To H4 or not to H4, that is the question
 

OK, so I've had a set of Euro H4's for several months and haven't installed. I dug them out recently to clean up and prep to paint the rings. Now, after looking at pics of cars with the H4's on and comparing to mine, I've almost decided I like the look on my car with the standard sealed beam look.

Am I the only one that likes the non H4 look?

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1066971178.jpg

I know, why don't you give me the H4's and I'll put them on my car and we can have a side-by-side comparison. ;)

Personally, I really like the euro H4 look. I have plans to get a set in the near future for my baby.

Dan :)

I have H4s w/ the stock look. Pelican sells the kit.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads/surflvr1.JPG

I gotta vote H4's all the way.

chris

H4's
 

I prefer the stock look with H4's too. I have the Hella H4's and they do shine the way very well.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1066977306.jpg

http://www.pelicanparts.com/pmpre/im...thumbnail1.jpg

H4s, dude! :D

When I had my car repainted, I had the option at the time to do the European H4's. But instead opted to retain the North American character of the car and re-install Hella H-4's with higher intensity bulbs. Trying to attach a photograph but the server isn't loading...another off topic rant

Mark,
I had some euro H4's too and put one on, but couldn't go through with it.

My 86 Carrera had H1's, but I want my SC to look like an SC.

I have been heading in an older is better direction in the last 5 years though? SmileWavy

It's gotta be H4's

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1066988877.jpg

Cheers,

Tim.

Speaking as an european: when i saw one of those american-style headlights for the first time about 4 months ago, i actually thought they were some sort of weird "rice" tuning, a bit like those stickers to make gas tank lids look like aircraft setups. :D

For an european, they look *really* weird and sort of "kitch", but that's just us...

I'll join Bothari in his remark, but not to be interpreted as "choosing sides" (but of course, it's always "hurrah for our side")!

Over here, the U.S. "vertical" look of the headlight-glass, with the "wide" headlight rings, look outright weird!
That look also clearly identifies the car as an import from the U.S., of which there are a lot, especially for the old cars, and most of all the 912's.

Other such givaways (talking Carrera talk now): "big" rubber bumpers at the back, lacking 1 sq.in. amber blinkers on the front wings, blinking lights on the front bumper sides (ROW have a rubber insert there instead of a blinker), red rear blinker plastic (iso amber), mph speedo, and (possibly) a pca sticker and, badmouths have it, a mushy engine.

Between you and me and the gigantic doorpost of this site: H4 for me!

Do the H4s I think you will like. You can always go back. I put USA H5s from an 87 on my car (cheap imitation of the euro h4s)- way better.

H4s. It's the way it's meant to look.

Re: To H4 or not to H4, that is the question
 

Yes.

How did all those poor USA 911's end up with those [non H4's]anyway? You seem to have gotten the bum steer on bumpers and ride hight also.

Three of the things that make a 911 a 911.

Mark

Your car is super nice as it is! Definately one of my favorites.

I was having the same debate -- sealed beam H4 replacement housings, euro H4 housings. I decided I liked the sealed beam look better, and was going to order the hella housings when I discovered they (in a rather old condition) were actually what was in my car.

Then someone mentioned the Xenarc HID replacements, and $300 later they're sitting in my living room waiting to go in the car this weekend. My other car is HID, and its hard to go from a HID car to a non-HID car... you get spoiled actually being able to see things.

I'll be posting pics of the install process this weekend.

For me, it is more of a see better thing, the H4's are a better lamp !
The farther I can see, the more time I have to avoid road hazards or anything else that I might not want to hit.

I agree with you, Mark. I would not say I dislike the look of the euro-H4s, but I would say I very much prefer the "American" look. As you know, I painted the plastic trim thing black, which looks much nicer and makes the light look smaller. The small look is a big part of what I like. The euro H4s look bug-eyed to me.

So, I am using the Hella direct-replacement (look like sealed-beam, but they are not....they take a standard H4 bulb), and I know that Bosch makes one too. Some like the Bosch better.

Also, I am using relays on my headlight circuits, and everyone else should too. You've been warned...all of you. So, with the relays, I'm comfortable running 100w high beams, which is much nicer than 60 watts. Stay away from the DOT-legal direct-replacement H4 units. They are available, but the most popular is the non DOT-approved units, which have a much better lens.

Oh, and Mark, you're going to eventually discover "Rain-X." Better sooner than later.

The American version headlights were an unfortunate compromise to meet the stupid demands of the US Department of Transportation. Less light and aesthetically dubious. Now, you can put H4 lamps into the American shrouded housings, but then you're stuck with the same look. The original headlight design was the ROW (Rest of World or "Euro" to some) narrow trim H4. The pure uncompromised shape as intended by Porsche in the first place.

Jens

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?

Okay, so recognizing this, then the American units are not some kind of funky, unusual thing. Right? They're standard headlights, some of which are H4s, or at least take H4 bulbs. And then the "Euro" units become the oddball. One step closer to the widely-rejected kidney-shaped eyesores that come on the new 996.

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.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1067005515.jpg
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.

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

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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...

"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.

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. http://www.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/puke.gif

Jens http://www.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/bye.gif

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?

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...

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]

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

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

Mark, go with the Sylnania HID's.

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

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1067023733.jpg

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"

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

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1067025272.jpg http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1067025319.jpg