OK here is a rundown of various parts and options you’ll need to change your color. These parts are tried and true BUT not written in stone of course. The Type 194 and 212 Festoons listed are what I ended up using, there are many more options out there. The NEO Wedge Type A and B are a direct replacement with a resistor built into the base of the LED. Oznium has begun selling them as well, http://www.oznium.com/corvette-c5-led (http://www.oznium.com/corvette-c5-led) for $2.49

If you’re doing Red you can replace the stock blue bulb covers with Red ones. Go to http://www.mcmaster.com/ (http://www.mcmaster.com/)

In the Find Products window (upper left) type in 16925K11 you want the G Type T1 Dia. 1/8”, Height 10/64”, OD 5/32” $3.79 for 10. Click the part number and then you can choose your color and quantity.

Switches (Doors, Fog/Trunk, DIC and Traction/Selective Ride Control)
13* ea. – NEO WEDGE Type B bulbs, 10mm (3/8”) diameter $2.99 ea.
http://autolumination.com/74.htm (http://autolumination.com/74.htm) or
http://www.oznium.com/corvette-c5-led
*Note: If you are optioned with Selective ride control add one NEO Wedge

Dimmer/HUD
4* ea. - NEO WEDGE Type A, 8mm (5/16") diameter $2.99 ea.
http://autolumination.com/74.htm (http://autolumination.com/74.htm)
*Note: If you do not have HUD subtract THREE. These are the closest fit but the mounting hole will still need filed out just a tad. Some HUD switch packs supposedly have a total of THREE bulbs.

Footwells and Cargo Area
4 ea. – 194 Matrix Super Star bulbs,. 10mm diameter x 26mm overall $7.99 ea.
http://autolumination.com/194.htm (http://autolumination.com/194.htm)

Map Lights
Non Electrochromatic
2 ea. – 212-2 Festoon 2 LED bulbs, 10mm wide x 44mm overall length. $9.99 ea.
http://autolumination.com/festoon.htm (http://autolumination.com/festoon.htm)
Electrochromatic
12 ea. 5mm LEDs
http://www.oznium.com/led (http://www.oznium.com/led)

Automatic Gear Indicator (PRNDL)
1 ea. – 194 Matrix Super Star bulbs,. 10mm diameter x 26mm overall $7.99 ea.
http://autolumination.com/194.htm (http://autolumination.com/194.htm)

HVAC (Dual Climate) Controller (Leaving stock Orange LEDs in)
14 ea. - 5mm LED's with XXX* Ohm resistors,
http://www.oznium.com/led (http://www.oznium.com/led)
OR
14 ea – NEO WEDGE Type B bulbs, (removed from bases) 10mm (3/8”) diameter $2.99 ea.
http://autolumination.com/74.htm (http://autolumination.com/74.htm)

Radio/CD Player (Leaving stock Red LED in)
10 ea. - 5mm LED's with XXX* Ohm resistors,
http://www.oznium.com/led (http://www.oznium.com/led)
OR
10 ea - NEO WEDGE Type B bulbs, (removed from bases) 10mm (3/8”) diameter $2.99 ea.
http://autolumination.com/74.htm (http://autolumination.com/74.htm)

Under HoodLlight
1997
1 ea. – Super Star Festoon Dome Bulb: White. 10mm wide x 44mm overall $9.99 ea.
http://autolumination.com/festoon.htm (http://autolumination.com/festoon.htm)

1998 - 2004
1 ea. - Type 561 rigid loop bulb.


**Note – 470 Ohm = Blue, White, Green, Aqua & Pink
560 Ohm – Red, Orange & Yellow

Here are few tips and cautions that we’ve learned through trial and error.

Carlton (Spdkilz) has a fantastic website for instructions on what you’ll be doing;
http://www.spdkilz.com/techtip.html (http://www.spdkilz.com/techtip.html)

Vette Essentials is also a tremendous resource for dismantling your car. As a matter of fact I’ll be buying some of their stuff just because of all the work they’ve put into their on line instructions!
http://www.vetteessentials.com/instr...structions.htm (http://www.vetteessentials.com/instructions/instructions.htm)

The door switch packs pop right out. Carefully pry the Driver’s from the BOTTOM and the Passenger from the TOP with a flat tip screwdriver.

Take the HVAC unit out BEFORE the Radio, I scratched and dented the heck out of my HVAC unit with the Radio taking the connectors off the back of it.

The NEO Wedge bulbs must be oriented correctly to work, if the bulb does not work, remove it and turn it around 180 degrees and re-install it. It won’t hurt the LED if it is in backwards.

Always buy some spare LEDs!

