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Headlight Upgrade Options/advice
I have a '70 911T Targa and it has the stock sugarscoop headlights with the sealed beam lights. The light these put out at night for driving is poor. I see lots of different headlight models to upgrade to such as H1's, H4's, and H5's, and our host sells the H4's new. I read articles on upgrading to H4's, but are those the best way to go?
Is there a description anywhere on each of these headlight types, their advantages/disadvantages, comparison, which puts off better light, what size bulbs to install to get best lite on the road, etc?? Also, I have seen where some folks recommend relays (??) in the wiring to enable higher wattage bulbs - Is that a good thing and if so, is there any threads documenting how to go about that? Appreciate any/all input here as I'm trying to get better informed so I can make this upgrade secision one time and get it right! |
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03-23-2008, 04:43 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: PSL FL
Posts: 106
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Before you replace your lamps, be sure to make your own relay circuit. The factory circuit has all the power going thur the on/off switch. Just having the power come right off the battery will make big difference, Lots of good info here.
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/
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79SC, Wevo Shifter, SSI, Koni's, MK Muffler 85 944 Stock Past Porsche's 87 944 87 928S4, I was young and dumb 99 Boxster 70 911T |
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03-23-2008, 05:04 AM
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Dog-faced pony soldier
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+1 to that. I'd recommend the H4 E-codes that are sold here on Pelican. They're a direct replacement for the factory lights (you don't have to change any of the mountings or anything) and are much brighter.
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A car, a 911, a motorbike and a few surfboards Black Cars Matter |
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03-23-2008, 05:08 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Cambridge, MA
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Jeff, if you like the look of sugar scoops, go with 5.5 H4s, cheap and easy solution.
If you like the look of the euro-spec H4's, those are an excellent upgrade with proper wiring upgrade to go along, and you can put some real scorchers in there. I had 80/100 bulbs in my 84. H1's are pricey and not much better, if at all, than H4's and are typically sought after by the early S crowd. I'm selling a decent set now for $800.
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Tru6 Restoration & Design |
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03-23-2008, 05:21 AM
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Dog-faced pony soldier
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Already done - the assemblies are done and ready to go on the car now (I'll take some pics later if you want). The problem now is that I'm waiting for new headlight buckets to arrive from Restoration Design. Problem was my stupid P.O. neglected to install the rubber gasket between the headlight surround and the fender, water got in there and rusted the heck out of the buckets. They're done. He'd also used painted surrounds which are not period-correct for a '74 car, the sugar-scoop/chrome style surrounds are to my knowledge.
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A car, a 911, a motorbike and a few surfboards Black Cars Matter |
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03-23-2008, 05:24 AM
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Location: Cambridge, MA
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I thought that might happen.
 Jass is Jeff as well. Happy Easter all!
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03-23-2008, 05:32 AM
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Dog-faced pony soldier
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Ahh. Sorry then. Have a Happy Easter too.
Out of curiosity, when you say "5.5" H4s are you referring to diameter? I thought they were all 7".
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A car, a 911, a motorbike and a few surfboards Black Cars Matter |
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03-23-2008, 05:34 AM
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yes, I think you are right RE: 7's. saw an ad for Mercedes 5.5 H4 driving lights on ebay last night. think it stuck in my head.
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03-23-2008, 05:36 AM
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Great input all!
Are all H4's "Euro", or is there a difference and if so, what? |
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03-23-2008, 05:56 AM
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big round H4's with thin trim ring: euro-H4.
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Tru6 Restoration & Design |
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03-23-2008, 05:57 AM
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"farking Porsche hero"
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I went with H4's from our host and a relay kit from Marcus Sucro. Vast improvement!
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Rich '66 911 #303872 '07 Cayman '17 Macan '58 Land Rover S2 88" |
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03-23-2008, 07:45 AM
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Cibie, Bosch or Hella H4's in Sugar Scoops is least expensive, keep the look. Even new ones are dirt cheap on ebay.
5 minute plug in. Light pattern is as good as the euro H4's. Be sure to do relays (sucro kit) and upgrade the bulb. |
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03-23-2008, 08:03 AM
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Join Date: May 2001
Location: Peoples Republic of Long Beach, NY
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Bosch H-4 is either US DOT or E-code
Hella and Cibie H-4 also come in DOT and E-code DOT have the glass tits sticking out for mounting alignment gizmo. Lens optics are also different, DOT vs E-code. Sometimes if you want E-code you ask for off-road E-code. Technically and legally in the US they are different.
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Ronin LB '77 911s 2.7 PMO E 8.5 SSI Monty MSD JPI w x6 |
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03-23-2008, 09:58 PM
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Quote:
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My work here is nearly finished.
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03-23-2008, 10:14 PM
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Don't lean on the flasher stalk with high watt bulbs.
The stalk triggers both high and low at same time which may melt the inner bulb ground. It did when I run 130/100w Narva.
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Ronin LB '77 911s 2.7 PMO E 8.5 SSI Monty MSD JPI w x6 |
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03-23-2008, 10:21 PM
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1966 Porsche 911
