Headlights for 83' 911 SC

[myslateblue911]

The headlights on my beloved 83 911 SC are.....a joke. At night when I turn the headlights on, it is akin to lighting a dim lamp in a dark room. Not very effective. What is the "standard" upgrade for this item on my year, make & model? Thanks

[RSBob]

Upgrade to H4 lenses. If you retain your sugar scoops, they are relatively cheap. If you like the Euro look, go for the full H4 headlamps. Then buy 80/100W halogen bulbs and by the J West relay kit so you don’t burn up your headlight stock.

[lsf911]

I have an 83 sc with H4's, 80/100w, and JWest relay kit. They still are not very bright compared to modern cars. I have a difficult time seeing at night unless I have the high beams on.

[RDM]

Originally Posted by lsf911

I have an 83 sc with H4's, 80/100w, and JWest relay kit. They still are not very bright compared to modern cars. I have a difficult time seeing at night unless I have the high beams on.

I have this exact setup as well, and my lighting is glorious- no worse than the xenons in my "new" car (2002). Have you checked the aim?

[lsf911]

Originally Posted by RDM

I have this exact setup as well, and my lighting is glorious- no worse than the xenons in my "new" car (2002). Have you checked the aim?

Yes, the aim is correct. It also passes inspection every year where the state checks it as well. Maybe it's just my eyesight. It just seems the light isn't projected very far.

[shamrok]

If you still have sugar scoops, any 6" Jeep light will drop right in. Lots of modern LED options with proper cutoff in that fitment. Won't look as period correct, but will be plenty functional.

Pic stolen from another member.

[darrin]

Originally Posted by lsf911

Yes, the aim is correct. It also passes inspection every year where the state checks it as well. Maybe it's just my eyesight. It just seems the light isn't projected very far.

interesting that it passes state inspection (if they're checking headlights), E2 european spec H4 lenses are not DOT certified and I'd think would therefore fail inspection -- as for your comment on light not projecting far, the E2 european lens (as with modern headlights) has a sharp upper limit cutoff that provides a nice focused beam of light. Your comment about light not projecting very far suggests that you might have a vertical aiming issue (causing the bright cutoff to hit too "low") -- I too run E2 spec h4 headlights with 80/100 watt bulbs and find my (properly aimed) 911 headlights to be as good as (or even superior to) my other cars' much more modern HID and LED setups . . .

Here's a link to a pretty comprehensive explanation on how to properly aim headlights https://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/aim/aim.html

[myslateblue911]

Thanks for the feedback from everyone regarding my headlight upgrade on my 83 SC 911. Does Pelican sell the H4's, 80/100w, and JWest relay kit? Or is there another place online that specializes in lighting solutions for the early 80's 911? Thanks again.

[MARISOL78sc]

All here buddy!
https://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/ksearch/pel_search_2016.cgi?command=DWsearch&description=h4+headlight

[Supreme]

H4s definitely are a an upgrade, but there's a resurgence of people who like the original sugar scoops. Just make sure you have clear vision on the road!

[spuggy]

Originally Posted by RSBob

Upgrade to H4 lenses. If you retain your sugar scoops, they are relatively cheap.

You can buy Chinese H4 reflectors & lenses for $10 to replace the sealed beams. Or you could buy good ones, made by Hella or Cibie.

They're a lot more than $10. But they'll be properly designed and work better, drop straight into the scoops and be a lot cheaper than Euro H4s.

Cibie Z beams were considered about as good as you could possibly get, at one time.

Also worth bearing in mind that halogen bulbs don't last forever; they get darker over time as they deposit tungsten into the glass as they work. Sealed beam units are essentially a big bulb with an inferior reflector/lens design do the same - also, older sealed units may not even be halogen (which are available now). Often, you get what you pay for - so 20 year old $10 cheapie sealed beams from your FLAPS aren't exactly the pinnacle of lighting performance.

Measure voltage drop at the bulb terminals. Half a volt more/less at the bulbs is very visible in terms of light output.

