H4 upgrade?

[Nine9six]

H4's for am 1987, 911...Will I need any mods to plug, relays, etc? What if I choose to run 80/100 watt blubs? Advantages/disadvantages?
Thanks in advance,
Paul

[Craig 930 RS]

Stick 'em in, ready to go.

As with all things Pelican, you will get a million different opinions - but I have the relay setup and used higher wattage bulbs....then went with lower wattage (55/60) bulbs and noticed little difference.

Get the P-n-P setup with 55/60 and be done with it - and enjoy the BIG difference!

[Nine9six]

Thank you Craig, for the expedient response. I have a private party that is selling his H4's off his 86 Carrera. Any fitment issues from the 86 to 87? There doesnt seem to be, but before I spend the money, I would like to be sure.
Regards,
Paul

[Craig 930 RS]

Nah, easy simple fit.

Just make certain you have the rings, 2 attach screws, and of course the housings & bulbs.

Are you CERTAIN they are H4s and not H5s??
His car (if U.S.) came with H5s -

[KCPSG]

I had to get the adapter from our host for the H5 to H4. I could have gotten all new connectors from any local parts store but then I was worried about clearance issues in the headlight bucket.

I have noticed that the wires (right next to the plug are discoloring) so the Sucro kit is next...I am only running the standard wattage bulbs in there right now. So I know that when I get brighter lights there will be problems.

[Craig 930 RS]

Oh whoa wait.......you have an '87. My mistake.
You WILL need adapters!

[KCPSG]

here are some pics of the new adapter and the old plug I cut off to fit new adapter.





and here is the final w/the new H4's....It took about 10-15 min per light to install light and adapter

[Nine9six]

Thanks for the photos Phil. I see what you mean on the discoloration of the wires. So will that be solved with a different relay? BTW, the black trim rings look sweet on your car. GP white?

[CarreraS2]

I would use relays if you go with 800/100 watters.

With stock bulbs, relays are still a good idea, although I think not strictly necessary. The weak point in the lighting system seems to be the high/low beam switch. The failure of that switch is VERY common. But with stock headlights and no relays, it seems like the switch still goes for many years.

I used the Sucro relay, it's 25 bucks, really easy to install, easily reversed, and essentially invisible. I recently had to replace the high/low beam switch, while that is not that big of a deal, it is a $120 part.

That being said, is there really a big difference on the H5s that came on the 1987 cars, and H4s? They look basically the same.

[Craig 930 RS]

H5s are amongst the worst headlights for a 911 - they have blobby, glare ridden light.

In 1999, I "upgraded" to a set of H5s......not knowing that most people get rid of them for H4s. They were nice & clear, as good as they could be - but still they stunk. The H4s are truly exceptional lights.

[speeder]

Originally posted by Craig911


Are you CERTAIN they are H4s and not H5s??
His car (if U.S.) came with H5s -

He said that the seller's car is an '86, which came in the U.S. w/ DOT lights, not H5s. H5s began w/ the 1987 model year.

[Wil Ferch]

As Craig mentioned...the H4 and H5 plug pin-outs are different...

Wil

[Nine9six]

Speeder,
Although it appears that I did not articulate my point as well as I should; the seller of the H4's, has an 86 Carrera. This is not to say that he has OEM lights in the car.

Due to an earlier post; and thanks to those who replied, I now can spot H4's upon a visual.

Yes Will, I can now see that from KCPSG's photos.
Happy Easter to all!

[speeder]

I probably wasn't clear enough either, I was trying to say that an '86 would not have H5s, I'm sure that you are getting H4s. Happy Easter to you as well!

[steven polaski]

How can I tell which headlights I have ? I think my bulbs are replaceable not sure. Also My lenses seem cloudy any advice ?

[KCPSG]

H5's will have the little alignment "tits" on front of lens and the H4's should say H4 in the center (IIRC) of the lens and not have the alignment "tits"....both lights (H4's and H5's have replaceable bulbs) but the H5 is a sealed beam unit.

If your headlights are cloudy my bet is that you have H5's. Take the lights off and remove the bulb and use dish soap and water and rinse out. let them dry completly before re-installing the bulbs and mounting to car. otherwise they will fog again

[KatoKato]

Originally posted by KCPSG
...and here is the final w/the new H4's....

I installed H4's on my 86' a few months back and had (still have) trouble getting the seals nice and tight along the mid-sections of the lights (top and bottom ok). Has anyone else had this problem?

Thanks,