Headlight Question -

[orph]

I've searched a lot of prior posts and still not real clear on a couple headlight issues:

1. I've got an '86 930 Turbo and believe I have the original headlights. If so, would of these been H1's ?

2. As far as upgrades, can just higher wattage bulbs be used, if in fact they are available for H1's, and I assume if so, one should go to a relay program as far as the wiring.

Thanks for any input !

[Tim Walsh]

I'm pretty sure H1's only came on early cars. Post a pic of your front end and we might be able to tell. H4's and h1's have a glass top where DOT's have a metal top (sounds a little wierd but that's the best way to describe it)

You might have H5's as well. SOrry I dont' know anything about the h5's

[82SC]

just look how many screw are on the rim...

H1's have 5 (if you have these you are in luck...very sought after)
I think the h4's just have 1 or 2

H4's are the most economical "prefered" light, and you can upgrade to higher wattage bulbs...just be sure to install relays...you can find how to's if you search the archieves

[Early_S_Man]

Possible, but not likely. The answer is how many adjustment screws you have ... 4 = H1's, 2 = H4's or H5's. H1's and H4's have glass lenses ... H5's have plastic lenses.

If you have H1's or H4's ... several combinations of Wattage bulbs are available up to 130 Watts! Relays are mandatory, even if you don't use higher than stock Wattage bulbs ... loss of headlights at night in the middle of nowhere isn't much fun! Four relays and separate 20 Amp fuses or circuit breakers is the most reliable setup!

[Tim Walsh]

I've just completed the relay conversion and it's not too bad. all you have to do is use the original headlight wire as the signal wire to a relay and then run a wire from the bat. to a fuse , from the fuse to the relay and a wire from the relay to the old headlight wire (headlamp side).

How much brighter are the higher wattage bulbs? I currently have the 60 watt H4's

[jyl]

OK, I am confused. This is how I always understood it:

- Up to and including 1986, US-spec cars had the old-style headlight assemblies with a headlight that is round with a vertical lens and is set into the headlight trim ring. By "set into" I mean if you look at the car from the side, you don't see any part of the headlight protruding past the trim ring. The headlights were sealed beams.

- Starting in 1987, US-spec cars had the H5 halogen headlights which are shaped with an oval sloping lens, have a single bulb in a plastic carrier, and have molded-in aiming nubs on the lens. The lens extends beyond the trim ring, so if you look at the car from the side you see the lens. Mine say "Bosch".

- The 1986-and-earlier US spec lights can be updated with round H4 lights (Pelican part PEL-H4-70476) that replace just the sealed beam headlight, or with a shaped H4 headlight that replaces the entire headlight assembly (C-631-113-02).

- The 1987-and-later H5 lights can be updated with Pelican part C-631-113-02 as well.

- Euro-spec cars had either H4 or H1 headlights. They are shaped with a sloping lens, like the H5s, but the H1s have two reflectors (one for low beam, one for high beam) that are aimed separately, and the H4s have a single reflector. They do not have the aiming nubs.

Is this right? Others please correct me as needed, that's how I learn.

If this is right, and you indeed have the original US-spec 1986 headlights, then you should have the round sealed beam lights. You wouldn't upgrade those by putting in higher-wattage bulbs, but by putting in the round H4 light or replacing the whole headlight assembly with the shaped H4 headlight.

Anyway, for what it is worth I have H5s and replaced my stock 45/65w bulbs with 80/100w (also cleaned the reflector and the inside of the lens) and the difference is remarkable. Probably still not as good as H4s with equivalent bulbs, but plenty powerful enough for now. Before, my headlights were dim enough that I was peering anxiously while creeping around my neighborhood at night.

And I think relays are advisable with stock lights and necessary with higher-power bulbs. The stock circuit sends all of the headlight current through the high/low beam stalk on the steering column, which heats up and the little plastic bits melt, so you find yourself without headlights. It is easy to install, M. Sucro sells a kit for $25 that is all well-marked.

So I have a question - if I were someday to upgrade from my H5s to H4s, would I still need to replace the trim ring?

[jazzbass]

On the relay conversion - this is a future project of mine, and I figured I'd put one relay for each high and low beams, BEFORE the individual 8A fuses. This is how Porsche wired the relay for the driving lights. I don't really see a need for four relays - can anyone enlighten me?

[steve911]

JYL - I think you got it completely correct (as far as I understand the differences). The H5/H4 trim ring question came up a while ago and I don't think it was ever completely answered. I seem to recall some disagreement as to whether they were or were not interchangeable.

jazzbass - nice pun (can anyone enlighten me?) I too, went with the m.sucro relay kit (two relays total) and it has worked fine for me. As Warren pointed out, 4 relays are the most reliable; 2 is better than none.

another H4 thread

PS - If anyone needs any extra H5 bulbs, I have a pair of used ones I'm happy to share

[steve911]

Orph-
this is an example of the Hella H4. It is a direct plug and replace for the original sealed beams and uses the same trim rings and hardware.



Here's a Bosch H4 headlight:

[rlane]

IF you go with higher wattage bulbs you must as everyone has said add relays and beefier wiring from relay to headlight. I would also HIGHLY recommend you buy heavy duty lamp sockets. I bypassed this and the extra heat from the higher wattage bulbs disintegrated the stock (25 year old) plastic socket/connector.

[targa911S]

H1..2 bulbs...H4 1 bulb ...right?

[steve911]

as raised in another nearby thread, H4s can have two bulbs IF the european 'city' lights are hooked up, I believe. Otherwise, yes, H4s have a single bulb.

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by rlane
IF you go with higher wattage bulbs you must as everyone has said add relays and beefier wiring from relay to headlight. I would also HIGHLY recommend you buy heavy duty lamp sockets. I bypassed this and the extra heat from the higher wattage bulbs disintegrated the stock (25 year old) plastic socket/connector.

I'm with rlane on this one..

and 130/100w is doable in a 911.. there is a few guys around here with big Narva bulbs........Ron