Q

time for a little retro tech project for my 356... LED brake lights & indicator upgrade

a few things have been becoming more and more obvious to me recently....
- Y gen kids - who are now driving have zero attention span
- Y gen kids dont remember when most cars running lights were also indicators.
- 356 brake lights are very low, and very small.

i figured i could deal with all these issues in one hit. LED brake light & indicator upgrade
Lots of flashy bling for the kids. Practical to have some visible lights.
.....stroke of genius i tell you

i wanted everything covert when not in use....
so i opted for a centre mount brake light in the engine grille,
and indicators in the louvres


look a little deeper...




lights in action !!


night time....


i am stopping now.....time to put down the ipod and look up....


the front received an upgrade whilst i was on a roll.
these were actually motorbike indicators






quite pleased with the results, particularly the brightness during the day !



so, what retro-tech projects have you guys done to your 356's ?

Q

tommytomaso

Thats a great idea.....smart thinking specialy considering all the multitasking that people do while driving...looks like nothings realy been done to the original look...the vents are a perfect spot
i have to say thee best looking black 356 ever!

one ?...what are you using in the fronts to make so bright?...are they bright enough to use as driving lights or is it just the way the camera picked up the light.

Q

scary isnt it !!

They are just normal parking / indicator bulbs.
They look so bright in the photo because I did a time exposure shot to show the indicators flashing...

tommytomaso

Cool look..i thought it funny 67 people looked (concidering the originality )but nobody commented...no possitive no negative..people are funny some times. = )

Q

I was thinking the same thing.
Maybe everyone is overwhelmed by its awesomeness.....

ked

Q, you've done a great job - well-executed solution to a significant issue, esp w/ a black car. my beater/driver has brighter paint (& reflective tape over the bumper bracket openings) than the damn lights! Here it is (flash photo) w/ lights on just before dusk...

waiting for PDK

Still trying to convince my wife a 356 is do-able (a multi-year process) but you've definitely addressed a prime concern. It looks great and is easily reversible should a future owner not share your fear of being rear ended by a cell phone using SUV driver.

Any cooling concerns?

tommytomaso

Q...concidering whats in your stockade...what is your driving impersions compared to such tech heavy 911's compared to a hot outlaw 356?
Iv heard (and i feel the same way but never driven a 356) that they have more soul.....do you find a deeper appreciation and joy driving the old girl...or is the modern rush of speed just that more intoxicating?

tommytomaso

Beater!!!! ok...your right she looks beat...ill trade you my freashly painted with all new sport suspention 1981 928 for your run down clown car....lol

realy though...i like the old patina on a good runner...and yours looks nice..no beater from that angle....lol

Q

Exactly !! ....the black makes it quite inconspicuous on the road. not always a good thing for something so small.

NICE looking SC ! ....for a "beater"


my wife was the one who first suggested we buy a 356 !
they are an absolute pleasure to own.
point out to your wife the financial advantage of owning one - they dont depreciate like newer cars !
mods have had zero effect on cooling.


the 356's definitely have soul !
you need to work harder to drive them well, but the rewards are so high....
i appreciate the newer cars a little more after having spent a day in the 356.
to feel how they have evolved so much, yet still so rewarding to drive.

ked

Tommy, thanks for the offer - best I've had this week - but I tend to keep what I've grown attached to, & it's a blast to drive back-country roads.

Q, also kind comments - your opinion would likely change when you got closer than a photo.
however (as you well know), behind the wheel, in motion, is the best view.

Did you reference this article to begin your LED project?
http://www.356registry.com/techinfo/...aillights.html

cheers! (& thanks for the indulgence - just replaced rear torsion bar bushings & lowered it - more height tuning to come, methinks...)

Q

Even my 356 has some battle scars from 3 competitions
better that, than an undriven garage queen !

no, i hadn't seen that article ! thanks for the link.

oh, ......a quick repaint of your car, and it is looking 100%

tommytomaso

Nice Q...if repainting was just that quick....lol

Q

would be a perfect world wouldn't it...

carrera79

Hi,
don't have the car in the garage right now to make some pict, but when I changed this winter the wiring, I ask to have brake light independent with turn signal (like in europe).
I also ask to have third brake light (put it under the rear grill, single ! )
I change for 12V, put emory alternator, put a DC-DC converter with an USB hub under the dashboard to have USB charging system for GPS, ...
For rear light and fog light, put some Led because of heat.

fred ©

gold plated fuse holder :





fuel mano :


choice of velocity stack (home made) or filter (with K&N inside)