sleeperbusa, it's actually hard to tell if it's brighter than stock. Did some research before purchasing it and most said the stocker was just a tad brighter. I think it is more eye-catching though and more easily noticed with all the bright led's. Was gonna take some before and after photos so i could see the difference in looks and also how bright it was, but of course i was so excited and got in a hurry (like i always do), and had to install it right away. As to your second question, yes u can install it without the integrated turn signals. It is a plug and play tail light socket, with two single wire's hanging off for the left and right signals, which u can just leave laying in the tail. Most i have seen with the integrated lights actually don't end up hooking the turn signals up