pcutt

For my '86 NA, are there any replacement headlight bulbs that will give me more light without the problem of overloading the wiring? I've looked around a little and all the replacements seem to draw more current. I thought there may have been some advancements in bulb technology the past 20 years. I'd like more light if it's easy to come by, but I don't want to hassle with rewiring or running the risk of burning up!

Thanks,
Paul

89magic98

I did a replacement with the Sylvania SilverStar lights. I found them to be somewhat of an improvement over stock (assuming doing nothing than just changing the sealed beam units).

Tony K

Try E-code units made by Cibie, Hella, or Bosch.

Use a standard 55/60 watt H4; you see better because the light is better focused/distributed by better optics. Don't waste your money on bulbs with any color film or tint on them to fake a hotter/whiter color temperature! Just get haloge or halogen + xenon bulbs, but the colorless ones (I think that's what the SilverStars are - ?).

Where to find E-code lighting (a few suggestions of many possibilities):
Cibie - Iceshark on this list I think sells them. Or try www.danielsternlighting.com
Hella - www.rallylights.com
Bosch - www.mbclassiccincinnatti.com will sometimes have them on the shelf

I've heard most people say that Cibie are the best in terms of quality and light distribution/pattern. Any of them should be an improvement over sealed beam. . .

- TK

newoldguy

This will sound like some sort of Ancient History lesson but I have a pair of Hella 7" round headlights with replaceable halogen bulbs that I bought in 1971 (I bought them from a guy with a BMW and put them in a Volvo). I believe they are obsolete now but they still shine great and a huge improvement over the regular old sealed beams. Last time a bulb burnt out I was able to find two so bought them both and now I have a spare. My point would be to see if you can find something like this only a newer model. Good luck and let us all know if you find something.

Charlie

If you want a dramatic improvement get Iceshark's wiring kit, and lights.

Jfrahm

The wiring kit is great but you can also get tons of light from E code lamps and decent H4 bulbs. I am running E codes from (gasp!) JC Whitney that have been great. The bulbs they sell are crap but I was able to buy lenses without bulbs and got some good H4's at the auto parts store. Just do not go overwattage with the stock wiring. It'll melt stuff.

-Joel.

JimV8

Putting in a couple of relays and wiring a hot to the battery is not hard then you can go 90W and really see the light.

01gt eibach

I just got a pair of the replacement sealed-beam Silverstars (H6024ST). It sounds like these are not much of an improvement over what I got now?

ibkevin

Postusresurectus!

Most sealed beams are a little disapointing.

Keithr726

Silverstars or a nice set of PIAAs would make a pretty good difference. If you want a GREAT improvement add e-codes and a wiring kit from rennbay.com

FRporscheman

I installed silverstars on my mom's 944 - the improvement was amazing.

NCporsche

I'm not meaning to be a wise guy but...

I find a great improvement in lighting if I wipe the lenses off. They get dirty and when cleaning the car, I often forget to open the lights and clean them.

dnwong

I put some H4 conversion headlights w/halogens. They look much better than the sealed beams one that where 20years old. I plan to replace the bulbs with xenon bulbs soon. Then xenons are rated 35 watts vs the 50/60 watt halogons. So, I hope that I don't need to upgrade my wiring.

Matt O.

Rennbay makes a kit similiar to Dan Wrays (RIP) light sabers.
http://www.rennbay.com/lighting-c-58.html

Team SSR

I just replaced my Silverstars with the Rennbay E-code kit. Huge difference! Well worth the $.