How do I search for H4 Headlight upgrades?

[RickKlem]

Everytime I try to search for something with only two charcters the search feature errors. I want to search on the difference between H1,H4 ,and H5 lighting. I think that I want to install the H4. What does my car have now. It's a stock 1977s 911.

What's the trick to search for two charcter words ?

Rick

[Schrup]

Try adding an s at the end, example H4s.

[Zeke]

It's one of the flaws we live with. Also, try words that will be in association with H4, like 'headlights.'

[mtelliott]

This is a sight I thought interesting. It's about how to up the wattage in your H4's without frying your wiring. I sent the guy a check and received the relays. I haven't installed them yet but it's pretty easy to do. I then ordered higher wattage bulbs from Pelican.

http://members.rennlist.com/msucro1/relaykit.htm

Now, if I can just find the time to get my engine back together. A two year old and a two month old really slows down the progress.

[jmohn]

Briefly, H1's are NA (except as used and their very pricey), there's no advantage in H5's. So, Euro H4's are the only real choice. I believe your '77 had sealed beams (same as my '78), so you'll need the H4 upgrade "kit" (includes the buckets, lenses, etc. required for the Euro H4 install), available from our host.

Installing relays is a very good idea, installed as directed the "relay kit" extends the life of the headlight switch by reducing the amount of current going through it, but they do nothing to increase the amount of current the original headlight wires can carry. If you plan on increasing the wattage of the bulbs (beyond the standard 55/60) you should increase the size of the wires (gauge 12 is generally considered sufficient) from the relays to the headlights (including the grounds).

Good luck,

Jerry M
'78 SC

[HarryD]

There are two ways to go to H-4's depending on the look you want.

The Euro H-4 which requires a complete replacement of everything in the bucket.


or the Hella headlamp upgrade, where your replace your US Sealed beam with a H4 lamp but keep everything else the same.

[steve911]

Originally posted by HarryD

or the Hella headlamp upgrade, where your replace your US Sealed beam with a H4 lamp but keep everything else the same.

As long as you install the relay kit, you can run higher wattage bulbs with these as well. I installed 80/100s in my Hella H4s. MUCH better than stock sealed beams and markedly brighter than the standard 55/60 H4 bulbs. Bulbs are available from our host.

[isaacyoon]

how does this hella h4 upgrade work? i have a 76 porsche and i cant figure out how this installs. i bought a pair from pelicanparts and ive reviewed the install in the tech articles and the search articles but i must be missing something b/c there is noway this fits. Anybody have pictures? or have i been mislead that hella h4s can be used to upgrade my lights?

thanks

[KTL]

Here's a topic in which I participated:

Upgrading from H5 to H4 Euro Lights

You have to get past the H5 crap to see how some H4's are installed (bottom of page 1 and onto page 2)

[911S Targa]

Originally posted by isaacyoon
how does this hella h4 upgrade work? i have a 76 porsche and i cant figure out how this installs. i bought a pair from pelicanparts and ive reviewed the install in the tech articles and the search articles but i must be missing something b/c there is noway this fits. Anybody have pictures? or have i been mislead that hella h4s can be used to upgrade my lights?

thanks

The post above is a great tool. thats what helped me in installing H4s on my 76. 4 relays set, new wiring. Now if i can just figure out how to re hook up my front turn signals Ill be grand.

[Randy Webb]

Let's just muddy the waters a bit more here....

You ned not stick with H4's at all. You can get the HID units for 911s now - these will give you superior low beam illumination of the road - better than anything I've ever seen (if my Boxster S was any guide to how these will work on a nold 911). They don't adjust automatically tho.

Second, you can try to find a set of H1's - they have hi and low beams with different bulbs and adjust ind'ly of each other. So this can give you better light than any H4. Whether it will or not is a different question.
They are very expensive and hard to find. I don't think you can buy new ones anymore in the US.

[jazzbass]

To search for most two letter words, I use a wild card at the end - i.e. H4*. This gets you past the three char minimum search requirement. Not much other that H4 or H4s is going to match H4*. Good luck - there is a ton of H4 info on the BBS.

[Randy Webb]

also try h-4 ....

As a public service you could compile all the threads you find in a single post with links (just don't use the word ultimate....)

[isaacyoon]

i looked at the above thread. i can see how this works if you replace the whole assembly but i dont see how this works w/using the hella headlamp as seen in the picture in "steve911" post. it just doesnt fit. unless i just replace the bulb. i could also be dense too.

[HarryD]

Originally posted by isaacyoon
i looked at the above thread. i can see how this works if you replace the whole assembly but i dont see how this works w/using the hella headlamp as seen in the picture in "steve911" post. it just doesnt fit. unless i just replace the bulb. i could also be dense too.

Forgive my ignorance (I have not upgraded, yet) but... I am led to belive that the Hella upgrade requires you to remove only your US Sealed beam and drop the Hella unit in it's place. Everything else in the bucket is unchanged.

Perhaps someone who has ACTUALLY done this can help us out.

[steve911]

Originally posted by HarryD
Forgive my ignorance (I have not upgraded, yet) but... I am led to belive that the Hella upgrade requires you to remove only your US Sealed beam and drop the Hella unit in it's place. Everything else in the bucket is unchanged.

Perhaps someone who has ACTUALLY done this can help us out.

Harry--
I did this on my '85. Removed the trim ring and the rubber seal (pay attention to how the rubber seal sits around the housing), undid the retaining ring (watch out, the screws on THAT strip very easily), unplugged the existing sealed beam lamp and plugged in the new H-4. I replaced the rubber seal while I was at it. And installed Marcus Sucro's relay kit.

Very simple.

Isaac, not sure why the Hella's won't/don't fit yours - maybe post a picture of your car's lights. Do you have sealed beams or were they perhaps replaced with something else by a PO?

[911S Targa]

Originally posted by HarryD
Forgive my ignorance (I have not upgraded, yet) but... I am led to belive that the Hella upgrade requires you to remove only your US Sealed beam and drop the Hella unit in it's place. Everything else in the bucket is unchanged.

Perhaps someone who has ACTUALLY done this can help us out.

Sure, if you are using the lower wattage bulbs. I run the 80 watt low/100 watt highs on mine, so I had to upgrade to the 4 relay, with all new thicker wiring set up discribed above in KTL`s post.

[HarryD]

Originally posted by isaacyoon
i looked at the above thread. i can see how this works if you replace the whole assembly but i dont see how this works w/using the hella headlamp as seen in the picture in "steve911" post. it just doesnt fit. unless i just replace the bulb. i could also be dense too.

In re-reading this post, it may be possible that you already have a H-4 headlamp system. I think this because you say you can change just the bulb and leave the reflector alone.

While here at Pelican we seem to speak as if only Bosch and Hella make H-4 upgrades, the truth is that there are others as well.

As one other repsondent said, post a picture and maybe we can figure this oput.


BTW, ..... There are no dense (ignorant, dumb, etc) questions, only those that are not asked.

[isaacyoon]

ill get a picture on when i get home. i am willing to bet that someone has already changed my headlights b/c there is no way this hella headlights drop in place. too bad b/c i believe whoever put in these headlights put them in wrong also.

thanks

isaac

ps 1 step forward..2 steps back

[Yellowbird RS]

H-1 H-2 H-4 H-5 ???????
To H4 or not to H4, that is the question
H1 vs. H4 - WHICH ARE BETTER, WHICH ARE BRIGHTER???
H1 vs. H4
Uprated bulbs for H5 headlights
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/search.php?action=showresults&searchid=832237&sortby=&sortorder=