"Black" LED Headlights replacing H4 show me yours

[CASair]

Originally Posted by famoroso

Those were Euro JW Speaker IIs, sourced from John Audette. Humorously enough, I didn't end up running them. I didn't even mount the drivers side lamp. I didn't like the look. I loved the idea of LEDs on these cars from a low current draw / high light output perspective, but once I was intellectually honest about my use case for the above pictured '88 Cab (less than 5% nighttime driving) they didn't make sense.



This^^! So much this. You and I are 100% on the same page.

On my '87 & '89 coupes, I opted to keep things simple, efficient, cost effective and lightweight by going with the tried and true Euro H4 + JWest relay solution.

If you're gonna do it, I agree that the drop-in 7" round LED units, like the JW Speakers, are the way to go for sugar scoop cars. I don't respect the idea of running a fluted lens over projector beam units. I just can't bring myself to do that.

As an aside, I hated that most (all?) of the early custom LED housing designs (i.e. not the 7" round drop ins) required removing and reinstalling the housings in order to aim the lamps.That's lazy engineering, at best, and seems like an enormous PITA.

Just recently saw these in action at the Porsche meet in Socal. The output is insane and the light 'color' is just like stock, with the yellow tone to it, not the blue LED lights. They look just like stock and I personally just do not like the 'modern' look in an air cooled Porsche.

https://www.vintagetraderaz.com/product-page/12v-vintage-white-led-headlights

[Mr. Merk]

Originally Posted by CASair

Just recently saw these in action at the Porsche meet in Socal. The output is insane and the light 'color' is just like stock, with the yellow tone to it, not the blue LED lights. They look just like stock and I personally just do not like the 'modern' look in an air cooled Porsche.

https://www.vintagetraderaz.com/product-page/12v-vintage-white-led-headlights

They look like they've stuck run-of-the-mill "drop-in" LED "bulbs" into H4 headlamps. Major fail if so.

Seeing things like this and this on their website make me cringe. They also don't seem to show the actual products, just images of the lights turned on, which doesn't show you how well they actually work.


These look promising, but I don't have enough information yet to say if they are recommendable or not.

[TxGerman]

I realize that headlights often times carry strong opinions. Some love the original look, others like the modern look. I agree with the previous posting that it is about safety, but with an element of design (IMO). I have been so disappointed in the H4’s that I was looking forward to an LED upgrade. Plus, I love the look. But that’s me and I know others probably shake their head at my car now and that’s ok. It’s MY car. Here’s a pic of my 911 Haus headlights. I love them. The look. The function. I call them transformational, the lighting was so dramatically improved it was just amazing.








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[7783911]

TX

how was the fitment with the HAUS units...

[TxGerman]

Originally Posted by 7783911

TX

how was the fitment with the HAUS units...

After reading about how many people have struggled with some of the offerings on the market, I was very concerned. Fortunately, I had no issues with the installation and they snugged up very nicely. I was very relieved. There are certainly a few technical details that absolutely can't be overlooked or skipped (two of the internal tabs have to be bent flat, as one example) but I took my time and didn't rush....they just fit nicely. I did replace my bezel/ring gaskets since mine looked like they might have been 40 y.o. OE gaskets.

[7783911]

Tx TX

I had read/heard the HAUS units had better fitment then some of the other suppliers....
I have new seals (actually using VW seals which are a better fit)

if you ever have the units off, i d be interested to see pictures of what you had to alter?

appreciate the help before i spend beaucoup$

[DRACO A5OG]

Hey Fellas

Well I can personally attest to the fact these LEDs by Vintage Trader are extremely bright not just your "run of the mill" drop in but engineered to provide gentle non-blue white light, liken to incandescent but 3-4 times brighter compared to SW-Chip's 80 Watt H4s on his 3.2. He was very skeptical of the LEDs but he was impressed which is very rare :-)

Mine are European H4's and I just used the LEDs.

In the past I used HID's but it was hit and miss when the balast would turn on or not then I installed PIAA LEDs, great light but so dim, not much better than 60Watt Standard Bulbs. They paled in comparison to Vintage Trader's LEDs.

While testing them I never realized the softer warmer light was more pleasing and less strain on my old eyes.

I highly recommend them, especially if you have the Sugar Scoop lights as they are truly plug and play. They will also keep the original look of the car

Jim

Originally Posted by Mr. Merk

They look like they've stuck run-of-the-mill "drop-in" LED "bulbs" into H4 headlamps. Major fail if so.

Seeing things like this and this on their website make me cringe. They also don't seem to show the actual products, just images of the lights turned on, which doesn't show you how well they actually work.


These look promising, but I don't have enough information yet to say if they are recommendable or not.

Crap, I got allot of Stuff in the Garage RFLOL

[Mr. Merk]

Originally Posted by DRACO A5OG

Hey Fellas

Well I can personally attest to the fact these LEDs by Vintage Trader are extremely bright not just your "run of the mill" drop in but engineered to provide gentle non-blue white light

There is so much more to optics than brightness and color. LEDs can work great in housings designed for LEDS, but its impossible for the LEDs to be properly focused in a housing designed for a halogen bulb. Even if our eyes tell our brains "hey I can see so much better" doesn't mean we can factually see better.

I understand it can make us feel safer and more confident, even if we aren't.

