Boucing roos off the bonnet

[Gerry van]

Hi, just wondering if anyone of you fellow Porsche lovers could tell me if my 89 3.2 has h4 or h5 headlights and what would be the best way to upgrade. My lights are about as good as a couple of dolphin torches..

[SpeedracerIndy]

Look at the lens. If they are H4s, there will be an H4 on the front of the lens. H4's are also glass lenses and H5's plastic. You should be able to see the "H4" in the center of the lens in the picture below:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/mult_h4_headlamps/mult_h4_headlamps_pic1_big.jpg

All '87+ US spec 911's came with H5's from the factory. Not sure about non-US spec cars though.

If you need better lighting do a search on higher wattage bulbs. With H4s (and sometimes H5s) You can improve the lighting of these cars relatively easily and safely by adding better bulbs and relays. You might simply need to clean the lenses.

[86 911 Targa]

+1 On the relays.

[911st]

There is also a ceramic connector up grade for the big boyz.

Don't run 100w through the stock switch.

[SpeedracerIndy]

Originally Posted by 911st

There is also a ceramic connector up grade for the big boyz.

Don't run 100w through the stock switch.

+1

I still need to do the ceramic H4 connector upgrade. I am running 80w/100w through relays, but everything else is stock H4. My lights are at least as bright as my Audi's stock HIDs, albeit a different color.

[wildcat077]

Just wondering,where did you guys get the ceramic connectors for the headlights?
All i could find at most auto parts outlets were the flimsy plastic connectors ...

I did the relay mod after i replaced my turn signal / headlight stalk and one of my headlight connectors had melted to the prongs of the halogen bulb.

Cheers !
Phil

[Trackrash]

Don't run 100w through the stock switch.

Or the fuse block. Mine melted before I put in relays.

[tcar]

Do NOT use higher wattage bulbs on an H5!

Even with a relay, as the bulb still gets just as hot.

The backs are plastic and they sometimes melt even with just the stock bulbs.

[Gerry van]

Thanks fellas, always guaranteed to get the correct info from fellow PO's l'll have to check but being an import 89 US car l'd say they must be a H5 so a upgrade should be easy enough thanks again, until next time

[cloud89]

As always, I'm confused.
Bentley manual on page 940-2 say's...
sealed beam 84-86, halogen for 87 or later.

On pg 940-4, it shows my headlight assembly and calls it headlight halogen H-4 bulb.
So, leads me to believe they are H4's.

I don't see an "H4" on my headlight, but it feels like glass.
I see Bosch, DOT, SAE...
Car is "CA equipment"

So, do I have H4 or H5???

guess it doesn't really matter... I never drive the damn thing @ night anyway

thanks.

[SpeedracerIndy]

Originally Posted by cloud89

As always, I'm confused.
Bentley manual on page 940-2 say's...
sealed beam 84-86, halogen for 87 or later.

On pg 940-4, it shows my headlight assembly and calls it headlight halogen H-4 bulb.
So, leads me to believe they are H4's.

I don't see an "H4" on my headlight, but it feels like glass.
I see Bosch, DOT, SAE...
Car is "CA equipment"

So, do I have H4 or H5???

guess it doesn't really matter... I never drive the damn thing @ night anyway

thanks.

First of all, what year is your car? It would help if you put a little information about your car in your signature.

If it is an '89, like your username suggests, it will have H5's if it is stock, which are indeed plastic even though they might feel like glass. 1987+ used the more sleek looking H5's, which resemble European H4's, but share nothing in common except appearance. Another way to distinguish US Spec headlights (H5's) is to look for the DOT mandated "nubs" on the lenses. I believe there are three nubs sticking out of the lenses on H5's, two on bottom, one on top. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. European H4 lenses do not have those nubs. It sounds like the Bentley is using the term H4 to refer to the type of bulb used, not the type of housing. For this thread we are referring to the housings as H4. It could be that the US spec H5 housing uses a type H4 bulb, which is a type 9004 bulb also??? My head is now spinning.

The sealed beam headlights you mention are the us spec lights used through 1986 with the sugar scoop surrounds. They were used in most US Spec automobiles through the 80's until the US DOT approved halogen bulbs. To complicate matters more, there are H4 "inserts" that can be purchased to fit into the sugar scoop style housings used through 1986. I hope that all makes sense!

If you do a search, there is quite a bit of information about the different light types, and many of the posts have pictures.

[m110]

They key advantage of H4s is the precise focus and beam pattern afforded by the bulb design, reflector and lens.
I am fanatical about lighting and consider it as important a safety feature as brakes and tires. Switching to H4s from crap H5 was the first and best thing I have done to my 88 (ok maybe Alton Fuchs were the best)

More wattage is secondary but good too (IMHO)

This place sells ceramic H4 bulb holders
Ceramic socket for H4, HB2, 9003 bulbs and sealed beam headlamps

I have used this over wattage bulb, very bright, doesn't last long
100/90w Narva High Wattage Motorcycle Bulb

Daniel Stern, lighting guru, told me to use these and they are the best I find
Osram 85/80w H4 bulb

Had some PIAA 100/80W bulbs hanging around and put them in and they are less bright than the above.

Pelican sells a good 80/100 H4 Osram

Relays can be had in a kit from J West through Pelican
Pelican Parts - Product Information: JWST-911-HLPR

[Por_sha911]

My H5's have glass lenses.

[wildcat077]

M110,

Thank you for the info on the ceramic sockets,i have H4's on my 89 and will be upgrading to the 80/100 bulbs after i replace my sockets.

Cheers !
Phil

[Fishcop]

Gerry

Did you arrange the registration of the car yourself? Part of getting approval for a US import is to change lights to RHD set ups (dip to the left). It is likely what you have isn't what came with the car and hopefully you have H4s

The rest of the info here is spot on - relays direct to lights, ceramic plug/sockets, and higher wattage bulbs... you can possibly go as high as 80/120 but the filament in the bulb is delicate and Queensland back roads are crappy as you know! You could also fit a pair (or more) of the Cibie rally lights which were correct for earlier cars and would still look good on a '89

[Gerry van]

No John it was imported by previous owners, you might know the car being a Brisso boy. Black Carrera IROC replica spent a bit of time about 2yrs ago at T&D only wearing a c2 bodykit at that stage.Don gave it a full engine rebuild and set the suspension up for that customer for racing, but the client couldn't pay the bill of 24k so the car was sold to the next owner who chipped it and put the IROC kit on.lt's only done 4000k's on the fresh donk and it goes and handles like a dream.
The worst thing is l don't have any fellow Porshe owners to drive with, my mate has a 348 in which we go driving together, and there is an older gentlemen who apparantely has a cabriolet and a coupe in his shed in town so l'm going around you never know l might pick up a cheap cabriolet for the misses..

[tcar]

If you REALLY want precise lighting, you need H1's.

Look v. similar to H4's.

Have separate bulbs for High beams and Low beams.

I have seen H5's with glass lenses.