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T/A & Firebird Headlight Instructions
Tripping The Light Fantastic
This innovative, non-pop-up, LeMans-style headlight system from Breathless Performance Products adds a new flair to the 1997-2002 Firebird.
Change!
From the very inception of the automobile, owners have seen fit to alter their cars from the factory configuration. While some modifications are geared toward improving on a factory design (whether cosmetic or functional), others are purely for the sake of personalizing the car — just so it doesn’t look like every other example of that make, year or model. When something comes along to allow both looks and performance to be enhanced, it’s like adding extra whipped cream to your hot fudge sundae.
Originally designed for the C4 and C5 Corvettes, the LeMans-style headlight system from Breathless Performance Products (BPP) was a natural for adaptation to late- model Firebirds. The heart of the non-pop-up system, the bracketry, is constructed of 60-61 aircraft aluminum; with the ABS headlight tubs and PETG Acrylic molded lens covers all precision cut on CNC equipment. And, the lenses are UV coated to prevent hazing from the hot rays of the sun and exposure to road nastiness. Low beam headlamps are readily available 130-watt (total) sealed beams with a D.O.T.-approved bubble level alignment system. High performance CATS high beam wattage is a whopping 280 watts (total) with an HID version available. All major components come pre-assembled. Installation (and removal of the factory system) is accomplished with simple hand tools. In fact, the most difficult part of the entire changeover may be the simple splicing of a couple wires. No painting is required and, BPP stocks every part (sold separately as needed) for any eventuality, which may arise (your insurance company will love that).
Just call their 24-hour tech line (954/925-7725) to order. Figure on about two hours installation time — start to finish.
Additional advantages to the BPP LeMans-style headlight system come in weight savings and aerodynamics. The system weighs in at 11.5 pounds, complete, as opposed to 21.5 for the factory units. And talk about smoothing out airflow over the Firebird’s already sleek nose…
Tests by the California Highway Patrol and Michigan State Police have shown that top speed on a police car is reduced by 8-12 mph from the roof-mounted light bar. Each A-pillar-mounted spotlight limits top speed by another three mph — not to mention lost fuel economy from that same drag. Now imagine the ramifications of the "snowplow" stock pop-up headlights on a Firebird in the open position. Have we got your attention yet?
Follow along as we do a step-by-step installation on Spencer Allen’s Trans-Am.
#1.
Here’s what you get when you open the box. All major components are pre-assembled as a unit with detailed instructions included. Not shown are the clear acrylic outer cover lenses.
#2.
Imagine the aerodynamic drag at night with these "snowplow" headlights in the raised position. The entire factory unit (including the covers) weighs in at a combined 21.5 pounds as opposed to 11.5 pounds for the BPP LeMans System. Pic1.
#3.
Disassembly of the factory components begins with two bolts on each side of the radiator core support. The headlamps must be in the "down" or closed position to access these bolts.
#4.
Once the four core support retaining bolts have been removed, raise the headlamps to continue disassembly and, for safety purposes, disconnect the battery and lay the cable aside. Pic2-4.
#5.
Next, remove the two bolts holding the nose facia to the hood latch bracket. Some movement of the nose piece is needed to disassemble/reassemble the headlight components. Removing these two bolts will give you adequate movement of the nose piece.
#6.
Phillips screws retain the headlamp covers. Removal of the covers is necessary to provide access to additional retaining hardware.
#7.
The ends of the facia/nose piece are retained at both ends of the core support as well as at the hood latch. These four nuts (two on each side) must be removed so the facia can be pulled forward to allow removal of the factory headlamp assembly.
#8.
Once the nuts have been removed, pull the facia forward and lift the headlamp assembly out of its cavity. Don’t get carried away just yet as you still have to…
#9.
…reach down into the cavity and unplug the factory wiring harness. The BPP LeMans System is designed to be a "plug-in" to the factory harness during installation. Pic 5.
#10.
The Black Hole! This shot gives you a clearer view of the facia-to-core support mounting studs as well as the orientation of the factory wiring. Visible, but not detailed in this shot, is the locking pin for the connectors. Take careful note of how it unplugs before you manhandle it. Pic 6.
#11.
Per the included instructions, cut the factory wiring from the connector on the headlamp assembly. The connector will be reused on the BPP system but will eliminate the two wires to the headlamp opening/closing motor. Pic 7& 8.
#12.
Heat-shrink tubing and/or electrical tape will seal the two unused headlamp motor wires from the elements. Nothing you will be doing here will prevent you from easily putting the stock headlamps back in the car should you one day decide or need to do so.
#13.
Standard solderless blade connector terminals (supplied) will connect the original harness and plug to the BPP headlamp system. Pic 9.
#14.
With the solderless terminals installed, this is what the new harness for the BPP system will look like. Pic 10.
#15.
And this is what it will look like with the BPP system mated to the factory plug. The connections will be hidden from view once the BPP system assembly is installed. Pic 11.
#16.
Just as you did on disassembly, pull the facia forward on the mounting studs to install the new BPP unit. The assembly’s bracket indexes between the core support and the facia hardware. Lower the unit into place and reattach the two facia-to-core support mounting stud nuts. Now is the time to reconnect the wiring by simply plugging the two pieces back together. Don’t forget the locking pin for the connector. Pic12 & 13.
#17.
Reinstall the facia-to-hood latch bracket bolts to just snug. Affix the headlamp tub and, install the acrylic covers with just two of the (supplied) Phillips-head screws. This is merely a fitment step at this point. Pic 14 & 15.
#18.
Now, with the tub and cover installed, attach the unit-to-core support bolts but don’t fully tighten them yet. You need to allow some movement so you can close the hood and check for uniformity of gap and clearance. Adjust as necessary then, go back and tighten all mounting hardware. Pic 16 & 17.
#19.
Once you’re sure of a uniform fit, remove the tub and cover. With the car parked on a surface known to be flat and level, adjust the D.O.T.-approved low beam headlamps with a Phillips-head screwdriver. When the bubble in the level is at zero — the low beam headlamp is properly aimed. High beams can later be adjusted on a dark country road to suit your tastes and driving needs.
#20.
Reinstall the tub but not the cover. Now, using the existing hole in the tub as a pilot, drill a ¼-inch hole in the factory facia support bracket. Pic18.
#21.
Install the supplied Phillips-head bolt and nut and tighten. Pic 19.
#22.
Again using the hole in the tub as a pilot, drill a hole into the bumper facia. (Note: The exact size of the hole will be outlined in the supplied instructions. The need to change the tub-to-retainer clip was discovered during installation of this early production unit.) Pic 20.
#23.
Once the hole is drilled, push in the Christmas Tree plastic retainer. Pic 21.
#24.
Install the clear cover to the tub with the five supplied Phillips head screws, repeat he entire procedure for the opposite side, and Voila! A whole new appearance and a whole new attitude. Don’t forget to reconnect the battery. Tune in next issue as we show you how to reset your clock and radio stations. Pic 22-25.
Wiring for Headlights
Blue Bulb Clear Bulb
Blue wire to factory Green wire Black wire to factory Tan wire
Black wire to factory Black wire 2nd Black wire to factory Black wire
(Does not matter which Black wire)
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* Note: Once the headlights are securely in place, drill a 13/64 hole through the two holes in the front of the lens. This is for the two small support plugs to go in.
SOURCE
Breathless Performance Products
2070-F Tigertail Blvd. #2
Dania, FL 33004-2107
(954) 925-7725
(954) 925-4819 fax
www.breathlessperformance.com
Copyright ©2002 [Breathless Performance Products, Inc.]
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