headlights

[kramer747]

I noticed the orig factory headlights are not that bright on my 83 911. What is the popular upgrade/replacement? Looking for winter projects on the car since it is colder than f*** outside

[sabeo.m]

Kramer, replace the bulbs. You can buy a nice set of PIAA H4 Xtreme White Plus.
the bulbs in the picture are not H4's but should give you an idea. While your at it, you can also pick up new rubber head light seals from pelican. Also do a search on HID... There is a really good thread on projection lighting.

[D911SC]

You might find the reflective coating on your lights has faded. Not sure exactly which lights they are but on my H4's I took apart and painted with a 'chrome' finish. There may be some comments about how the authorities view this but I can tell you that mine are alot brighter now. The dim yellow glow is now a bright white, similar to my everyday car, a 2010 VW.

If they are H4's you can get the reflectors replated but you can also buy replacements that would be more cost effective.

[DRACO A5OG]

1st what kind of lights do you have?

If H1's:

Relays and Sylvania Silver Star's are the 2nd highest Lumens output on the market

[HarryD]

What you do, depends on what you have currently installed.

DOT Sealed beams? Install H-4's (either the Hella drop ins Pelican Parts - Product Information: 70476-M44 or Bosch Euro Pelican Parts - Product Information: 0-301-800-103-M14)

If you have H-4's already, hotter bulbs.

Be sure you install a relay to prolonghte life of your flasher stalk. http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/smart/more_info.cgi?pn=JWST-911-HLPR&catalog_description=Headlight%20Relay%20Kit%2C%20% 39%31%31%20%28%31%39%37%34%2D%38%39%29%20

[kramer747]

not sure what i have right now. They say Halogen across the glass on the front. Have not looked at how they even come out. Are there screws under those 2 black plugs near the bezel I presume?

[wwest]

Go to ebay and buy an HID bi-xenon kit. But be sure and get the one that moves the arc not the one that has a separate halogen bulb "strapped on" for high beam. The bi-xenon bulb plugs in the housing in place of the DOT halogen bulb.

[HarryD]

Originally Posted by kramer747

not sure what i have right now. They say Halogen across the glass on the front. Have not looked at how they even come out. Are there screws under those 2 black plugs near the bezel I presume?

Chances are you have the good ole USA Sealed beams. You would see the word "H4" on the glass if they are H4s.

The easiest upgrade is to replace these with some H-4 lights. You will need to decide if you want the euro look using the Bosch units or just go to your local Autoparts store and get the Hella units. If you go the Hella Route, get the Euro version that will be lableled "For off road use only".

I have the euro Hella units wirth 55/60 watt bulbs and the improvement was stunning.

The black plugs you see on your trim rings are for access to the headlamp adjusting screws.

At the base of the trim ring, there should be a screw head. This is removed and the trim ring can then be removed. The headlamp is attached to the headlamp carrier by several screws which hold a metal ring that captures the lamp.

If you go the Bosch Route, the entire headlamp assembly that is bolted to the fender will need to come out and be replaced by the new units.

Post a picture of your headlamps (head on and include the surrounding area).

[RSTarga]

Your best alternative is a set of H4 headlights, you can then use 80/100w bulbs as long as you use a couple of headlight relays. Everything is available from our host. None of the HID setups really work.

[imoto]

I disagree with the statement that HID lights dont work. I installed a conversion kit 2 years ago and love them. I previously had 100w /80W H4 lamps. These were good but generated a LOT of heat and started to melt the plastic bulb holders. I changed to HID and found them to be exceptional, a bit of messing around to install them in a 911 compared to a conventional vehicle due to the headlights being uot on the front guards but worth the effort. No dazzling on coming traffic they use the standard front lenses and are great a massive improvement.:

[kramer747]

can't seem to find the headlight seals on Pelican -can you send me the link please?

[Joe Bob]

Post a pic of what you have. Don't go hog wild until we ID what you have.

Relays and/or bulb replacement may be all you need.

[HarryD]

Please post a picture so we can help you id the necessary corrective actions.

You probably do not need new seals as the ones that are there will most likely be ok.

If needed, you can find new ones here: Pelican Parts - Product Information: 911-631-115-02-M136

[Drisump]

The H4's, (in either flavour, Euro or flat) are a huge improvement over the sealed beams, even with the bulbs that are included in the box. When I first bought my car, it had normal sealed beams which were in no way, adequate. I installed the Bosch "Euro" H4's with the bulbs that were in the box I (believe 55W) and for me, they're perfectly fine and a huge improvement. Cheers

[wjfk32]

My 82SC

SEALED BEAM-Sylvania H6024XV XtraVision 65-Watt High Performance Halogen Headlight/Autozone.

Great light-and lasts.....

Walt

[dshepp806]

Best bulbs for H5's?

DS

[Joe Bob]

I'm not convinced that high end "Designer Bulbs" are worth the price....

[Wil Ferch]

First order of business is to chase grounds and make them absolutely spotless with some dielectric grease added afterwards. Then make sure headlights are clean inside and out (do a search on the various methods if you're running H4's or the like that may get dirty inside). The stock coinfiguration needs relays....not just for later high-watt bulbs...so do that too to save the light stalk switch from getting bad. Then we'll go from there....

[Drisump]

Originally Posted by Wil Ferch

Firsrt order of business is to chase grounds and make them absolutely spotless with some dielectric grease added afterwards. Then make sure headlights are clean inside and out (do a search on the various methods if you're running H4's or the like that may get dirty inside). The stock coinfiguration needs relays....not just for later high-watt bulbs...so do that too to save the light stalk switch from getting bad. Then we'll go from there....

Hey Wil, I have a Euro that I bought with normal sealed beams but I haven't checked if there were factory relays in the wiring. I'm thinking that the car rolled off the line with halogens(?!....maybe) Soooo, I've been running H4's for a couple of years with no issues, but you think that I will eventually have issues?

[HarryD]

Originally Posted by Drisump

Hey Wil, I have a Euro that I bought with normal sealed beams but I haven't checked if there were factory relays in the wiring. I'm thinking that the car rolled off the line with halogens(?!....maybe) Soooo, I've been running H4's for a couple of years with no issues, but you think that I will eventually have issues?

Porsche never included isolating relays for the headlamps. You should add them.