Originally Posted by RSBob

If you like the Euro look, go for the full H4 headlamps. Then buy 80/100W halogen bulbs and by the J West relay kit so you don’t burn up your headlight stock.

^^^

Relays anyway. Quite apart from the damage from stuffing all that current down the tiny little stalk switches, any voltage drop will cause the lights to be dimmer...

Once you have reflectors that accept an H4 bulb, you could consider upgrading the bulb wattage.

I think many underestimate the difference a decent reflector design, set of relays and uprated wiring harness to the bulbs will make to light output - even with stock bulbs. Even good, new, bulbs make a difference over aged ones. Good high output stock wattage bulbs (like, say, Philips Vision 130+) are even better.

If you do go higher-wattage, note that the stock plastic bulb connectors will melt if they get too hot. So ceramic bulb terminals is a good move - and you're half-way to a harness upgrade already.

Factory always used the minimum wire thickness they could get away with. Worth thinking about that before deciding to stuff almost double the designed main beam current down a 40 year-old harness...

Just my $0.02.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by spuggy

Relays anyway. Quite apart from the damage from stuffing all that current down the tiny little stalk switches, any voltage drop will cause the lights to be dimmer...

I hear you.

I replaced my battery with one of those 930 monstro sized batteries and the original lights were "amazing". (I use that term in a light manner )

They were just working as intended post new battery and monstro had nothing to do with it.

Voltage is so underrated.

[Ayles]

Another vote for the JWest kit. It's probably the easiest and least expensive step to gain a little brighter output from the headlights and protect other electrical components.

Install of the kit is very DIY friendly as well.

[boy83]

Originally Posted by shamrok

If you still have sugar scoops, any 6" Jeep light will drop right in. Lots of modern LED options with proper cutoff in that fitment. Won't look as period correct, but will be plenty functional.

Pic stolen from another member.

I bought headlights similar to those from Rothaus. I think his website is Carmagic. I've been happy with these headlights.

[Erbe_911]

Originally Posted by boy83

I bought headlights similar to those from Rothaus. I think his website is Carmagic. I've been happy with these headlights.

How is the install on these? We recently bought a set for my girlfriend's dad's JK and they're super bright and installed in like 20 minutes with 2 tools... I agree with the OP that the factory sugar scoops are a literal safety hazard so a set of Jeep ones might be a good stopgap/might make me not need to do a full Euro conversion.


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[boy83]

Originally Posted by Erbe_911

How is the install on these? We recently bought a set for my girlfriend's dad's JK and they're super bright and installed in like 20 minutes with 2 tools... I agree with the OP that the factory sugar scoops are a literal safety hazard so a set of Jeep ones might be a good stopgap/might make me not need to do a full Euro conversion.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The ones I got from Carmagic was plug and play. If you check the website, it has instructions. These headlights are a big improvement over those original ones.

[yayo_ayala]

Guys are these image H4 lenses that will fit a Porsche?

I have a 88 and I am curios if I can buy any H4 , like the above links, or if I have to buy a different base. Because they are listed for Porsche 69-86 (not 88)

[froggert]

You'll either have to modify the existing H5 mounting ring or get new H4 headlight buckets and trim rings. There's a thread somewhere in here about the former.

[hughc]

I've added the head light relays to my sc and I want to add the 80/100 light bulbs but I'm somewhat reluctant to remove the head light assembly because of a few horror stories I've read
I'd like to keep the job as simple as I can but I'm also wondering if it's necessary to change the connector to the bulbs because of the heat generated by the more powerful bulbs.
Also I'm not sure where to purchase the ceramic connectors that have been mentioned in previous postings.
Hopefully when the time comes I'll be fully prepared to do a thorough job.

[Synchro Joe]

Lots of options out there. John Audette is on this forum and has also provided many with upgraded/updated headlights. I bought a set myself. Audette Collection: The Definitive Resource on Vintage Porsche 911 Lighting | Concours Restoration of Porsche SWB 911 Headlamps, BOSCH H1's & H4's + LED Headlights