To H4 or not to H4, that is the question

[reed930]

Even if you aren't a fan of the Euro H4 look, I think it's worth converting just for the advantage of MUCH better lighting. I always thought the U.S. rings gave the car a droopy-eye look, especially on the post-'73 cars.

IMO the H4's are much cleaner looking and are the way the car was designed. If not for the goofy DOT rules, we wouldn't even know the rings.

[Jens]

Go to;
http://lighting.mbz.org/
for the right bulbs. I'm using 100/130 German bulbs. They are the real high watt bulbs and *not* the Super Lazer Ultra Blue White colored crap that people use for the cool LOOK but are really sub par performers (and way expensive). These 130s light up the night, unbelievably bright. Burns the paint right off the Tuner Boy who's in your way!

You should install the relays as Noah mentions. I've used a number of the ones from Marcus Sucro
http://members.rennlist.com/msucro1/relaykit.htm
$20 and 20 minutes and you've protected your dimmer/directional switch from frying and also made all kinds of current availlable to the headlights so they work right and last. My bulbs have been burning bright for 1 1/2 years and 20K miles, and I run low beams in the daytime. Don't go with big bulbs without the relays.

The quartz halogen directional, brake, and running lights will also save one's ass from other bonehead drivers. They are BRIGHT. Recommended.

Jens

[na2ub]

Thanks Jens. That is excactly the info I needed. My PO installed Bosch H4s and the Euro amber lights. However, the headlights are really not very bright. I replaced one of the bulbs one with an H4 bulb from the local auto store, but don't remember exactly the output ... still dim. I will try set-up you referred to with the relays. Then I can go even faster at night ... which is always a plus.

The original headlight design was the ROW (Rest of World or "Euro" to some) narrow trim H4.

What is the narrow trim H4? I thought there were 2 basic looks. The first being the sealed beam look as on mine and the H4, H1, H5 look. Is there a different style that I'm not aware of?

[rpiper]

Mark, your car is beautiful. But it really needs the Euro H4s. They are the lights that the cars are supposed to have. SCs came with the right headlights everywhere in the world except the US. I bet the DOT guys who mandated the sealed beam 7" round lights still point and laugh at any 911 with those lights. It's their little practical joke. Go with H4s with relays and big bulbs. I use 80/100s and they are seriously bright.

[911SCfanatic]

Mark, resist the temptation. The Euro H4's are hideous, and as Superman previously noted is the precursor for the bastardized 996 headlamps. Stick with the stock look H4's with 100W bulbs and the relay.

[Schrup]

While we're on the subject would anyone care to break down the difference between H-1s, H-4s, & H-5s? On the window sticker for my car it shows it has a H4 halogen option.

[SpeedracerIndy]

I think the difference is: H1, H4 and H5 all have housings with thin trim rings that look the same from the outside. H1s use a separate internal housing for the high beam, H4s use an H4 bulb with high/low beam in one. H5s were used on 87+ US 911s. They are similar to H4s, but a little more complex inside the housing. They have three nipples on the outside of the glass. They also use an H5 bulb which has a different plug than the H4s. I'm sure some others will be able to elaborate more on years etc...

[rpiper]

"H-1s" are the large "Euro" headlamp units with two separate H1 bulbs and two separate reflectors: one for high beam, one for low. They also have a provision for parking lights in them, for a total of three separate bulbs. They are very bright but expensive and hard to find. "H-4s" as typically referred to here are the large "Euro" headlamp units, but they utilize the H4 bulb, which is a combined high/low bulb, and only one reflector. But the US lights (small, 7" round) may also be "H4s" because they utilize the same H4 bulb in a housing rather than being a sealed beam design (bulb, relector and lense as one unit). H5s are the later, Carrera style headlamps which look very similar to the proper Euro lamp, but utilize an H5 bulb, a combined high/low but not available in the higher wattages possible with the H4.

[Jens]

Originally posted by Mark Wilson
What is the narrow trim H4? I thought there were 2 basic looks. The first being the sealed beam look as on mine and the H4, H1, H5 look. Is there a different style that I'm not aware of?

Doctor, the narrow trim IS the original ROW (euro) Headlight.

And by the way the original style goes way back to the 901 prototype 911 first shown at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 1963. Like I said, that's the intended design for the 911. The US DOT style was a compromise. But it looks ok on some cars.

Jens

[Harlan Chinn]

Reed930(Chris) where did you find/get your front front export license plate? I haven't seen those since they came with my 66 Mercedes coupe

Thanks Jens.
I realize the euro H4's are better performers, but I think each our cars has an individual personality. What looks good on your car/model may not look good on another. My car has kind of a quircky, old school/semi backdate look with the duck, polished fuchs and hangy down SC fogs.
I really like the look of it as it is and really don't want to significantly change it.

How about some pics of SC's with H4's?

[thabaer]

I'm probably biased, but the DOT-ringed lights look to me like a puffy baggy-eyed hangover the morning after. Then there's the excellent illumination and pattern I get from the original RoW units.

I get the same nausea from the bling-bling eyebrows that are fashionable with the tuner-crowd these days, blecch...

[SpeedracerIndy]

Did somebody say picture??? This is probably not what your looking for, but here's my SC with the Euro H4's, chrome trim. Came with them from the factory.

[IMG] [/IMG]

[steve911]

For those of you that have installed the Bosch H4s, how difficult was it to get the trim rings to match the rest of the car? Mine is garnet red metallic and I'm thinking its going to be hard for a body shop to match - especially for such small pieces. I don't have the skills or equipment to paint them myself, so that's not an option

[MIK911]

rpiper/anyone:
Anyone put in a 'parking' or 'city' light inside the H1 housing? I have H1's, and would like to do this. Any tips?

thanks
Mike
'86 coupe

[c2 rower]

Mark, go with the Sylnania HID's.

[Jens]

Hey Mark: I don't hate the US DOT lights (well I guess I hate the chrome ones), I just like the ROW/euro lights better. You *can* get the high performance H4 lamps for the US lights, then upgrade to the big bulbs. Just remember to install the relays.

Nice looking car, Casey. It reminds me that I gotta get another silver 911. Beautiful!

Jens

[Amac]

Mark,
Take it from your old pal, the H4's will look great on
your car. Just try em, you can always change back
if don't like it.
Since you moved I'm the only one with a loud car.
How's the northwest?
"We miss ya"

[IceBlueSC]

Here's a side to side comparison. BTW, I still have the H4s on and love them!