LED tail light bulbs (Page 1/2)
sledcaddie SEP 12, 04:30 PM
Just returned from the Fiero 40th Anniversary and Fierorama. I had 2 different people tell me that they use LED bulbs for their tail lights. I was told that because these LED bulbs don't get as hot, there is less chance of deforming or delaminating the tail light lenses.

Your thoughts or experiences. Thanks.
IMSA GT SEP 12, 05:32 PM
People use LED because they want to stay trending. Other than that, you open up a can of worms going to an LED setup from resistors needing to be added to the light circuits to even having to change your flasher unit to an LED compatible unit. The LED lights are brighter but less broad on coverage which causes legal issues. In other words, instead of pressing your brakes and getting a bright, spread out "glow" from the regular bulbs, you get a quick "pop" with LED lights and a bunch of dots pointed at you. As far as delamination and heat, the only way to damage the tail light housings is to install a higher wattage bulb than intended. Then you'll either melt or burn the housing but you still may not even affect the physical lenses.
BHall71 SEP 12, 06:08 PM
And ogre's reply why LED's don't work and shouldn't be used in 1....2....3....
cvxjet SEP 12, 07:06 PM
I converted my 85 SE V6 to 86-88 GT rear quarters/deck- and of course tail lights....I installed a couple of LED bulbs in the inner sockets (I am using the original Notchie wiring/sockets)....With regular bulbs in the outer sockets, it gave me (Sort of) sequential tail lights....Everything has worked properly for 12 years.

Note; The LED lights switch on and off quicker than the incandescent bulbs which is what created the sequential effect.
Dennis LaGrua SEP 12, 07:53 PM
I used direct fit 1157 LED lights that just go in the original sockets. They are bright and require no rewiring.



These lights shine with a nice white light with 4 separate rows of LED's . Replaced the flasher with a solid state unit but I don't believe that is necessary with these. .

------------------
" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

[This message has been edited by Dennis LaGrua (edited 09-14-2023).]

theogre SEP 12, 08:21 PM
IMSA GT is close enough for a very basic summery. LED have big Hype issues & more problems & external use as "upgrade" is Illegal except Some LED HL that meet DOT rules."

"Delaminating" often is GT problem w/ plastic logo layer coming off the plastic shell/cover. Isn't cause by Bulb heat but UV & heat for sun parked outside over time.

Some use 2357 for the rear because Little Brighter & Turns On Faster then OE 2057 or 1157. Won't cause heat problems unless Maybe you have Brake Lights On for a very long time.
Some used Halogen bulbs that way to Hot & can cause problems. Same problems as melting Fiero High Brake Light because some parts of plastic way too close to 26w bulb.

See https://web.archive.org/web...cast.net/~fierocave/ lighting section.
theogre SEP 12, 08:55 PM

quote
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:
I used direct fit 2057 LED lights that just go in the original sockets. They are bright and require no rewiring.

CLICK FOR FULL SIZE

They & others that don't need "tricks" to work is Very likely "CANBUS" types w/ Own Resistor in each unit drawing same or more amps than OE Lamps.

They have their own issues like cover by YT Big Clive Smokin' hot CANbus LED lamps. (230C in open air.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkPGqM0Sl64
buddycraigg SEP 13, 11:42 PM

quote
Originally posted by BHall71:

And ogre's reply why LED's don't work and shouldn't be used in 1....2....3....



You beat me to it.
sledcaddie SEP 14, 07:51 PM
I watched the Big Clive video on you tube. Very interesting. I didn't know that there were different types of LEDs (with/without resistors). He said that even the real hot ones would be okay to use in "blinkers", where the light is not on continuously. Think I'll just stick to OEM for now. I may do some testing with the LED equivalent of an 1157 bulb to see if those get hot when on continuously.
Dennis LaGrua SEP 14, 08:31 PM

quote
Originally posted by sledcaddie:

I watched the Big Clive video on you tube. Very interesting. I didn't know that there were different types of LEDs (with/without resistors). He said that even the real hot ones would be okay to use in "blinkers", where the light is not on continuously. Think I'll just stick to OEM for now. I may do some testing with the LED equivalent of an 1157 bulb to see if those get hot when on continuously.



I've tested the direct fit 1157 LED lights have run them a long time. They do get warm but not nearly as warm as the incandescent bulbs. The LED lights I used are also not very close to the taillight lenses but you can find longer LED taillight replacements that aren't. The LED taillights were chosen by myself because they are very easy to install are brighter, look more modern and IMO are safer. They are 5W LED's and opposed to 8 Watts of the 1157 bulbs they replace so there is a power savings.

------------------
" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "