb has less space to fill out and less light enters from outside. Even my 5050 3-chip SMD bulbs from ebay fill out the reflector and the running lights are noticeably brighter.

Last edited by Ls1CamaroGuy87; Dec 16, 2010 at 02:21 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 16, 2010 | 12:49 PM
  #15  
Midnight00SS's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 3
Default

Originally Posted by Ls1CamaroGuy87
^What he said first^ I'm guessing you have not tried 7W high power SMD bulbs!

Pretty general statement, but I do agree that a custom set will yield the best results, although its more of a PITA (I'm currently working on a set). Also, LEDs work more efficiently in Camaro tail lights b/c they are better suited for them. The housings are smaller than Firebird lights, so the bulb has less space to fill out and less light enters from outside. Even my 5050 3-chip SMD bulbs from ebay fill out the reflector and the running lights are noticeably brighter.
just ordered these for the brake lights :
http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED/B...34413-1-2.html
Reply
Old Dec 16, 2010 | 05:22 PM
  #16  
_JB_'s Avatar
TECH Junkie
20 Year Member
Photoriffic
Community Favorite
iTrader: (33)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,764
Likes: 27
From: Tampa, FL
Default

Pretty sure I already have those. I have a pic of some online somewhere....
Reply
Old Dec 16, 2010 | 07:05 PM
  #17  
Ls1CamaroGuy87's Avatar
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,409
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area California
Default

Like I said before, they will perform better on a Camaro.
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2010 | 01:54 AM
  #18  
Midnight00SS's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 3
Default

Originally Posted by Ls1CamaroGuy87
Like I said before, they will perform better on a Camaro.
Yea they told me on the phone that they are super bright too
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2010 | 12:51 AM
  #19  
Midnight00SS's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 3
Default

gonna install them tommorow
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2010 | 02:42 AM
  #20  
SLPGTP's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln, NE
Default

Put up pics! I'm curious!
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:33 PM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE