To H4 or not to H4, that is the question - Page 3

reed930 · 10-24-2003, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Superman
I guess I don't get it. The American headlights, I guess, are the simple, round, 7" units. The ones we have been looking at for, ummmmm......a hundred years or so. Right?

Function over form. I'm not sure how much improvement can be made on my ability to see at night. I've got unassuming (but bright....100w) H4s. Humble, lovable, shoeshine boy.

I really don't think it is form over function with the Euro H4s. Better light output, better light pattern, more aerodynamic. What exactly makes the DOT-mandated lights better?

Harlan: My car was a tourist delivery. The original owner kept the plate with the car, and I liked it so much I decided to put it back on. I always liked the oval plates. They do show up on ebay occasionally and go for pretty cheap.

Glasgow 911SC · Glasgow 911SC's Garage

I think that those US type rings take away too much from what makes a 911 look so good... the 'bug eyed' look. It's kind of like slant nose cars. They are more akin (than the 'Euro' ones) to the 996 lights as they don't look like the original design.

dotorg · 10-24-2003, 12:24 PM

I like my chrome rings. I wouldn't like the US look if they were painted.

Wil Ferch · 10-24-2003, 12:41 PM

I'm surprised no one has mentioned that the "sugar scoop" trim rings of the US version bring a hellacious amount of water into the body's housing.

Yes..if it were only light, you can get the Hella H4 replacement lights that fit US spec rings...or you'll go to the more expensive Bosch "aero" H4's that either come with chromed rings, or black rings...either can be covered with paintable trim rings.

--Wil Ferch

SprintStar · 12-05-2003, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 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.

Is the H1 preferred over the H4? I mean if you got both, which would you put on the car and why?

Thanks.

Sprint.

SprintStar · 12-05-2003, 08:09 AM

Quote:

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

Haha... I think the difference between them is like the US sealed beam looks like a late model VW Bug (they were upright), whereas the Euro H4s look like the earlier model ones (which were sloping).

Just a thought...

Sprint.