RichS 1986928

Check this listing:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/78-86...QQcmdZViewItem

I have an 86, although the lights are working, one of them has gotten water
in it so I'm looking to replace them. I'd really like to go with lights that don't
have the chrome ring around them if possible. Does anyone have any
experience with this?
Thanks,
Rich

SharkSkin

Thankfully, no. BIN $6? Probably a $2 light at best, if the guy's making any money at all. You get what you pay for. If you want to lose the chrome ring you'll have to go with the 8" H4s, which I have no doubt are far superior to the ones in that listing.

AO

I 2nd Dave's advice. $6 = crap. H4's are the best but cost about $300 for a used set if you can find them. You can get H5's which also allow you to loose the chrome ring, but aren't as nice (cost is about $150-ish for used set).

RichS 1986928

So what does the H4, H5 stand for?

What's different about them? Are they made by different manufacturers?

AO

The H4's were a (mostly) European market healight that were deemed "illleagal" by the US DOT becasue they have a focused beam. The H5's which are on S4's and later are teh same shape as the H4, but have a diffused pattern. The chrome rings were to allow for a sealed beam headlight that met US spec - and to detract from the rest of the 928's good looks!

RichS 1986928

Thanks for the info, It looks like 928 Motorsports is selling the H5.. but
they are pretty expensive. I'd really like to get rid of the chrome headlight
ring, my car doesn't look right with chrome.. They've got used H4s on 928intl
for $140.

Any advice on how the focused beam effects vision or blinding oncoming traffic
or even worse attacting the cops?

dr bob

Rich--

Get the H4's and you'll be happier.

The H4 lamps have a more sharply focused beam right where you need it. There's a very sharp beam cutoff horizontal on low beam, so no problems blinding other drivers. In fact, when aimed correctly, they are kinder to oncoming drivers than the H5 and sealed beam lamps. The H5 is a concession to US headlight laws, which demand a very specific light pattern among other thngs. Since the 928 was built, some of the many imported cars available have modified patterns with the hard cutoff typical to the H4.

If you live in a state where regular vehicle inspections are mandatory and include headlight and aiming inspections, the H4 may not be for you. There are no little aiming nubs cast into the face, so it can be touch-and-go with an inspector. Otherwise, H4's are the way my friend.

AO

The focused beam is focusd to the right of the car to avoid blinding oncoming traffic / police. That said if you do not have them properly aimed (i.e. too high), you will get flashed.

anonymousagain

Rich - purchased similar pair on eBay for the '80. Keep in mind that these are still 7", so you'll have to keep the chrome beauty ring. Look and work great compared to the dead stockers. Be sure to check that the seller has good feedback from others that purchased the same item. Oh, and if you do go the eBay route, make sure they state "glass lens" as well.

Price is low to bait the auction, where shipping makes up for the actual unit cost. A friend checked his wholesale price for similar lights and they run ~$35 (volume for the eBay guys seems about right @ $30 total).

Good luck !!

RichS 1986928

Thanks for the ebay info, I think I will save up for the H4s, I'd really like to get rid of the chrome
ring, it really doesn't look like it should be there. I'll probably add it to my mental ebay watch
list.

As for the state inspections, I'm in Mass now but I finally have a guy who can make anything pass
inspection if you know what I mean. He's actually a great mechanic and I'm going to start taking
my 928 to him for some of the more basic maintainence/repairs that require a lift. He's very
reasonable on the $$ too. Let me know if anyone wants his name, he's in Attleboro MA.

SharkSkin

Andrew, thanks for the reminder about H5's. Very forgettable IMHO, not worth the effort or $ -- so I forgot.

Mark

Those ebay lights would look great on a NOS'd Honda....provided you had a nice Folgers or Maxwell House Muffler tip...

Some things, you shouldn't scrimp on...like lights, BRAKES, water pumps, etc...

$140 for Used H4's is a BARGAIN!!! (I sold a pair off of an old parts car I had for - IIRC - around $275!)

Tierce

i have a set of H4's for sale if you're still interested. I'm asking $100 for the pair. They are used, but in really good condition. I highly recommend them to anyone.

RichS 1986928

sounds great how can I contact you?

Tenshieternal

I bought a pair like these and yeah they kinda sucked, poor workmanship and qualty.

So I kept looking and found a set on e-bay for about 29 bucks. The housing is good qualtiy glass and built correctly but the Halogen bulbs were cheap so I went to an auto store and bought a set of Sylvania SilverStar bulbs and they work great.

I would like to put in real H4 headlights but at 200+ each.... one day.