Headlight Upgrade
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 38
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From: Los Angeles
Headlight Upgrade
I have done this once, and am forced to do it again. I upgraded from stock sealed beam headlights on my 1984 Targa several years ago. It was one of the best upgrades I have ever done, as I do most of my driving in darkness (I start work before dawn).
After a minor fender bender, the bodyshop that did the repairs replaced my damaged H4 (non-european style) lamps with sealed beams.
I want to go back to the H4's however my supplier has passed away and in looking for a new source I have found many more options than before.
Has anyone tried the ebay offerings of H4 lamps? Some are Hella and some are Autopal. I have found other listings without manufacturers specified.
A few samples:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=290021092615
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=120022155174
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=140019232190
Also, does anyone know about these HID kits?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=170019510283
Thanks,
-Sean
1984 911 Targa
After a minor fender bender, the bodyshop that did the repairs replaced my damaged H4 (non-european style) lamps with sealed beams.
I want to go back to the H4's however my supplier has passed away and in looking for a new source I have found many more options than before.
Has anyone tried the ebay offerings of H4 lamps? Some are Hella and some are Autopal. I have found other listings without manufacturers specified.
A few samples:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=290021092615
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=120022155174
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=140019232190
Also, does anyone know about these HID kits?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=170019510283
Thanks,
-Sean
1984 911 Targa
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 556
Likes: 1
From: Peoples Republic of Long Beach, N.Y.
LA Hy aren't that bad afa street lighting so I figure you can do a minor upgrade and be satisfied. The key is not to overdrive your headlights so no kaboom or even rolling over 40# of truck tire recap threads.
Dan Stern at danielsternlighting.com is a home run of info to fill your needs. Very high watts are doable as our car lamps are low and won't blind on comers if adjusted properly.. But they need new heavier wires for the bulbs.
I run 130/100w Narva, non-DOT Cibies, new wires, relays, and high watt bulb sockets. I use marine AWG tinned 12ga & 10ga wires with silver solder.
Dan sold me everything except wiring. It took me 30yrs to find someone like him.
If you do a nice install start a new thread for others.
Dan Stern at danielsternlighting.com is a home run of info to fill your needs. Very high watts are doable as our car lamps are low and won't blind on comers if adjusted properly.. But they need new heavier wires for the bulbs.
I run 130/100w Narva, non-DOT Cibies, new wires, relays, and high watt bulb sockets. I use marine AWG tinned 12ga & 10ga wires with silver solder.
Dan sold me everything except wiring. It took me 30yrs to find someone like him.
If you do a nice install start a new thread for others.
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,709
Likes: 3
From: Land of the Ptarmigan
I too would recommend Daniel Stern. He is honest & knows lighting. I bought Bosche H4 upgrade kits from Pelican & the Hella sockets from him. I rewired & relayed. 100W/80W.
Ian
Ian
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 556
Likes: 1
From: Peoples Republic of Long Beach, N.Y.
Originally Posted by imcarthur
I too would recommend Daniel Stern. He is honest & knows lighting
Yep...
He attacked my needs big time. Now the word is out there so you probably can save a few cents to by-pass him. He set me up with some really trick Cibie Rally lights.
I like the Narva bulbs as it gives me wider spread for reading I/Hy signs. Other nice mfg are optional. The watts allow 90 cruise on a black road.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,301
Likes: 3
From: San Antonio TX
The H4's are the way to go. My question is ...why didn't the repairer of the car put an H4 back on the car. If there was any difference in price, wouldn't you have paid it? Buyin H4's htrough Pelican or Rennlist is a good way to get good parts. I bought mine used through the Pelican ads and they are great. On my old 69 S, I had H1's, but they are so expensive now I passed on a set. Sealed beams suck big time.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 38
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From: Los Angeles
Spider911: The body shop was terrible. I used a guy that my wife's cousing was dating. They had the car for six weeks. Replaced the driver's side fender with a grey market european fender (fuel door area fits poorly). First fill-up the door cable broke and I ruined a good shirt at the gas station reaching up the wheel well to release the door. They also completely butchered the windshield washer system. I had to take the car back a few times wit a long list of fixes. Each time they would do one or two and I would have to keep going back. I am cutting my losses and bringing it back up to snuff on my own.
RoninLB: LA highways are not too bad. I drive the Pasadena Freeway very early in the A.M. and it is pretty dark and curvy. Things come up on you quickly if you are driving fast. I figure any improvement is a safety issue.
I am emailing Daniel Stern today. Thanks everyone. I will post my progress.
RoninLB: LA highways are not too bad. I drive the Pasadena Freeway very early in the A.M. and it is pretty dark and curvy. Things come up on you quickly if you are driving fast. I figure any improvement is a safety issue.
I am emailing Daniel Stern today. Thanks everyone. I will post my progress.
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Joe Kucinski
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Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Peoples Republic of Long Beach, N.Y.
Originally Posted by seanoj
Pasadena Freeway very early in the A.M. and it is pretty dark and curvy. Things come up on you quickly if you are driving fast. .
80w low is very decent and lens alignment a bit forgiving. With 100w low and just a little tweak adjusting them to your curves it's a home run... and there's plenty of light available not to comprise foreward.
And you draw no HP attention for riding high watts on "Low" because the lens is relatively low to the ground. E-code lens are best optics imo.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 38
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From: Los Angeles
If you want the name of the shop, just PM me. As far as the lenses, E-code seems the way to go (left hand driver, right hand traffic of course). There is so much difference in well aimed (and focused) lenses that no amount of wattage can overcome. 90 or 100w is my goal.
I think using someone else's OEM projectors is a good idea (can't find the thread) but probably beyond the budget for this particular project...
I think using someone else's OEM projectors is a good idea (can't find the thread) but probably beyond the budget for this particular project...
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Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Orinda, CA
I went with the Hella H4 (direct drop-in for the sealed beams installed). I'm using 80w/100w bulbs. Got them all from Pelican. Also have the Sucro relay kit installed - recommend it highly to keep from frying your column switch.
