Anyone interested in an LED conversion kit?
Thread Starter
Mr Z++ Wiki
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,195
From: Victoria, BC
Anyone interested in an LED conversion kit?
Looking into a conversion kit to convert all the tail, brake, marker, licence plate and signal lights to LED as well as all the indicators and illumination lights for the tri cluster and main gauge cluster (red unless someone really wants green I can probably get a kit for those as well). Also comes with a festoon bulb for the dome light. The only thing you will need is to convert your flasher to a solid state relay that works with LEDs or add a load resistor for just the signal lights.
Advantages:
Major drop in power consumption - instead of drawing 27 watts (each!) on the 1157 bulbs in your tail lights you'll be drawing about 1/10th. That takes a major load off your alternator and actually helps with fuel consumption when you're running your lights. Ever notice at the traffic lights with your signal lights and headlights on the volt meter bouncing back and forth a lot - that's because you are overloading the alternator with the RPMs being low and a heavy load on your electrical system.
Tend to last a lot longer than normal incandesents
They are colour specific meaning you're not filtering all the other light and just letting red out of the lens - all of it's red from the get go so nothing needs to be filtered making the lighting more efficient again. I've been running red LEDs in my test mule and I love 'em! - way better than the amber or green stock from the factory.
Kits will be about $75 shipped to replace the majority of the power hungry bulbs in the car. If anyone is interested let me know and I'll do a trial run.
Advantages:
Major drop in power consumption - instead of drawing 27 watts (each!) on the 1157 bulbs in your tail lights you'll be drawing about 1/10th. That takes a major load off your alternator and actually helps with fuel consumption when you're running your lights. Ever notice at the traffic lights with your signal lights and headlights on the volt meter bouncing back and forth a lot - that's because you are overloading the alternator with the RPMs being low and a heavy load on your electrical system.
Tend to last a lot longer than normal incandesents
They are colour specific meaning you're not filtering all the other light and just letting red out of the lens - all of it's red from the get go so nothing needs to be filtered making the lighting more efficient again. I've been running red LEDs in my test mule and I love 'em! - way better than the amber or green stock from the factory.
Kits will be about $75 shipped to replace the majority of the power hungry bulbs in the car. If anyone is interested let me know and I'll do a trial run.
Big Poppa
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,499
From: Mission, British Columbia
i did the swap on mine already a long time ago and its so nice. you need to buy an electronic flasher tho or the old school ones blink very fast. i got the colored bulbs that matched the brake and signal colors. the orange is sweet as its like a crayon when its on. the less power your alternator produces the more power the engine can put out as well, just like removing that clutch fan
Thread Starter
Mr Z++ Wiki
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,195
From: Victoria, BC
I'll be including electronic flashers to keep the power consumption down with a proper flash rate. I've ordered enough in for two kits. Once they are in I'll do an install and get some pics for you guys 
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 903
From: Alameda, CA
Registered User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 48
From: Maiden - North Carolina
I've been looking at the LED brake lights that you see on Semi Trailers, I keep meaning to measure one to see how big it is. I have an extra set of taillights i thought about "modifying "...i keep getting side track by chaising gremlins though...
Thread Starter
Mr Z++ Wiki
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,195
From: Victoria, BC
Tractor trailer tail lights would be nice - ala '80's Corvette or the more common R32 Skyline, etc. It does suit the 280ZX. There are pics of a few with this mod.
Thread Starter
Mr Z++ Wiki
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,195
From: Victoria, BC
I'm on holidays until the 28th - hopefully the parts will be in when I get back We'll see how it turns out - good ideas don't always turn into good real life lol.
Good to see there is some interest. I was making LEDs up by hand for a few guys and they turned out pretty well. Hopefully I can do a complete kit that works well. If it's not between good to awesome I won't bother
I'm still working on a cheaper version of my Mega Squirt wiring harness kit for the 280ZX but time to work on this and a thousand other projects is limited
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 179
From: Lacey, WA
I already swapped my side marker bulbs with LED's. I also just got in red LED dash bulbs the other day, yet to be installed. I've also done a set of LED trailer lights for stop/turn/tails with a spare pair of tails. Took some doing to get them properly aligned and such, but it looked pretty alright, would have been better with a recessed panel like the one for the S30. Definitely interested in having a board-style taillight setup, like some of the S30 guys have done. Not too sure on the simple bulb replacement ones. Definitely looking for more of a newer Cadillac style with the solid bank of lights. What style were you going to do, Mate?
The Good Twin
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,639
From: Wild Wild West, UTAH!
^^^ Yes! That is dope, but would probably be quite a task to make a full circuit board for each light.
If I had all the equipment, I would make a set of clear tail lights and use LED light tubes... kinda like the BMW E39's (One of the main reasons I bought this E39).
If I had all the equipment, I would make a set of clear tail lights and use LED light tubes... kinda like the BMW E39's (One of the main reasons I bought this E39).
Thread Starter
Mr Z++ Wiki
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,195
From: Victoria, BC
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 179
From: Lacey, WA
Big Poppa
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,499
From: Mission, British Columbia
the rear brake/tail bulbs i got were a smidge too big at first, you just have to turn them in and work them around to install. that was the only hurdle really. they look absolutly identicle to the stock lighting, only difference is the color is much more powerful. the bulbs i got had leds facing out and sideways all the way around so it really lit up the housing well.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 179
From: Lacey, WA
the rear brake/tail bulbs i got were a smidge too big at first, you just have to turn them in and work them around to install. that was the only hurdle really. they look absolutly identicle to the stock lighting, only difference is the color is much more powerful. the bulbs i got had leds facing out and sideways all the way around so it really lit up the housing well.
Like these ones here?
2 1157 1016 P21 5W T25 Red 45 LED Tail Stop Light Bulb | eBay
pr these ones here?
1157 BAY15D 18 SMD LED Turn Signal Tail Brake Stop Light Fog Lamp 7528 2357 Red | eBay
either way, I'm definitely looking for a LED board style for mine..looks like I might have to fab something up again..lol
Thread Starter
Mr Z++ Wiki
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,195
From: Victoria, BC
Those ones would probably work. You need about ten of those style for the tail lights and license plate and a an electronic flasher and another 20 or so other lights for the markers, dash, etc.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 179
From: Lacey, WA
Yeah, I know, I've priced it out recently. Never knew how many bulbs these cars had untill then..Still, the classic orange is growing on me (for the dash) since I swapped in my new dash that actually has the orange covers, rather than a bare bulb...plus, it matches the digital clock I put in..
Thread Starter
Mr Z++ Wiki
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,195
From: Victoria, BC
I tried the orange and on a whim I tried the red as well and I really like the red LEDs! I'm pretty sure I can do the kit in whatever colour people want. Personally not a big fan of the green ('cept for the signal lights lol) like the later/digital 280ZXs.
