SilverSS07

iTrader: (1)

Hey guys. I found a bunch of threads about LED's but I was curious if anyone has tried the h1157 bulbs in the taillights. The only thing I can find is that they *may* produce too much heat and melt/warp the lens but can't find anyone that has had that issue. Mine are tinted (painted) and can be harder to see depending on the time of day. Thanks.

ZexGX

iTrader: (28)

H1157 and 1157 in general are the wrong style of bulb. Completely wrong base. Start by using this list to see what types of bulbs work in the first place: https://ls1tech.com/forums/appearanc...bulb-list.html

SilverSS07

iTrader: (1)

The list is wrong for mine. It's a 95 and has 1157 style sockets. I got another harness for it out of a '93 since the PO butchered it and it has the 1157 style sockets also. I'm not positive but I thought all 93-97 cars were like this? I put some 2357 bulbs in yesterday which helped brighten it up some more with the brakes on but there's too many vision challenged people here in FL lol.

blue09rocket

I checked out the H1157 bulbs and there is a warning on there to not use them in plastic sockets.
I used the Silverstar high performance bulbs in my tails, they are a little brighter than stock but not much.

SilverSS07

iTrader: (1)

Which silverstar bulbs did you use? 1157 bulbs are 3w parking and 32w brakes. 2357 bulbs are same parking but 40w brake. I thought about trying them. I also found some 1157 style bulbs online that are 3w parking and 50w brake. Might try those next.

blue09rocket

I bought the ones that have a slightly bluish tint on the bulb glass, not the clear.

ZexGX

iTrader: (28)

I would recommend some high wattage LED options versus potentially melting your housings and sockets with a 50w tungsten bulb. Also, thanks for the info on the sockets. I'll update the list when I find out the correct year range since nobody has bothered to tell me before.

SilverSS07

iTrader: (1)

Any led's you would recommend? I found some 30w cree led's on ebay. Didn't know if they were any good or not.

justin455

Ebay leds are gonna be hit or miss, though cree is usually seen as a decent brand.

If you want the absolute best quality and light output for your tail/brake lights...you need to pony up the cash.

http://www.vleds.com/catalogsearch/r...rake+lightsbay

SilverSS07

iTrader: (1)

Wow I don't want led's that bad lol.

justin455

Yeah, the Triton V3s are ridiculous. I'm sure they're awesome, but I can't spend $100+ on two bulbs. The $50 pairs are much more doable and still give a much better output than pretty much any other bulb.
On stock lights I would go for the ebay leds and see how they do. If my lights where tinted I would spend the $50 for some quality lights. $50 is a small price to pay to not be rear-ended because someone can't see my brake lights. Not to mention, in that instance, the tinted tails would probably put the driver at fault even though they were rear-ended.

blue09rocket

I wonder if the amber ones would work in the front DRLs, Ill have to send them an email and find out. But as you said the price is a little steep.

ZexGX

iTrader: (28)

Not only that, each Triton V3 bulb is rated at a measly 210lm max. That is not a very high output number at all.

I have these in my car (you can get them with the 1157 style base): http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-X-7-5Watt-LED-Hi-Bright-STOP-TAIL-LIGHT-4157-3157-3057A-Wedge-Bulbs-RED-/390817929735?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5afe905a07&vxp=mtrPic comparing some tungsten bulbs (right) to the above 3157 style LEDs (left) - this is just the running lights, brake pedal is not being pressed:

The outer 194 tail light bulbs on both housings were still tungsten bulbs at the time of the picture.

And a video:

There are even newer and brighter LEDs than this on eBay. Here is a newer design using Samsung LEDs, but not sure how they compare to the ones in my car: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-16W-1157-2357-Samsung-COB-high-power-LED-SMD-Super-Red-Brake-Turn-signals-/281257971843?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item417c481083They need to be short. There are notable depth clearance issues to consider for front DRL housings, side DRL housings, and rear tail light 194 style bulbs.

_JB_

iTrader: (33)

210lm may sound weak, but they are brighter than what you posted.

ZexGX

iTrader: (28)

These ones are the 1157 versions of the ones that I have... It has a claimed lumen output of 350lm. A similar ad lists 370lm. http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-x-1157-BAY15D-High-Power-7-5W-Super-Red-Car-Brake-Reverse-Gangster-Led-Light-/281024086381?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item416e57416d&vxp=mtr
Lumen ratings vary wildly depending on equipment used and environment, like heads and flow benches. The only way to know for sure is to put them side by side... and I don't know anyone around me who would be willing to drop $120 on two LED bulbs.

_JB_

iTrader: (33)

I have white 7.5w in backup bulbs in one car, and some other "high power" 3157 amber ones (I cannot remeber the exact wattage, I want to say 20w). None are brighter than 70% of a stock bulb, AT NIGHT. During the day, they are almost useless. Tritons are the best direct swap LEDs out there currently and are on par with stock bulbs.

ZexGX

iTrader: (28)

Huh. That's odd. All the 7.5w style LEDs I've used in my car were notably brighter than stock bulbs (and evident in pictures). I've followed my car before at night and realized that they are annoyingly bright compared to Sylvania tungstens. Had friends make similar comments too. If you have red Triton V3's in your tail lights, I'd be willing to ship you my 7.5w 3157s so you can compare them in a side-by-side ( and then return them, of course ).

_JB_

iTrader: (33)

Night pictures do not justify how good a bulb is, as a 74 bulb can look bright. Its the daylight, directly in the sun pics that count. There's a reason why every single led bulb picture is show in dark conditions. There have been countless threads where I ask for direct, in the sunlight pics and nobody ever posts up. This occurs across multiple forms as well.

I do not have red Tritons but there is a member on here who does, and they posted direct sunlight pics. The title of the thread has Triton v3 in it if I remember correctly.

Found it: https://ls1tech.com/forums/appearanc...installed.html

SilverSS07

iTrader: (1)

^^^That's one reason I'm leary about going with LED's. I like the way they look and don't mind getting a different flasher but the 1157 bulb is rated @ 402 lumens, and the 2357 bulbs I have in there now are 503 lumens. I definitely don't want to spend $ on bulbs just to switch back to what's in there now. Also found that 3157 bulbs are rated at 400 lumens.

_JB_

iTrader: (33)

Yeah I feel your pain. Like ZexGX says, the advertised lumen output is pretty much garbage since there are so many ways to measure it. I guess you could always ask whatever led manufacturer you choose if they will issue a refund if they are not bright enough.