What type of headlights are these?

FL911SC · FL911SC's Garage

I have been reading up on HID conversions for my '79 911SC Targa. Up to now I have pretty much taken the current headlights for granted. Now that I have read about "Sugar Scoops" and various "H" types, I need know exactly what I have.

Based on what I have read and Googled, I think they are H3s. If I understand it all correctly these would not be original to the car, is that correct?

As always, thank you.

Keith

jpnovak · 01-28-2014, 11:20 AM

Those are H1s. They have 4 adjuster screws and two bulbs. They are incredible headlights when setup properly.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 01-28-2014, 11:22 AM

H1s. If all adjuster screw heads are good, especially the adjuster going to the flexible cable, they are worth a good $1200+ in excellent shape.

porwolf · 01-28-2014, 11:23 AM

Those are the much valued H1 headlights. Keep them!

FL911SC · FL911SC's Garage

Thanks for the replies.
How do I set them up correctly?

darrin · 11:35 AM

edited -- to add link to aiming instructions H1 Headlight aiming

FL911SC · FL911SC's Garage

Darrin,
Thank you for the link!
Can you put your original post back as well, it had some good information and I would hate to lose it.

I will look at the glass when I get home and try to find the H4 you mentioned or confirm 1 or 2 bulbs. I will also try and follow the wires and see if there are relays in places.

Lastly, what type of bulbs are you using? I remember you said 100w/80w and I am hope you might know the brand.

Thank you,
Keith

rusnak · 01-28-2014, 11:44 AM

Those H1s are no good. Sell them to me. Or trade me for my H4s.

porwolf · 01-28-2014, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FL911SC

Darrin,
Thank you for the link!
Can you put your original post back as well, it had some good information and I would hate to lose it.

I will look at the glass when I get home and try to find the H4 you mentioned or confirm 1 or 2 bulbs. I will also try and follow the wires and see if there are relays in places.

Lastly, what type of bulbs are you using? I remember you said 100w/80w and I am hope you might know the brand.

Thank you,
Keith

Be careful when going to 100/80 Watt bulbs. Standard are 60/55 Watt bulbs. I am using German made Osram "Night Breaker Plus" 60/55 W bulbs. They were rated best in a German test. 100/80 watt bulbs can fry the bulb sockets and/or wiring. Also, no 911 headlights should be without relays. Otherwise frying the steering wheel high/low beam switch is inevitable. And the relays make for brighter lights because the voltage drop between the battery and the light bulbs is minimal.

FL911SC · FL911SC's Garage

Thanks again to each of you.
"darrin" had thought these may have been H4s since both types look the same from the outside. With a call home, I have confirmed that there are indeed two bulbs in each assembly which means they are H1s as all of you had stated.

With that said and based on the responses above, I will not be converting them to HIDs and if I did, I would do it in a manner in which these were completely removed so I don't ruin them.

porwolf, thank you for the information. This weekend I will look for relays and if I don't find them, I will get them. Also, thank you for the bulb information.

I guess my lights need some work since I don't find them that bright. Some of it may be the bulbs and some may be the alignment. I will work on both.

rusnak - Sorry man, looks like I am going to keep these.

Jfporco · Jfporco's Garage

Hey Keith, I am happy to trade my H4 sugar scoops for those pesky H1's. We can do the switch at Reeves Cars and Coffee this Sat.

Hope ur doing well.
Cheers,
Jim (Safety Harbor)

atc_marty · 01-29-2014, 04:15 AM

+1 on adding a relay. Doesn't cost much, easy to do and no smoke in the cabin from a fried hi-lo beam switch!

porwolf · 01-29-2014, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FL911SC

........porwolf, thank you for the information. This weekend I will look for relays and if I don't find them, I will get them. Also, thank you for the bulb information........

Let us know if you need help with the relay installation. Our host sells a simple 2-relay setup with detailed installation instructions. I myself did my own relay setup with 4 relays and in line fuses. Automotive relays are readily available, even on Amazon, and relatively cheap.

FL911SC · FL911SC's Garage

^^^^^

prowolf - Thank you very much for that. After reading the responses I did check out the 'kit' here and it seems simple enough. I will let you know if I need the relays and if so, if I need help installing them.
I am still looking for a source for the Osram bulbs you mentioned. I did find their website but haven't had time to read through all the information and places to purchase them.

Since I didn't know what type of lights I had, I obviously don't know what bulbs I need so I will need to research that as well.
Since there are 4 bulbs, are they all the same model code, just aimed differently? Or is there one model for the low beams and a different one for the high beams?

Thanks again to all. I love this site!!!!

Arne2 · Arne2's Garage

All 4 bulbs are H1 type, typically 55 watt. The upper bulbs (main reflector) are the low beams, the lower bulbs are the high beams. The two reflectors are aim-able separately.

I love the H1 lights like these, but if my car had come with a nice set, I'd be torn. They are better lights than H4s in function (mostly due to being able to finely aim both beams), but are worth a fair penny to sell off. I could sell them, buy a new set of H4s, and pocket the difference to use for other fun stuff. Since I don't drive much at night these days, I think I'd end up selling the H1s.

porwolf · 01-29-2014, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arne2

All 4 bulbs are H1 type, typically 55 watt. The upper bulbs (main reflector) are the low beams, the lower bulbs are the high beams. The two reflectors are aim-able separately.

I love the H1 lights like these, but if my car had come with a nice set, I'd be torn. They are better lights than H4s in function (mostly due to being able to finely aim both beams), but are worth a fair penny to sell off. I could sell them, buy a new set of H4s, and pocket the difference to use for other fun stuff. Since I don't drive much at night these days, I think I'd end up selling the H1s.

The H1's are earlier versions of the halogen lights. The H4's are later versions, I understand. I recently converted from sugar scoops to H4's. I like the look so much better, also because Porsches were designed to have those lights in the first place. And I do like the much better light output with the Euro asymmetrical light pattern.

One question though: Which lights have better light outputs, H1's or H4's?

Arne2 · Arne2's Garage

Actual output (lumens, watts, candlepower, etc.) is similar, assuming like wattage bulbs. But since the aim of each beam on the H1s can be fine-tuned separately, many people prefer that adjustability. I know I would. But with nice pairs of H1s recently selling for $1000 or more, and new (AL branded) H4s easily available for $400/pair... well, I can think of lots of things I could do for my car with $600, and the headlights would look pretty much the same.

GaryR · GaryR's Garage

I have the H1's on my 78 road car, do the lenses come off for cleaning by some chance?

porwolf · 01-29-2014, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryR

I have the H1's on my 78 road car, do the lenses come off for cleaning by some chance?

They should if they are mounted like the H4 lenses. Those can come off. Though I understand it is a little tricky because all the wire clips around the inside of the rim have to come off to remove the reflector.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 01-29-2014, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryR

I have the H1's on my 78 road car, do the lenses come off for cleaning by some chance?

Just take a picture of the spring clips (hockey sticks), pull them out, light comes apart allowing you to detail everything. Good time to put in a new seal for the lens, lubricate everything and a little anti-seize on threads.