Brake light mods

do you have a before pic?

 

looks great, good to have extra warning so people do not run into us right

 

Don't leave us all hanging. We need detailed instructions asap.

 

wow I had no idea only part of that illuminated, that looks way better with the switch you did

 

US laws don't allow brake lite on moving parts (trunk lid).

 

I wonder since you are not eliminating the factory lower brake lights if incorporating "extra brake lights" would be acceptable.

We don't have inspection or emissions in SC so I'm sure it wouldn't matter here.

I've got an '09 Silver Cali with the Carbon Fiber LED Steering Wheel and Front and Rear Carbon Fiber diffusers, Tubi Race Exhaust, Novitec Coilovers, and 21"/22" Black Forigato Staggered Rims with Nero Diamond stitched interior. Planning on the conversion soon!

 

i really don't think anyone would notice at an emissions inspection in NY. I sent mrbon007 a private message for instructions on how he did it. Waiting for a response.

 

I second this!

 

The conversion looks great - so much better. If it's relatively easy and reversible, I'd do it. And while that's correct that in the US, they don't allow brake lights on moving parts, Ferrari disabled the operation of the roof while the car is moving so it becomes less of an issue. Regarding the comment about adding "extra" brake lights, I understand from an old thread on this subject that the US specifies that only 3 brake lights are permitted (left, right, center), but no more than 3. One other question - in that old thread, someone questioned whether even changing up the amperage draw/design of the lights (by re-configuring) would potentially create some kind of software glitch or warning with the car computer. To the OP - any problems?

 

Cab2u, let us know what you find out

 

Peter P, the amperage draw is a good point to consider!

 

So the question is, do US cars have the bulbs in the center of the upper lights? Does anyone know? And, do US cars have fog lights?

 

US cars have the switch for the fog lights, and the owners manual talks about it, however, turning my lights on and pressing the switch did not illuminate the center of the lights. The car was not running but the ignition was on and the headlights were lit. So not sure about that.

I think traditionally the outer rim of the single round taillight serves as the brake light, as the center is usually a reverse light -- that would be a two setting light (dim for taillights and bright for brakes).

I doubt you would fail an inspection, but I would not doubt that in the US if you were in a collision where someone hit you from behind and the insurance company or lawyer figured out you had modified the brake lights, you would have a problem. I say this living in a neighborhood with a bunch of personal injury attorneys ; )
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Took another look tonight ... yes, the US car has the foglight in each taillight (apparently the engine must be running for the switch to operate).

As an owner, I don't have much experience being behind my own car. But I can say that the taillights are really bright. In fact, they look to be as bright as brake lights. And the center foglight is the same brightness. Visually, the outer rim of the light is a bigger surface area to illuminate, so having the brake light in the center doesn't seem to be as effective ... you're basically looking at a pair of really bright taillights even when the car is not braking, then when it is, you just have a solid taillight light. Not sure how noticeable that would be at night. The 3rd brake light is helpful, of course.

I think to do it safely you would either have to swap those two, so the small light becomes the taillight and the bigger circle around it becomes the brake light ... or put dimmer LEDs into the outer rim so the center is more obvious when it illuminates.

Be interesting to see what they do on the other single taillight cars, my bet is 2 stage LEDs, dim for taillight and then bright for braking. That would be the best solution. I wonder if an F12 light is the same size.
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I don't know much about this, but what about a brighter bulb for the center?

 

You're over thinking this. Go back up to the top images. It will work great. They were originally designed to be the brake lights, it was changed to work in the US.

The swap he is doing would work great.

The only concern is will the wiring brake from opening and closing the trunk?

I want to see how he switched the wiring, I'm very interested in making this change.

 

Being that they are both in the trunk, I have to believe the wires are near each other at some point in the wiring, so you don't have to run the wires to and from each light.

 

Wow! I'm dooooin this! as soon as I can get to it.

 

Just out of curiosity, could you just remove the fog light plug from the top light and connect a red & black wire tapping it into the third brake light? Basically using the third brake light wires to power the center bulb in the top taillights. For those who don't want the bottom brake light, just remove those bulbs? I know you will loose the fog light function but I can't see where it would be needed in the US. Also, would this trigger any warning lights? If not, this is the route I plan to take.