[ADDvanced]

^ yup. A lot of people see a blown out foreground/scatter and say WOW I CAN SEE EVERY PEBBLE MY LIGHTING IS SO MUCH BETTER but they're not noticing:
1. The light does not punch as far. Do back to back testing with a street sign or something reflective on a long straight road. LEDs rarely go as far as halogens
2. The super bright foreground reduces your EYEBALL'S ABILITY to discern things farther ahead, as the contrast is too much.

That said, our US spec headlights when these cars were new was pretty much ****, so I would assume projector style lights exceed the original design in all aspects. Drop in LED bulbs tho? Skeptical.

[Mr. Merk]

Originally Posted by ADDvanced

^ yup. A lot of people see a blown out foreground/scatter and say WOW I CAN SEE EVERY PEBBLE MY LIGHTING IS SO MUCH BETTER but they're not noticing:
1. The light does not punch as far. Do back to back testing with a street sign or something reflective on a long straight road. LEDs rarely go as far as halogens
2. The super bright foreground reduces your EYEBALL'S ABILITY to discern things farther ahead, as the contrast is too much.

That said, our US spec headlights when these cars were new was pretty much ****, so I would assume projector style lights exceed the original design in all aspects. Drop in LED bulbs tho? Skeptical.

Well said.

The super bright foreground light you mentioned also comes into play when running fog lamps (you're out driving your fog lamps reach over 25mph) and having bright LED instrument lights or bright back-lighting from a dash mounted cell phone that cause your pupils to constrict, keeping you from being able to see as far down the road.

[7783911]

all great thoughts, but leaves me confused as to best approach re updating my HLs. HAUS units or not. Find a good Halogen and use instead?

puzzled Bob

[darrin]

Originally Posted by 7783911

all great thoughts, but leaves me confused as to best approach re updating my HLs. HAUS units or not. Find a good Halogen and use instead?

puzzled Bob

Bob -- if you're still running sealed beam/sugar scoops, you might want to consider starting with a set of drop-in H4 assemblies/bulbs and a set of headlight relays (the JWest ones our host sells are great) -- this will be a significant improvement over stock (once properly aimed) and only requires a minimal investment.

[7783911]

I have a hybrid..scoops look but an h4 beam (not sealed) so i should look for better bulbs or will the reflector in pace not take advantage of better bulbs. Any suggestions on Bulbs?

[famoroso]

Originally Posted by 7783911

I have a hybrid..scoops look but an h4 beam (not sealed) so i should look for better bulbs or will the reflector in pace not take advantage of better bulbs. Any suggestions on Bulbs?

Post a pic of what you have.

[Mr. Merk]

Originally Posted by 7783911

I have a hybrid..scoops look but an h4 beam (not sealed) so i should look for better bulbs or will the reflector in pace not take advantage of better bulbs. Any suggestions on Bulbs?

I get what you are saying, and these are potentially very good, although they may be in need of a refresh. Cibie used to be the standard, especially the old (no longer available) Z beams. These days, Koito makes the best 7" H4 halogen lamp and GE/Tungsram makes the best H4 bulb. Contact Daniel Stern and he'll set you up with everything you need.

The Jwest relay kit is an easy-to-install/cost-effective upgrade that I've also been using, but isn't the end-all solution, only
addressing about 1/3 of the issue.

"Yay, relays for low and high beam, but just splicing them into the car's thin headlight wiring leaves marginal-to-inadequate feed and ground paths in place."

[AlKidd]

Remember the point of the relays is to save the hi/low switch in the column by diverting full light draw through the relay. The fact it shortens the path to the bulbs is a bonus.

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by ADDvanced

So... does anyone make a drop in lighting solution that has FOUR leds like modern porsche stuff? If not... man someone is leaving a lot of money on the table.

IIRC, 9eleven is making a new headlamp with the quad lights. I don't see them offered on their website, but I've seen a prototype of them on a friend's car. I suppose you could give 'em a call and see when that's coming to market.

[sc]

I'm using these:
MORIMOTO BI-LED SEALED7 2.0 HEADLIGHT/DRL/TURN SIGNALS 7" ROUND sealed beam units

Super bright Hi and Low beams - 2,400lm (Low), 4,300lm (High)
Quad design DRL (Daytime running lights) replicating current Porsche LED headlight designs
DRL's turn Amber on turn/flasher circuit
Excellent Morimoto quality and DOT approved
Easy install if already running 7" sealed headlights...A little more work if you're not, but plenty of Pelican articles about converting to 7" LED lights.







https://www.morimotohid.com/morimoto-7in-sealed7-2-headlight?quantity=1


[QUOTE=Classic11;11652239]I have been debating for a while on what to do with my headlights, one of my H4's needs a shiny reflector and what i really want to do is go LED. Yes for better light but mainly for looks. I have looked for pictures but have a hard time finding a 911 with "Black" Led headlights. I think the dark would work well with the impact bumper rubber. Anybody done this conversion?

[sc]

Just posted my "Quad" setup...

Originally Posted by ADDvanced

So... does anyone make a drop in lighting solution that has FOUR leds like modern porsche stuff? If not... man someone is leaving a lot of money on the table.

[rothaus]

Originally Posted by sc

Just posted my "Quad" setup...

Why do you sell them now ? Going back to original ?