The two 'looks' are not early and late. There was the US-style (which was a workaround for the fact that the original assemblies wouldn't have been legal at the time in the US), and the Euro-style, which is how the lights were originally designed.

Within that, there are all sorts of different bulbs, but that's another discussion.

The Euro look is generally better-liked, because it is what Butzi came up with. But there are also a lot of people who really like the US version. I personally prefer the US version in body color, although I don't have that on my car.

Headlight upgrade....
 

If/when you change to the H4 headlights, either stay with the lower wattage bulbs or do the headlight relay modification. This will keep you from overloading and possibly damaging the headlight switches. Other than this one caution, the swap is really pretty easy.

Good Luck!

Fred Cook
'80 911SC coupe (with H4 eyes)

For the H4 sealed beam conversion Pelican Parts:
http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/911M/POR_911M_lenses_pg1.htm#item3 <p>
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1078976512.jpg
For the H4 euro conversion Pelican Parts,
http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/911M/POR_911M_lenses_pg1.htm#item1<p>
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1078976548.jpg <b>or</b>
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1078976591.jpg

For the relay kit
http://members.rennlist.com/msucro1/relaykit.htm

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1078976607.jpg

Pelican sells those, I just put a pair on my car. Not to dis your mechanic out of anywork, but if you need help, get in touch and come over and I'll help you put them in.
It's true it can take twenty minutes. Mine, OTOH took the better part of the afternoon because the screws were striped and needed retapping. And a trip to the store for a tap!

My routine isn't for everyone.
I use Cibie Euro convex lens because I do a lot of big hy driving and I can't deal with a smashed lens.. hopefully a routine 1-2oz stone spit from sombodys tire will slide off the curved face.
The Bosch H-4 Euro has more personality, but is to flat.
I will definately be getting the bulbs Warren listed.

so anyway,
this is a copy and paste from an old thread of mine.
My routine isn't for everyone.


"I suggest rewiring w/12ga. low and 10/ga. high from relays to bulb sockets, w/130/100 bulbs. I suggest at least 2 75amp Bosch relays, better is 4 75amp relays. Relays will be triggered by previous wire feed . I use 2 marine cir. breakers. Bulb sockets are heavy duty Bosch, not stock. The wireing is simple. I use marine grade wires and Radio Shack 4% silver solder. I suggest Euro lens and bulbs. I suggest not to use DOT lens[I know zero about H-5], bulbs, or PIAA bulbs. The inspiration for this up-grade that I did came from a Pelican philosopher who explains reality in a way we can all understand. "If they're slow in the left lane I want to burn their retnas"
Bulbs are Navra [German] #48951, I like the large painted trim ring so I use Cibie Euro H-4 convex lens #082440. No one ever flashed me because they are blinded by the low beam from the 911. The dispersion to either side is excellent, which I need for the twisties. Eyeball reach at 75mph using low beam allows safe braking. The side coverage is a function of the bulb filiment windings and lens. The high bulb wattage would be a problem on a SUV. The 911 is low, so doable without a problem. The install is time consuming for a perfect install. Lens covers/stone chip protectors are another story. The more I look at a simple project the more complicated it gets, but that's my problem........Ron"


__________________
Ronin LB
'77 911s
SSI Monty
MSD JPI

I just ordered all the parts to upgrade my headlights. I ordered a (RIK-2) relay kit from Daniel Stern and 80/100W bulbs from Pelican. My stock Euro H4's currently have 55/60W. Here's a PIC of the relay kit (only one of the relays shown in the pic, the kit comes with two).

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1079011028.jpg

Wow, thanks for the offer. I see your in Vegas also, so thats great. I will be ordering these , with the relay kit of course.

So I see I can either run H4 55/60 Watt , 55/100 Watt or 80/100 Watt bulbs.

Whats the benifits/ disadvatages of the above watt bulbs. I do drive at night quite often, whether its on our freeways, or down dark roads (esp when Im working out at Sam Boyd Stadium.), would it be logical to go with the 55/100 or 80/100 bulbs to light up the darkness?

I'm gonna upgrade to 80/100. The 55/100 will only be better on full beam which would blind on-comers.

Visual appearance aside (factory vs Euro-look), I used the French Cibie Euro H4 headlights before switching over to the Bosch Euro H4s. The Cibies were direct replacement for the factory-supplied US sealed beams and had the same removeable H4 halogen bulbs.

My subjective observation is that the Cibies were more effective; their light pattern was more distinct with a sharper cutoff so as not to blind oncoming traffic. But then again, this was not an A-B comparison, so statistically, it means not much.

FWIW,
Sherwood

600th post whooo hoooo.


Then 80/100 it is. The brighter on low beam, the better.

That's the beauty, and the basic point, behind doing the upgrade. It allows you to CHOOSE what bulbs you want to burn. Personally, I use Phillips Vision Plus from Powerbulbs.com . (No offence Wayne, but AFAIK these bulbs are not available in the USA). They work like higher wattage bulbs, but are the (legal) 55W/60W and consequently don't REQUIRE new relays. I participate in several MC forums and the longevity (specifically the lack of it) of the more expensive higher wattage bulbs is a regular topic of discussion. IMHO, it's total overkill for a street vehicle. Not to mention illegal.

dlearl,

<b>All 911s need relays installed!!! The original '63 design used 45 Watt/40 Watt bulbs, and was NEVER updated thru '89 production models!

Even 'stock' H4 60/55 Watt bulbs will cause the control stalk switches to eventually burn out ... as has been discussed many, many times on this board!!! The best solution is four relays, one per headlamp filament, but many consider that overkill, and opt for two relays ...</b>

The much-hyped 'high-output bulbs' that use 'normal' power ... are pure HYPE, as the light output is measured in special test jigs, and do not provide even illumination!

" so statistically, it means not much."

maybe.. but FWIW, your threads are always a great data point..
I use the Cibie.

Ron,
For some reason, whenever I think of your car, I think of the ocean (marine hardware connection, I suppose). FWIW, I changed my Cibies because the reflectors started to rust below the bulb level, and still the light output was good.

Take care,
Sherwood

But can you use your original trim rings from H5's on your H4 kit so you don't have paint the rings?

Ron,
Is an upgrade of bulb connector necessary for the 100/80 bulbs? I'm having trouble sourcing anything other than standard on these shores.

Some guys will say no. Some guys will post about fire and toasted sockets. my brother's '88 toasted

I say if your using real 80w low bulbs to get the Bosch high heat bulb sockets that have a screw wire fastner..
Warren posted that you can remove the bulb socket completely and do a direct wire.. sounds good to me.

Test for voltage drop after install.

No- there was a thread on this a couple of weeks ago & the consensus was they are different unfortunately.

Craaaaap. Now I gotta get the rings painted.