Mirrors: Camaro vs. Firebird
Mirrors: Camaro vs. Firebird I know that the housings are different, but is the glass in the Firebird side mirrors the same as the glass in the Camaro mirrors?
The reason why I ask is because I found a company that sells heated and blue tinted (tint doesn't matter either way) mirrors for the firebirds, but not for the Camaros. I purchased my SS to be used as a DD which means that I will be driving it straight through the winter seasons too. I'd like to have heated mirrors but there really isn't much out there at all.
The reason why I ask is because I found a company that sells heated and blue tinted (tint doesn't matter either way) mirrors for the firebirds, but not for the Camaros. I purchased my SS to be used as a DD which means that I will be driving it straight through the winter seasons too. I'd like to have heated mirrors but there really isn't much out there at all.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
The very fact that the company offers replacements for one model but not the other is a good indication that they are different mirrors. I checked the parts list and there is no overlap between part numbers (none of the Camaro mirror glass part numbers are listed for Firebird and vice versa).
I can get a picture of my mirror to post up, but it probably won't be until tomorrow.
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Did a little digging and here is what I am thinking...
I found this on the site with the heated mirrors:
http://www.burcoinc.com/products/oth...di_heat_grids/
I couldn't quite understand how this would be installed until I found this:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/stereo-el...r-signals.html
So, basically, the mirrors are taped/glued into a backing "tray". If you remove the mirror from the tray you could mount the Redi Heats on the back of the mirror glass, tape/glue the mirror back in the tray, and run the wires through the back of the tray. Of course, this assumes that the Redi Heats pad will fit behind the Camaro mirror (depends on shape/size).
Am I on to something here?
http://www.mirrorglassplus.com/heatedinstall.shtml
I found this on the site with the heated mirrors:
http://www.burcoinc.com/products/oth...di_heat_grids/
I couldn't quite understand how this would be installed until I found this:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/stereo-el...r-signals.html
So, basically, the mirrors are taped/glued into a backing "tray". If you remove the mirror from the tray you could mount the Redi Heats on the back of the mirror glass, tape/glue the mirror back in the tray, and run the wires through the back of the tray. Of course, this assumes that the Redi Heats pad will fit behind the Camaro mirror (depends on shape/size).
Am I on to something here?
http://www.mirrorglassplus.com/heatedinstall.shtml
Last edited by stingrayj; Sep 26, 2011 at 02:54 PM.
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Verdad Gallardo I am about ready to purchase these and give it a try.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...84.m1423.l2649
My question now is how to wire them? Can I just splice into the wires coming out of the back of the defogger switch? Will that overload the circuit? If so, how could that be compensated?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...84.m1423.l2649
My question now is how to wire them? Can I just splice into the wires coming out of the back of the defogger switch? Will that overload the circuit? If so, how could that be compensated?
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
You'd have to know how many amps the mirror heaters draw. The rear defroster uses about 25 amps on a 30 amp circuit breaker so there isn't much left to play with. The only way around that would be using a relay.
I'm not up to speed with my electrical wiring once the well defined instructions end. If a relay or anything else is needed, I will need some pretty clear assistance in making this happen.
I'd really like to keep it on the same switch as the rear defogger if at all possible. It keeps everything clean, simple, and looking stock.
If it ever stops raining longer than 24 hours I might actually wash the car. So, please excuse the dirt.
Just the mirror (driver's side)...
Driver's side mirror with template...
Passenger' side mirror with template...
My template does not perfectly reflect the actual product. The actual product has different curves on each end. The passenger's side mirror is a bit longer and has some wiggle room to deal with varying geometry in the actual product. The driver's side mirror, however, is on the very edge of fitting with my template. Even though it does appear to overhang the edge, it is just that the template isn't laying perfectly flat against the mirror plus the angle of the picture. When it is flat it is right on the outer edge.
So, now I am skeptical as to whether or not I want to give this a try since I am doubtful that the heater grids will actually fit behind the mirrors. Plus, the existing electrical circuit that I wanted to use doesn't appear to be capable of handling the additional amps.
I'm open to options and suggestions...
Just the mirror (driver's side)...
Driver's side mirror with template...
Passenger' side mirror with template...
My template does not perfectly reflect the actual product. The actual product has different curves on each end. The passenger's side mirror is a bit longer and has some wiggle room to deal with varying geometry in the actual product. The driver's side mirror, however, is on the very edge of fitting with my template. Even though it does appear to overhang the edge, it is just that the template isn't laying perfectly flat against the mirror plus the angle of the picture. When it is flat it is right on the outer edge.
So, now I am skeptical as to whether or not I want to give this a try since I am doubtful that the heater grids will actually fit behind the mirrors. Plus, the existing electrical circuit that I wanted to use doesn't appear to be capable of handling the additional amps.
I'm open to options and suggestions...
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
I can't help you with the template but the wiring is not too much of a problem. You would just use the rear defroster output (the purple wire from the switch) to energize a relay that then directs battery power to the mirrors. It's a little extra wiring behind the scenes but it would look and function like it was factory installed.
I contacted Muth Mirror Systems and they said that they can offer a complete package including new glass with heating elements installed (a bonus incase one breaks during disassembly) and the H-mod kit (wiring package). This package will cost roughly $65 more than the method mentioned above once everything is said and done (because it includes new glass), but I have much more confidence that Muth's package will fit and work as I want it to.
Still, with the cost north of $160, I'm not sure that I want to spend that much on heated mirrors. Then again, it is a bitch to scrape ice off of the 4th gen mirrors.
Detailed instructions for installing the h-mod kit from Muth...
http://www.muthco.com/epapers/21000931.pdf
Still, with the cost north of $160, I'm not sure that I want to spend that much on heated mirrors. Then again, it is a bitch to scrape ice off of the 4th gen mirrors.
Detailed instructions for installing the h-mod kit from Muth...
http://www.muthco.com/epapers/21000931.pdf
Last edited by WhiteBird00; Sep 29, 2011 at 12:48 PM. Reason: Merge consecutive posts
