Scruffy needs better lights! Please chime in

[mjshira]

OK fellas, I am out here driving again everyday in Indiana. I have to run the hwy at night often and I noticed that everyone has these new headlights that are super bright. I'd like to upgrade, I know it is an expensive prospect. Can someone educate me on what are the brightest headlights for a 911?

Thanks!

James

[Glasgow 911SC]

Lots of good info here.

Somewhere in that thread someone mentions that, in theory, HID lights (the modern lights you have seen) wouldn't be any good on our cars because of the design of the reflector and lens. I have seen a 911 with one of the kits fitted though, and it's way better than any 'normal' setup I've seen.

[SpeedracerIndy]

I'm running 80/100W with the Sucro relay kit and am very pleased as well. The birghts are like flame throwers and it's especially fun to let oncomming car know when they have their brights on!

[speeder]

Noah, are those reverse lights just brighter bulbs that go in the regular location, or a remote (extra) light?

I'm always concerned w/ melting plastic lenses w/ much brighter bulbs.

[mjshira]

hey guys,

Noah, the move went really well. I am planning a post on breaking in a 2.5 since I have grown to appreciate this little engine very much. I go 25 MPG on the way out here, and most of the time I was going 100. Tyson did a really great job on this car and especially this engine. The man has a huge detail focus.

Noah, is it an easy job to do that upgrade?

[SpeedracerIndy]

If you get the Sucro kit, it is idiot proof with the directions provided. I got the 80/100w that Pelican sells, whatever brand those are and they have been working very well for 6 mos. now.

What part of IN did you move to?

[mjshira]

I am in Evansville. Thanks guys, I will check in with Ron from the office too (no phone here yet) and get the 411 from him to round out the picture. I am not sure what Tyson has done in the past with the headlights, but I am sure all the wires are new, like everything else on this car, ahh, but the paint that is. :-)

--James

[mjshira]

Just got off the phone with Ron. Lot's of great info, thanks pal. So now I am going to begin to aquire the various bits needed for this project. Shouldn't be too expensive either it seems. I am working up a parts list which I will run by Ronnie before I post here. Yes, pics will come too

--James

[steve911]

James--
Sure you know, but there are 2 different H4 choices, both available here. The HELLA H4s are direct drop ins, replacing the stock sealed bulbs with H4s. I'm using the 80/100W bulbs along with the Sucro relay kit. Retains the stock look, but provides much better illumination.

Other alternative is the BOSCH H4s, which replace the entire lamp unit, including trim rings etc. Gives car european look headlights and have better still illumination than the Hellas due to the lens characteristics. More expenisve than the Hellas.

[mjshira]

thanks Steve. I have the bosch H4's now. Planning on running Narva 130/100's.. let the flames begin :-)

[Tyson Schmidt]

Yeah, the headlights on Scruffy are the European H4's. So it really just needs some higher wattage bulbs and some relays.

I never went with more, because I live in L.A., and people get pissed if your headlights are too bright here.

I also had them aimed low, so aiming them properly for a rural climate will help a lot as well.

[mjshira]

thanks Tyson. They work great, its just all these damn SUV's out here with REALLY bright lights. Heck, in LA there are enough street lights to make it easy to see who is coming and going but out here its different. I noticed a lot of people rolling thru stop signs and lights, changing lanes on the hwy without looking, etc. I wanna be visisable so that's what is behind this. Also going to look at doing something for the taillights.

don't work too hard man!

James

[Grady Clay]

James,

I use the Bosch H1, 100W both high and low beams with relays so I can use all four bulbs simultaneously. You can only do this with the separate H1 bulbs and not the H4 bulbs. I also did this for some customers with additional 100W rally lights on the hood. Substantial wiring and a high output alternator is necessary if you want 6-800+ Watt main lighting.

This will light up the darkest night.

Remember, deer, pronghorn, moose, horses, elk, and cattle usually don’t have reflectors on them. One of my good friends was killed hitting a horse with all the trick 911 lights. I guess in Evansville/Louisville you are more likely to encounter a pedestrian but the same issues apply.

Best,
Grady

[david914]

Good to know Grady! I was wondering if anyone had done this with success. Seemed like a good idea given the two separate bulbs per unit. I've just got 55w bulbs for high and low and have driven while holding the flash-to-pass to enable all four lamps. Amazing amount of light! I can't imagine doing that with almost double the wattage. I'm going to re-do my relay box to make this possible. Thanks!

['76 911S 3.0]

Or you could look into the Sylvania Silverstars. Got those on my for headlights and fogs, work great. Have had them for about 6 months now without a problem. Much much brighter than any other headlight I have had before, and the color is a nice crips white light. Ran me $25 for each headlight. Can see clear as day during night driving.

[mjshira]

thanks Grady. That is the main reason I want better lights. Even on the main HWY here (64) I have noticed deer on the side of road and I need the brighter lights for the speeds that the hwy's call for these days.

[jpnovak]

James, While you are waiting for the new bulbs and relays I wuold re-aim the H4s. They work great most of the time when set up properly. Here is a link that helps you adjust them.

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/aim/aim.html

[mjshira]

thanks Jamie, I just got off the phone with Dan, great guy, he knows his lights! I think I will also get some of the nice grill mounted driving lamps he sells. Between them and the new bulbs I should be able to great enough light.

Yes Noah, you are on to my plan! Out here if you wanna drive fast you need light. On the other hand, in LA with Jack and Tyson, you need a parachute because they go around those damn corners so fast in the canyons if you try and follow you might go flying off a cliff! They are crazy. But, I was laughing the whole time if that tells you anything.

[Grady Clay]

David,

Yes I tried the “flash to pass” technique. I quit when I could smell electrical insulation failure, probably from the headlight/turn signal switch. The only way to successfully do high power headlights is with proper wiring and relays. You can make it where it appears original – “only your Porsche mechanic knows for sure.”
Remember to double+ you ground circuit also, it has to handle double the current. I spot weld a terminal on the ground (flange) side of the 100W bulb. The more voltage across the bulb, the brighter the light.


Jamie, I agree. Careful adjusting on a lonely and dark road really pays off. There is a subtle but important balance between the low-beam offending oncoming traffic and you being able to make best use of the headlights. I use the percent-who-flash-at-me technique.

James, you should also have “deer whistles.” Most local sporting goods stores have them. Get several of differing manufacture. I’ll bet the I-65 north and I-64 west are traitorous. You won’t believe the damage even a very small deer can do to a 911. Scruffy wouldn't like it.

Best,
Grady

[mjshira]

ok Grady, will do. Deer whistles might not be a bad idea for the LA area guys either, especially if you do a lot of canyon drives.