964 Headlights; What is the best available option for upgrade?

Doug751 · 09-08-2005, 06:57 PM

How can I improve my lights, 1992 964 C2, standard H5 USA lights.

What is the best upgrage?

What is the cost?

Where do I buy it?

Do I need to rewire or add relays?

Do I need to paint the trim rings?

Thanks!
-Douglas Greig

Pete000 · 09-09-2005, 12:12 PM

The euro H-4's seem to be the easiest. You will need a plug adaptor they sell at Pelican. If you go with low watt bulbs should be plug and play. If you want the flame throwers you will need to do a relay. Not all that hard. I am saving up to do this upgrade my self.

JoeP · 10-20-2005, 07:43 AM

USE RELAYS if you install brighter bulbs. I tried to go from 55w to 80w without one. It took a few months, but it toasted the stock connectors to the bulb, melted the turn signal and headlight switches, and damaged miscellaneous parts of the wiring harness. $700 in parts & labor to fix. Not good.

plain fan · 10-20-2005, 12:55 PM

JoeP,
How (where) did you install the relay in your wiring layout?

JoeP · 10-20-2005, 09:28 PM

I wussed out with my 911 and re-installed stock bulbs. However, I did upgrade a 5.0 Mustang that worked flawlessly with Bulb-zillas installed. I bought the wiring harness from "Competition Limited", and it was spectacular:

http://www.hioutputbulbs.com/compt.htm

If big bulbs didn't damage the plastic Mustang lenses, our glass Porsche lenses should perform even better. The kit even supplied high-temp plugs that went into the back of the bulbs because stock plugs can melt, even if you install relays. Given them a call if you have specific questions. They won't steer you wrong.

WilliamReinecke · 10-21-2005, 02:31 PM

A lot of people are going with the "silver stars" from Sylvania. Apparently you get much better light with a simple plug and play bulb.

http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProducts/AutomotiveLighting/HighPerformance/Silverstar/default.htm

JoeP · 10-22-2005, 08:42 AM

True, but no matter what color balance you prefer, you have not lived until you uncork a pair of well-installed 100/130w bulbs on a dark road. "Ready photon torpedos, Mr. Sulu."

ANTONIO · 10-23-2005, 08:18 AM

Go xenon.,it's easy,bit expensive, but worth it by the mile,cheers, Antonio.

JoeP · 10-24-2005, 05:54 AM

I forgot something: 100/130w or 80/100w bulbs were about $15 each, and the high-capacity harness and relay setup was $40.

StanAE86 · 10-25-2005, 08:48 PM

Hi Everyone...

I'm new to the Porsche scene. I just bought a 1993 RS America and find the headlights to be dreadfully poor.

On my M5, I did an H4 conversion with HIDs and the combination, while more costly than just the bulb upgrades, is worth its weight in gold. I want to do the same thing for the Porsche.

Where is a good source to get the Euro H4 upgrade housings? I looked around Pelican, but don't see a complete housing upgrade it seems. I seem to be able to find a lense upgrade, but from what I understand, the reflectors inside the headlight are also different and a proper upgrade will require the complete housing.

If anyone can point me in the right direction, I'd be very appreciative. Thanks!