H-1 H-2 H-4 H-5 ???????

[jazzbass]

This is what a Hella H4 install looks like:

[ken_xman]

Chris.... now I am totally lost. I thought those rings are the original. Do you have US or Euro H4's?

[jazzbass]

Originally posted by ken_xman
Chris.... now I am totally lost. I thought those rings are the original. Do you have US or Euro H4's?

Those are Hella H-4s, usually referred to as "US" H4s. Here's the deal:

H-4 is technically the bulb, not the assembly. There are two style of headlight assemblies that us H-4 bulbs that we can put in our cars.

The first type is the Bosch H-4 assembly, commonly referred to as the "Euro" H-4. This is what creaturecat showed in his post earlier in the thread. This assembly replaces EVERYTHING in the headlight bucket.

The second type is the Hella H-4 assembly. This is a replacement for the sealed beam headlights US spec cars had prior to 1987. The Hella assembly replaces only the sealed lightbulb itself - the trim rings, headlight holder, etc, are kept. This is what I show on my car in the picture above. Hella H-4s with my original, old style US spec trim rings.

H-5s are the lights US cars got in 1987. They look similar to the Euro H-4 assemblies, but use a different bulb. If you are only after looks, H-5s look almost like Euro H-4s, so no need to change. If you want more light, you need to replace the entire H-5 assembly with a Bosch (Euro) H-4.

[steve911]

Originally posted by 88911coupe
John, Could you shed a little more light (no pun intended) on this Hella option? I thought if I "upgraded" to H4s I'd have to install a relay and this never looked too simple, at least not for me.
TIA

Buck--
The addition of relays to the headlight circuits is one of those that should be done irrespective of what headlamps you have. Without relays, the current is going through the stalk on the steering column and it will fail - just a matter of time.

Installing the msucro relay kit ($20 or so) is very, very easy - an advanced degree in electrical engineering is definitely NOT required. The kit comes with well-documented, easy to understand instructions.

Do a search on msucro or sucro and you'll find loads of threads, complete with pictures - there was one not too long ago.

[ken_xman]

Thank you Chris M for ...putting the light on the subject ....so to speak.
I guess what I am after is the H4 euro, for more light.
The issue currently is a small chip in each H5 lens. The cost of lens replacement alone lends itself to an upgrade accordingly.

[KCPSG]

ken_xman I am in the same boat, I have a small chip in the RF headlight lense and after reviewing costs it seems worthwhile to go w/the upgrade. However I am not keen on the idea of having a black or chrome lense ring on my all white car. (black wouldn't be so bad) but I would rather have the ring the same color as previous ring......I believe the prices were $129 for the H5 and $147 for the H4 what a conundrum.

[david914]

In case you didn't know (forgive me if you do), the black lense ring is "paintable", meaning, it's meant to be painted to match your car. What most do, is buy the chrome ringed H-4's and get the paintable trim rings that cover the chrome part. Works great.

[johnsjmc]

I have an 80 SC that someone added Bosch euro H4,s . They have chrome rings but with an extra countersunk hole dead center at the top. Does anyone recognize what these are Perhaps early 60,s ?

[frankc]

Here's a pic of my H1's. Notice the separate smaller reflector on the bottom.

[Wil Ferch]

There is still some confusion here. Jazzbass has a good summary.
Pre 87 cars have the heavy, "sugar scoop" trim ring and use ( for the US market) sealed beam lights. You can simply replace the light with Hella H4 and leave it at that. Let's not get into the habit of calling these US H4's as there are no US legal H4's of any kind. OR....you can replace the entire light assembly with aero looking Bosch H4's.

Caution: for 87+ guys with the H5's....if you go with Bosch H4's, you will also need to replace the PLUG on the car's wiring. Thr pin pattern is different with H4 and H5.

Wil

EDIT:
On another post I was reminded that there are (now) 2 styles of Hella replacement H4's that replace the US sealed beam units...as pictured in Jazzbass pic above:
- the Hella H4 I talked about that uses a replacble H4 bulb and has no aiming teets...this glass lens is classic 'euro' in performance, and
- a newer version from Hella that is indeed DOT certified. This means it has a H4 lens inside ( not replacable separate from reflector), has the aiming teets...but also has the awful DOT-approved cut or flutes on the lens that mimic US style lenses.

[fastpat]

An excellent thread deserving of a bump. I plan on the H4 conversion for my 1988, and this answered every question.

[beamonk]

How do the H-1's work compared to the H=4"s?

[efhughes3]

Some prefer the H1s over the H4s, they are certainly much more money. When I bought my car, I was looking into H4s assuming they'd be better, and a respected Porsche place here in Dallas suggested I stay with my H1s.

Having said that, I don't know how they compare side by side. I will say I'm pretty happy with mine.

[randywebb]

I've compared H1s and H4's sequentially by driving to a marked spot on a level road where there are several hwy signs at different distances. I couldn't find any differences. OTOH, I didn't play around with the H1's to tune in the max range I possibly could. Also, there might have been just a tad of fog - I couldn't really tell. I was surprised...

As usual, people have all sorts of opinions but never test them. So here is a test...

[zflea]

Can't I just replace the bulb of my 87 H5's with a brighter bulb? Like the blue bulbs? Or am I totally of base here?

[fuelie600]

Originally posted by ken_xman
The issue currently is a small chip in each H5 lens. The cost of lens replacement alone lends itself to an upgrade accordingly.

Or you could watch the classifieds for used H5s from someone who bought H4s....

[ken_xman]

Originally posted by fuelie600
Or you could watch the classifieds for used H5s from someone who bought H4s....

Its been a year since I started this post ... and still have the chipped lenses. Gives it character.

[fastpat]

Originally posted by zflea
Can't I just replace the bulb of my 87 H5's with a brighter bulb? Like the blue bulbs? Or am I totally of base here?

Sylvania Silver Stars will brighten up stock H5's and not burn up your wiring and bulb holders. If you want more light, then H4's are your best answer without going to the trouble and expense of a genuine Xenon system.

[silvercar00]

I have an '86....but it must be either a later '86 or had a dealer aftermarket conversion to the H5's because I don;t have sugar scoops....so I'm going from H5's to H4's which is not quite the "ten minutes and a screwdriver" install that some vendors promise. So my question remains " can use my H5 rings for H4's..
and :what do I need to convert the plug from H5's to H4's? Anyone done this lately?

[fastpat]

Originally posted by silvercar00
I have an '86....but it must be either a later '86 or had a dealer aftermarket conversion to the H5's because I don;t have sugar scoops....so I'm going from H5's to H4's which is not quite the "ten minutes and a screwdriver" install that some vendors promise. So my question remains " can use my H5 rings for H4's..
and :what do I need to convert the plug from H5's to H4's? Anyone done this lately?

No, the trim rings on the H5's won't fit theH4 Hella units. The H4 units look a lot like the H5's, but are enough different to preclude direct swapping. Most folks get the primered(black) H4 trim ring and have it painted to match the car.
See: http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/911M/POR_911M_ELlite_pg1.htm click on photo two.