H4's for a 73E??
 

I have heard about the upgrade to H4's before. But since I am new at this, I need to ask. Everyone talks about how much more light they put out, and Wayne has it in his 101 Projects book.

But on an early 911, like the 73, doesn't this give a different look to the front of the car? Does this make it LESS original? I am fighting the issue between originality and useability. I am putting sport seats in it. I certainly have gone for many of the mechanical upgrades. The car has a short shift kit on it, and I am looking at a gated shifter assembly. But these things are non-cosmetic. They are functional.

What is the view with the H4's. Does it provide for a different look? Is that bad and non-period correct?

larry

Some answers to a few of the questions asked:

-You cannot use the H5 trim ring with the Euro H4 housing. I know. I tried. I have seen people on eBay (and elsewhere) say that the H5 rings will work. They will not work because they are not designed to mount atop another outer ring like the H4 trim rings do. Also, the aiming screws for the H5 and H4 are located in different places around the perimeter of the light. So, if you were to put a H5 ring atop the H4 light, the holes in the rings would not line up and you couldn't adjust the aim of the light!

-If you want to replace only the chrome ring, I think you must replace the whole light assembly. At least that's what Wayne claims in the catalog. The only parts he seems to be able to get are the outer trim rings, rubber seals and lenses. Everything else cannot be bought separately? Kinda stinks.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/911M/por_911M_lenses_main.htm

-John L. is right on about the bulbs. H5 bulbs are secured to the assembly in a totally different manner than the H4 bulbs. In other words, a H4 bulb will not fit in the H5 housing. The prongs for the wiring are irrelevant here. It's a matter of how the bulbs bases are designed to fit into their respective housings. If you want H4 bulbs, you gotta get the H4 lights. When you get the H4 lights, then you can address the issue of changing the terminals from the old, tiny H5 terminals to the bigger H4 terminals. Not a big deal. And John also mentions a good point about the H5 housing being plastic. Higher wattage bulbs can melt the housing. Then you're screwed and might as well buy the H4 setup!

-Yes the Euro H4 changes the look of the older cars. I think the updated look is an improvement. And the Euro H4 is not necessarily improper looking for these earlier cars. I'm not familiar with how the early cars were equipped, but I know some of them came with H1 lights which look almost exactly like the Euro H4 lights that we're talking about here.

Thanks, John. That's very helpful.