headlight upgrade,whats the deal?

[rfuerst911sc]

After looking at past threads,it appears there are H1,H4 and H5 upgrades for the 911 headlights,but it seems that these require you to change the trim ring on the car,is that true?I have the standard sealed beams on my 1983 SC and was wondering is there a headlight upgrade that will allow me to use the existing painted trim rings on my car?I have some 90/100 watt Narvo H4 bulbs that I would like to use if possible.Thanks

[North Coast Cab]

Go to here. Wayne has a mod kit that allows you to keep you stock trim and lens.

www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/911M/por_911M_lenses_main.htm

JG

[Jack Olsen]

If you have the US-style trim rings, then yes, there's an H4 upgrade (by Hella) available that just involves swapping out the light assemblies.

Pelican sells both.

[Edit: delete info about my set for sale, since they're sold.]

[steve911]

You can use the Hella H4 upgrades (I did), which keep the standard look. My understanding is that they're not as good as the Bosch (which require the new trim rings, etc.) but they're a whole lot brighter than the standard sealed beams.

Our host sells them here

Don't forget about adding a relay here

[n8marx]

Never mind that the Hella version is a whole lot cheaper than the Bosch version too. Not quite as cool looking but for now the money is going elsewhere.

[Emission]

I upgraded just the lights and bulbs to the H4 and kept the look stock. I also run 80/100W bulbs (I put relays inline to keep everything cool). Mine are actually Hella Motorcycle H4's (illegal for on-road use).

Major improvement for about $120 total!

[chuckr]

I also have the Euro H-4's in my 83SC and really love'um for the money,easy do-it-yourselfer upgrade !

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by chuckr
I also have the Euro H-4's in my 83SC and really love'um for the money,easy do-it-yourselfer upgrade !

there is a difference between Hella or Cibie euro lens and DOT lens.. the DOT has the tits on the lens.. there is a selection in euro Cibie lens optcs.. don't know about Hella euro options.. and real Narva 100/90w will probably damage the bulb socket.. a high performance Bosch socket is available or remove the socket entirely, as our electrical pope once mentioned.. I also think stock wires from the relay to bulbs may be to small for real Narva 100/90w bulbs.. the non-real PIAA bulbs shouldn't be a problem.. for trivia I run 130/100w Narva because our cars are low and don't disturb oncomming traffic.. except on a hill crest. then they flash you
more trivia- I had a bright idea to run both filiments in each bulb when on the high beam.. looked fantastic for about 1/2 -1hr till the bulb inner ground fried.. thus no light.. big bucks bulbs are around that can run both filiments safely, but never followed thru..
.and I kinda customize the lens adjustment w/low fuel tank.. when they stop flashing on low, it's low enough.......Ron

[jyl]

So Emission and Steve911 and anyone else, do you have any trouble with the Hella H4 lights and 80/100w bulbs (that Pelican sells) using the Sucro relay kit or a similar relay set-up? Is the wiring sufficient?

I just installed the relays and am trying to figure out what headlights I should choose. I need to keep expense low.

[steve911]

John--
I'm using the standard 55/60W bulbs - no problems here. When I originally bought the Hellas, I was under the (mistaken) impression that so long as I stayed with the standard wattage bulbs, didn't need a relay. I'll lurk around this thread to see what other more experienced hands say about the 80/100W H4s - might just upgrade myself.

[Emission]

Originally posted by jyl
"...do you have any trouble with the Hella H4 lights and 80/100w bulbs (that Pelican sells) using the Sucro relay kit or a similar relay set-up? Is the wiring sufficient?

I used heavier-than-stock wire and put a relay in the low beam, and a different relay on the high beam. Better safe than no light. The bulb box says:

Hella P43t
12v 100/80W
HGJ 002 525-201
Not for use in Europe
59552 Lippstadt/Germany

They are not US legal either. I have mine aimed low, so nobody flashes me ever (they have a good beam cut-off pattern). I've never had any problems with them (and I've had them on for hours at a time).

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by jyl
trying to figure out what headlights I should choose. I

I think a stock bulb and a DOT lens is good enough for city streets.. my situation demands big light for big black/no street lights high speed roads/ 70-80mph roads.. I need the optics of non DOT............Ron

[jyl]

Thanks everyone. I find the OEM lights pretty dim. Part of the problem is that, sitting so low in the Land of the Sport-Utility, I frequently get a faceful of oncoming SUV headlight after which I'm driving at night without night vision, so to speak. Will try the Hella H4s with 80/100w.

[pwd72s]

Originally posted by RoninLB
I think a stock bulb and a DOT lens is good enough for city streets.. my situation demands big light for big black/no street lights high speed roads/ 70-80mph roads.. I need the optics of non DOT............Ron

Ron? Are you telling us that hitting a horse or cow at 70-80 is undesirable? How about the thought of a Cougar crawling into your tent some night?

[Emission]

I sold my 2001 BMW 330i with Xenon lights so I could buy my 930. I went from incredible light, to near darkness (stock '86 lights).

In any case, if you are going to use the stock bulbs (55W I think) put in the relays in case you decide to upgrade the bulbs in the future.

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by pwd72s
Ron? Are you telling us that hitting a horse or cow at 70-80 is undesirable? How about the thought of a Cougar crawling into your tent some night?

LOL... a big pussy only wants to eat me.. but big beef wants to scratch my 911.. if I can't stop from 80mph at nite.. might as well stay home.. so big headlights are not for everyone.........Ron

[john70t]

A note of caution- Make sure you put the relay in first before upping the wattage of the bulb, or you'll get burnt out wires(don't ask) or worse yet a fire in the fusebox/dash.

RoninLB- the big animal in the road can happen anywhere. A long while back in the midwest whilst zipping along at 85+ on a lone 2-laner over a crest, my buddy's reaction time saved us from plowing into/off of a full sized buck stretched across our lane.

One question-the H4 rings really suck and are there alternatives? A thin lip at the top and an upwards angled singular screw to hold the whole assembly onto the fender doesn't seem quite right. Are there any thin trim H4 ring/fender assemblies that mount the tension around the headlight ring evenly?