Selfish headlight upgrade request

[mickey356]

OUCH!!! My head hurts!
I just spent the past hour reading up on headlight upgrade and I'm even more confused now than before, so I'm making a very selfish request and I'm asking for someone...anyone...to put it in simple terms: How can I upgrade the headlights on my 68 912 so they are better than a 1950's flashlight?
I am not concerned with them being "original or model correct", as long as they look remotely like they are from the same period. They can be sealed beam or bulbs style, doesn't matter.
I don't want to spend $1000.
I know I'll need relays for any upgrade.
I'm hoping for a pretty simple list of parts that I can buy and put together with my existing lights, which are basically stock.

I know it's kind of a DB move to ask, but I'm really lost on this one.
Thanks

[HarryD]

I am assuming you currently have DOT sealed beams. If so, the easiest way to upgrade is to get a set of Hella E Code 7" H4's (they may be labeled for off road only). They come with standard bulbs and you just replace the sealed beams with these. Since the wattage of the bee bulbs is the same as the sealed beams, you do not HAVE to install relays but it is prudent.

I did this on my cars and the stock wattage in the E code lights is a substantial improvement.

[dlagerstrom]

Agreed. I have the Hella H4 bulb (purchased from Pelican of course) in my 912 and I did add headlight relays.

Easy.

[PabloX]

I agree with HarryD's recommendation if cost is a serious object. Get these:

7" H4 Headlamp - PelicanParts.com

and these:

3800 Lumen H4 LED Headlight bulb

Given how little the above LEDs draw, a relay is less important, but I'd still do it.

Early 911 Headlight Relay Kit (65-73) - JWest Engineering

I think it's also worth spending a bit more and getting rid of the sugar scoops and getting the Bosch H4s.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/SuperCat/0810/POR_0810_ELLITE_pg5.htm#item15

[HarryD]

Start with the basic Hella H-4. See how you like it. If you need more, then move to higher wattages or LED's.

I have never felt the need to go beyond the stock wattage. The pattern of an E Code H-4 is significantly different than a DOT Lamp.

[DRACO A5OG]

Well to go Euro H4's with Relay and maybe LED kit you will spend $700-800 ( without trim ring )

Here is mine:

[Autoban]

Originally Posted by DRACO A5OG

Well to go Euro H4's with Relay and maybe LED kit you will spend $700-800 ( without trim ring )

Here is mine:

Draco, which LED kit are you using?

Juergen

[dicklague]

go for an H4 LED setup from eBay. $40-$70 per pair.

I have a set in my 1973 and they are great.

[DRACO A5OG]

Sirius Gen 7:

https://www.siriusledlights.com/collections/h4-9003-led/products/7g-led-headlight-h4

I tried the eBay, and they were worse than the stock bulbs. Remember 1 Watt = 100 Lumens as a rule.

[mickey356]

This seems to be a real personal preference subject, two posts in and we've already deviated to LED

Sealed beam H4s and relays it is.

Thank you, gents.

Thank you Pablo, for the links.

[kreeshp]

Originally Posted by PabloX

I agree with HarryD's recommendation if cost is a serious object. Get these:

7" H4 Headlamp - PelicanParts.com

and these:

3800 Lumen H4 LED Headlight bulb

Given how little the above LEDs draw, a relay is less important, but I'd still do it.

Early 911 Headlight Relay Kit (65-73) - JWest Engineering

I think it's also worth spending a bit more and getting rid of the sugar scoops and getting the Bosch H4s.

1986 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe - Lights and Lenses - Page 5

I went this route to replace my 964's H5's, after reading PabloX's and similar posts on this subject, except I opted to skip the relays, which I think are unnecessary with the low power demands of LEDs. So: OEM H4's + Cyclops LEDS. If/when the Cyclops fail, I will get the SiriusLED H4's which I was unaware of when I bought my setup.

VERY happy with the OEM appearance of the lights and the light output. It's a massive upgrade in lighting performance compared to the anemic H5's with crusty lenses.

[gtc]

Install some clear film on the new lenses so you don't wind up with pitted glass like you see in draco's photo.
Not installing a relay kit on a car with 48 year old wiring seems a bit silly to me.

[dicklague]

Originally Posted by mickey356

This seems to be a real personal preference subject, two posts in and we've already deviated to LED

Sealed beam H4s and relays it is.

Thank you, gents.

Thank you Pablo, for the links.

That is where I started 17 years ago with my 1973 911. I drive it all the time. I drive with the lights on during the day on our twisty mountain roads.

I drive a night often as well....

I tried many things over the years.

I want all the light I can get. The new LEDs are the way to go IMHO. Low amperage, plenty of light. Very long life. No downsides to me

[PabloX]

Originally Posted by dicklague

That is where I started 17 years ago with my 1973 911. I drive it all the time. I drive with the lights on during the day on our twisty mountain roads.

I drive a night often as well....

I tried many things over the years.

I want all the light I can get. The new LEDs are the way to go IMHO. Low amperage, plenty of light. Very long life. No downsides to me

Yes, that's exactly why I went with the LEDs.

[DanielDudley]

The Hella E code is a true H4 headlight, and a great bargain. They come with H4 bulbs that you can upgrade to LED at any time. Even stock they are a tremendous improvement over a conventional sealed beam bulb, or even an upgrade sealed beam.

They are the real deal.

[47silver]

i changed out the sealed beams about 4 years ago to the H4's. I installed 4 porsche round relays and had a relay feed each light and beam separately. a great upgrade.
with the separate relays you need not worry about any size bulb. Some people use a 100 watt high beam bulb draws 9 amps x 2 = 18 amp and that is a lot to run through the light switch contacts. a 60 watt low draws 5 amps x 2 = 10 amps and that is a lot to feed through the light switch.
Definately do it.

[DRACO A5OG]

^^^+ true but you will need to upgrade to ceramic connectors for higher wattage bulbs.

[mickey356]

OK, I have sealed beam H4s, relays and new seals & gaskets coming.
I took the buckets out today and what I have is, in order of front to back, trim ring, lens (fluted BOSCH), mount (the piece the adjusting screws connect to), retaining clips. reflector & bulb.
Is that all I need? Does the sealed beam just snug up to the mount? And since both the sealed beam AND the existing lens are fluted isn't that just gonna spray light all over the place? Do I now need a clear lens instead of the fluted one I currently have?

[darrin]

do your current headlights look like this http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads23/Sugar+scoop+single+screw+mount1405749421.jpg

or this http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/101_Projects_Porsche_911/71-H4_Headlamp_Upgrade/images_med/Pic3.JPG

Almost sounds like you're already running the latter (euro bosch h4s) -- on the former (sugar scoop assemblies), the sealed beam headlight assembly would remove as a single piece (lens, reflector and bulb -- which is permanently affixed to the reflector) and you'd replace that assembly with the sealed beam h4 you just picked up.

On the latter, euro bosch h4, the bulb would fit into the reflector, which would also separate from the lens.

[mickey356]

Thanks darrin.
My set up is indeed like the second link you posted. My reflectors are kind trashed...pitted in some spots...that's why I was hoping to replace the set up.
There are no relays installed either so I'm not quite sure how to proceed.