One of the problems with using the LEDs to replace the incandescent stock bulbs is the light pattern, The incandescents have a 360 degree light output while LEDs have a very finite beam of light. When using a standard LED to light the various components, sand/shave the top flat to disperse the light output better. Below shows a 10mm before and after, also a 3mm;
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r117/tstar99/LED%20Mod/LED%20Mod%20Testing/3to10mm.jpg

Here are some comparison pics showing the light pattern of a shaved and unshaved LED;

Unshaved;

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r117/tstar99/LED%20Mod/LED%20Mod%20Testing/UncutPattern.jpg

Shaved;

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r117/tstar99/LED%20Mod/LED%20Mod%20Testing/ShavedPattern.jpg

A few locations just will not look correct after the swap, the Traction Control/ Active Handling (TC/AH) button, HUD Page button and the Auto PRNDL indicator. These areas are pretty dim to begin with and get worse with an LED especially the TC/AH button!

Tim

Radio Board, Front view;

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r117/tstar99/LED%20Mod/RadioBoardFront.jpg
Radio Board, Rear View;

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r117/tstar99/LED%20Mod/BackofRadioBoard.jpg
HVAC Board, all mounting hole are verticle with the POSITIVE lead towards the TOP of the board where the Display is;

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r117/tstar99/LED%20Mod/5803d2ed.jpg

Bench Testing Pinouts;

Hot Ground Notes
Driver’s Door 22 21
Fog/Trunk 7 8
HUD 6 7
DIC 10 9
TC/AH 1(10) 2 (9)
Passenger Door* 2 1 Did not test
HVAC C5, C12, C16 C1 Or hook up to the back of any bulb
Radio Hook up to the back of any bulb

Tim

After first installing the LEDs you'll need to adjust the aiming on them to get the lighting as even as you can. One way to help disperse the LED's tight beam is to reflect it back "up" unto the white plastic reflector plate with aluminum foil disks placed directly under the LEDs;

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r117/tstar99/LED%20Mod/RadioFoilMod.jpg

I also wrap the wave guides (upper right and lower left corners in pic above) with Foil to help disperse the light...

Tim

The HVAC usually turns out pretty good with a direct bulb swap. One thing I like to do is place a Blue LED under the Blue temperature sweep and a Red LED under the Red sweep. This adds color to the dial indicator on the Passenger Temperature control dial.

Dial Hot;

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r117/tstar99/LED%20Mod/LED%20Mod%20Testing/DSC01050.jpg

Dial Cold;

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r117/tstar99/LED%20Mod/LED%20Mod%20Testing/DSC01049.jpg

I also use 10mm LEDs for the Rocker switches on the Fan Speed buttons and Recirculate Buttons;

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r117/tstar99/LED%20Mod/LED%20Mod%20Testing/10mmInstalled.jpg

If you get some dark fringing around some of the buttons, you need to trim away the rubber collar around that LED;

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r117/tstar99/LED%20Mod/LED%20Mod%20Testing/AirRockercutout.jpg

Tim

There are a few ways to fix the very dim lighting in this button. This technique was created by Bell. You drill a hole and embed an LED directly into the back of the button;

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r117/tstar99/LED%20Mod/TCS%20Button/ledholetest.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r117/tstar99/LED%20Mod/TCS%20Button/ledinserted.jpg

You can do the same technique for the Fog/Trunk Release buttons.

Tim

You have to get the LED into the case and angled right at the back of the button. I soldered a disassenbled NEO Wedge directly unto the PCB angled at the button. I was a little frustrated and tore into the back of the case with dikes... it's easier to drill out the plastic rivets and take the back cover off! :lol:

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r117/tstar99/LED%20Mod/HUDsolder2.jpg

Tim

Outstanding cashe of information! Bookmark this one fellas! :thumbsup3:

Sweet! I like to mess around with electronics when I can find the time.

Thanx guys... any questions at all just PM! :thumbsup3:

Tim

wow thanks Tim,you took the fear out of jumping into this project

Wow, what great info. I see this is from 2008 and just found it today, though I believe I didn't join in 2008. I will be sure to bookmark this one, thank you for contributing with such an amazing post!! :thumbsup3:

This is an amazing write up, now if only I had the time!

This is an amazing write up, now if only I had the time!

I agree with you... This will be a winter job for sure. When snow is on the ground..:burnout::thumbsup: again nice write up...

I recently ordered some replacement LED bulbs to replace the stock bulbs for interior 194s and 168 s. I also ordered LED replacements for backup lights and license plate lights. Before I get into an unwanted mess by doing these replacements, do I have to install resistors or an LED flasher replacement? I do not plan on replacing all the stock bulbs, therefore it will be a mix of stock and LED. Please advise if anyone has already done this and what additional parts are needed. I have a 2001 C5 convertible. Again, I never did this before and don't want the trouble shooting head ache of bulbs not functioning or false bulb burnout codes! Please HELP!