Finally, LED that fits the Bosch H5 Headlight Assembly

[toddadale]

The truly hated Bosch H5
My 1989 3.2 has lived with them for 13 years of ownership.

Needed to share this as a triumph of keeping it stock and a simple mod...

I was tempted to convert to the better/greater H4 LED's. But I wish to keep my 911 without modifications. No LED has worked for me with the H5 without modifying the inclosed glass case. I was able to do it! With a simple wiring modification. I CAN SEE AT NIGHT!!!!
I used the only LED I could find that fits after some failed attempts. The 9007: GTR LIGHTING CSP MINI https://www.gtrlighting.com/gtr-lighting-csp-mini-led-bulbs-9007?quantity=1

You will have to change your current stock wiring plug. This is not a big deal - all you need is a small tool that releases the three wires to the head light. DO NOT CUT THEM no need to that. The lights fit and should go in at an even up/down angle.

I get 250% more light, 80% less drain on amps - better life. Now, there was an issue with converting the wiring to 9007 fulfillment. I made the changes (see photos) But the left bucket wiring? had to be backwards to get the low/high beams correct - Blue and green reversed.
Other than that, there was ZERO issues on adjustment. LED's can be blinding if not adjusted correctly, these light hit the road and not oncoming cars.. Other then the wiring issue on the left side, I could not be more happy! $175.00 for a dramatic difference for my 55 year old eyes.

[kuba_kuba]

Sounds great! I'm probably missing something obvious, what were the changes you had to make?

[toddadale]

Originally Posted by kuba_kuba

Sounds great! I'm probably missing something obvious, what were the changes you had to make?

Had to change the three wires in each headlight. To be honest it wasn’t very difficult at all. The only pain was getting the wires out of the factory adapter for the headlight.

[76FJ55]

How is the pattern and projection? I tried drop in LEDs in the 8" H4s on my 928 a while ago. the initial impressions was WOW look at all that light. but then I tried to drive it and realized there was so much spill in front of the car my pupils constricted and I could barely see the apartment building at the end of the block. H4 is supposed to have a superior pattern to the H5, so wandering if your results are similar? A nice set of halogens and relays seem to be the bast option for factory reflectors from my experience. I think that changes when you look at dedicated LED units with their own reflectors and with projector setups.

[toddadale]

The pattern and projection is very good for a headlight designed 30 years ago. I used my garage door to look at the pattern. Was it perfect? No- there was some diffusion being that it is a reflective head light. But it is a world of difference.

[toddadale]

[Oneredspyder]

I am very interested in this but am a little confused about the wiring code. It looks to me like the brown wire is the ground in the diagram. And I think brown is the ground throughout the Porsche.
However you have brown labeled as the low beam and white as ground.
Please clarify, I am having some other electrical issues with my 86 and I thought brown was ground.
Thanks.

[rokemester]

Interesting! The product description on the website says these are drop in replacements for fog lights. You’re getting high/low beams out of this lamp?

[toddadale]

Yes, I get both low and high beams. this is the place I bought them from. https://www.headlightrevolution.com

[cabmandone]

Any chance you did a before and after shot at night? I don't drive my car much at night but I like the look of the whiter light from LED's

[toddadale]

Sorry I did not; I can only say that it was dramatic and was not expecting such a massive difference.

[cabmandone]

I've done LED in all of my cars except for the Porsche primarily because it doesn't go out at night that often. I might have to dig into this. And yeah, they make a HUGE difference. Just have to make sure they're aimed properly. If not you'll get the bright light treatment and not because it's another Porsche coming at you.

[darrin]

Originally Posted by toddadale

Sorry I did not; I can only say that it was dramatic and was not expecting such a massive difference.

toddadale - could you shoot us a pic of the LED distribution pattern on your garage door? Interested in seeing what the cutoff looks like with these LED bulbs

[toddadale]

Will do, when the sun goes down - also did the brake lights and the third bake light on the rear window. That lights up big time now! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MY4T4BU?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

[toddadale]

Originally Posted by darrin

toddadale - could you shoot us a pic of the LED distribution pattern on your garage door? Interested in seeing what the cutoff looks like with these LED bulbs

Here are the new LED's "Low and high bean" photo on my 911 3.2. As you can see, there is some distortion at 25 feet.
But, keep in mind, the reflective Bosch H5 was not designed for LED's; halogen incandescent light bulbs produce roughly 1,000 Lumen per light bulb, at about 55w of power consumption. The GTR Lighting CSP Mini bulbs produce 2,500 Lumen of light at only 16w of power consumption - You can see the dust in the air at night with these!

As I said before, this is a simple and easily removed modification. Happy? Very much so; they are now available to the H-5 highlight 911 folks that are just stuck without reverting to the "never should have been replaced" H-4's It was an easy job and look aesthetically correct. I also did my VDO bulbs on the gauges a few years ago with led's - again night and day.
Also my much needed brake lights! Classic 911's sit so low and the brake lights are a life saver; red hot and seen by others now.

Happy to help if needed - have fun and be safe!

[toddadale]

Photos - did not upload -

[toddadale]

I did find out that with brake light replacement to LED'd you will need to add one of these ballast in the rear taillight. LED bulbs use considerably less current than normal incandescent bulbs. The reduced current load on the brake light circuit is detected by the Cruise Control unit as a fault, and it will not allow engaging of cruise function. https://www.bergvillfx.com/products/led-smart-ballast

[88911coupe]

When I go to the site and search for 88 911 I see three different headlight options...how do you determine which one is most appropriate?

[toddadale]

Tried a few- they do not match the H-5 headlights - this one did, https://www.gtrlighting.com/gtr-lighting-csp-mini-led-bulbs-9007?quantity=1

[toddadale]

This upgrade is about "seeing well" and being "seen" even in the daytime. Classic 911's lighting is dated and was never done well. Though those 928's headlights!!!! my post was about seeing clearly and being seen. I am happy with the results and I hope you are too, if you wish to make the change. A few issues, but happy in the end....