Tailight Bulbs
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I would advise against running a hotter bulb as the flat base type bulbs are prone to melting the bulb sockets at the stock amperage, let alone at a higher one. This is the case along all of the manufacturers, not just gm.
If you want brighter, led is the only safe way, but the aftermarket led bulbs are junk and don't last.
the other option i have seen is from ford, they have been running led bulbs that are replaceable on some of their newer models like the mustang and some lincons.
In the end its your choice but keep in mind your bulb sockets will burn out quicker with the higher wattage bulbs, and gm wants 25-70 bucks a peice depending on the style.
thanks
anthony
If you want brighter, led is the only safe way, but the aftermarket led bulbs are junk and don't last.
the other option i have seen is from ford, they have been running led bulbs that are replaceable on some of their newer models like the mustang and some lincons.
In the end its your choice but keep in mind your bulb sockets will burn out quicker with the higher wattage bulbs, and gm wants 25-70 bucks a peice depending on the style.
thanks
anthony
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Thread Starter
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I would advise against running a hotter bulb as the flat base type bulbs are prone to melting the bulb sockets at the stock amperage, let alone at a higher one. This is the case along all of the manufacturers, not just gm.
If you want brighter, led is the only safe way, but the aftermarket led bulbs are junk and don't last.
the other option i have seen is from ford, they have been running led bulbs that are replaceable on some of their newer models like the mustang and some lincons.
In the end its your choice but keep in mind your bulb sockets will burn out quicker with the higher wattage bulbs, and gm wants 25-70 bucks a peice depending on the style.
thanks
anthony
If you want brighter, led is the only safe way, but the aftermarket led bulbs are junk and don't last.
the other option i have seen is from ford, they have been running led bulbs that are replaceable on some of their newer models like the mustang and some lincons.
In the end its your choice but keep in mind your bulb sockets will burn out quicker with the higher wattage bulbs, and gm wants 25-70 bucks a peice depending on the style.
thanks
anthony
Just my experience, figured i would post up the possible problems of installing higher wattage bulbs.
As always, you the owner has to make the decision off of info posted and there are tons of opinions as always on what works and what does not.
Thread Starter
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If you search on google for melted tail lamp sockets and front park light / daytime running light sockets you should find pics of what i am talking about. I am an electrical automotive tech and have replaced a ton of these over the years due to the heat melting to contact mounts. the factory bulb that is glass base never causes problems, but the replacement bulbs you can buy have a plastic base which can accelerate the problem due to the terminals on the bulb not being completely supported like with the glass base style. This is more prominent on the trucks, but i have replaced several on f-body's as well.
Just my experience, figured i would post up the possible problems of installing higher wattage bulbs.
As always, you the owner has to make the decision off of info posted and there are tons of opinions as always on what works and what does not.
Just my experience, figured i would post up the possible problems of installing higher wattage bulbs.
As always, you the owner has to make the decision off of info posted and there are tons of opinions as always on what works and what does not.
Here are the spec ratings between the two bulbs.
3157:
category: Miniature
volt: 12.8 / 14
amp: 2.1 / 0.59
watt: 26.9 / 8.26
base: W2.5x16q
glass: S8
filament: C6/C6
fil.res.: 6.1 / 23.7 ohm
m.o.l.: 2.09 inch (53MM)
l.c.l.: 1.1 inch (27.9MM)
burn pos: burn lamp in ANY position
i.lumens: 402 / 37.7
cp: 32 / 3
cri: 99
d.hours: 2000 / 10000
3457:
category: Miniature
volt: 12.8 / 14
amp: 2.23 / 0.59
watt: 28.5 / 8.26
base: W2.5x16q
glass: S8
filament: C6/C6
fil.res.: 5.74 / 23.7 ohm
m.o.l.: 2.09 inch (53MM)
l.c.l.: 1.1 inch (27.9MM)
i.lumens: 503 / 37.7
cp: 40 / 3
d.hours: 400 / 5000
When I mentioned that there are LED tails already sold I meant these. There are a couple different styles.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2010-CHEVY-C...e1205f&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-11-Chevy-...e4f7ca&vxp=mtr
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 3
Sorry about the late response. You should have no issues running the larger bulb. I doubt that you would melt the housing or the bulb connector. LEDs will not be brighter in a housing that is meant for a halogen bulb due to the reflector reflecting the all around light produced by a halogen bulb, versus the direct light out out by an LED bulb.
Here are the spec ratings between the two bulbs.
3157:
category: Miniature
volt: 12.8 / 14
amp: 2.1 / 0.59
watt: 26.9 / 8.26
base: W2.5x16q
glass: S8
filament: C6/C6
fil.res.: 6.1 / 23.7 ohm
m.o.l.: 2.09 inch (53MM)
l.c.l.: 1.1 inch (27.9MM)
burn pos: burn lamp in ANY position
i.lumens: 402 / 37.7
cp: 32 / 3
cri: 99
d.hours: 2000 / 10000
3457:
category: Miniature
volt: 12.8 / 14
amp: 2.23 / 0.59
watt: 28.5 / 8.26
base: W2.5x16q
glass: S8
filament: C6/C6
fil.res.: 5.74 / 23.7 ohm
m.o.l.: 2.09 inch (53MM)
l.c.l.: 1.1 inch (27.9MM)
i.lumens: 503 / 37.7
cp: 40 / 3
d.hours: 400 / 5000
When I mentioned that there are LED tails already sold I meant these. There are a couple different styles.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2010-CHEVY-C...e1205f&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-11-Chevy-...e4f7ca&vxp=mtr
Here are the spec ratings between the two bulbs.
3157:
category: Miniature
volt: 12.8 / 14
amp: 2.1 / 0.59
watt: 26.9 / 8.26
base: W2.5x16q
glass: S8
filament: C6/C6
fil.res.: 6.1 / 23.7 ohm
m.o.l.: 2.09 inch (53MM)
l.c.l.: 1.1 inch (27.9MM)
burn pos: burn lamp in ANY position
i.lumens: 402 / 37.7
cp: 32 / 3
cri: 99
d.hours: 2000 / 10000
3457:
category: Miniature
volt: 12.8 / 14
amp: 2.23 / 0.59
watt: 28.5 / 8.26
base: W2.5x16q
glass: S8
filament: C6/C6
fil.res.: 5.74 / 23.7 ohm
m.o.l.: 2.09 inch (53MM)
l.c.l.: 1.1 inch (27.9MM)
i.lumens: 503 / 37.7
cp: 40 / 3
d.hours: 400 / 5000
When I mentioned that there are LED tails already sold I meant these. There are a couple different styles.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2010-CHEVY-C...e1205f&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-11-Chevy-...e4f7ca&vxp=mtr
Yea looking to keep the originals in there for now, but i did see them
When I swapped to 3457 in my Grand Prix tail lights, I did notice a difference from going from the stock size of 3157. I never had issues with the lense or light socket melting.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 3
Just searched and found this thread. The tail light bulbs on a firebird run very hot. This is normal I'm assuming? I just replaced mine and decided to feel them before putting the tailight back in.
