i bet I'm losing some voltage in the old wiring......

 

H4 in the center on the glass H5 only has markings around the outside (doesn't say H5)

 

Silverstars suck. Philips Night Guide bulbs are a lot better.

 

Aftermarket HIDs in H4's are OK - they should retain the sharp beam top cut-off pattern, so you don't blind others. At least that's been my experience, having run them for several years now. As Sean notes, although HID kits are available for H5s, they are not suitable due to the diffuse DOT beam pattern. Even with extra down aiming, they just are a bad idea. Note that all the aftermarket adaptations of HID bulbs to non-HID formats, such as H4, H5, whatever H, sold widely on eBay and Craigslist, are not legal and are bastardized remountings of true HID bulbs onto adapters to fit non-HID bulb holders and plugs. With that said, I don't see a practical problem with HIDs adapted to H4s, even including the Hi/Lo one bulb forms that use a pivoting bulb (I have a set; lows are bright but don't glare into oncoming eyes, high beam position lights up the planet). And since HIDs draw less current than incandescents they work well wired into stock wiring.

 

I need the len's for on this side of the pond, mines from Japan.
I installed the Brighter but had to crank them down and turn the drivers in as to not blind people.
I don't normally take it anywhere but just the same I did not want to risk blinding or pissing people off. I know how that feels.
I would like someone to sell me 2 US len's that wont brake the bank.

[oh hunny we have to wait to get married now because I paid $400 each for head lamps, ah no they dont come with bulbs and are not signed by Gean Simmons]

 

Are you looking for H5? I'll be taking a set out of my 94 GTS The lenses are in excellent shape glass has minor scratches and one small yellow spot.

Including bulbs and H5 wire connectors in exchange for yours.

$375.00 plus freight.

Best H

 

i have been doing some research about Xenon or HID upgrades. look like a lot of the cheaper kits might work, but you get what you pay for. right now I'm looking at Phillips HID conversion kit. little more then a Bi-Xenon kit but looks like a nice kit. and its GERMAN made!

 

Not dumb at all. At least to me.

7", 8", H4s, H5s, HIDs, beem pattern, etc., etc. What does all this mean?

Anyone got a good link (preferably with pictures) that sums it all up?

I've done searches but haven't found anywhere the "paints the whole picture".

A "Dwayne type" link of all the various mods would be awesome!

 

Ok Here goes :

Worst

7" Sealed Beams (poorest beam pattern - dim) Stock on USA '78-'86 (generic )
8" H5's (poor beam pattern) (not suitable for brighter bulbs) Stock on USA '87-'95 (Bosch / Hella)
7" H4's (good beam pattern, can handle brighter bulbs) Aftermarket - for USA sealed beam replacement (Hella, Cibie)
8" H4's (good beam pattern - brighter & can handle brighter bulbs) Stock on ROW cars (Bosch / Hella)

Best

8" H4's were the originally intended lighting for the 928 Design - USA lighting was always a compromise due to DOT lighting requirements...

As to beam pattern DOT lenses (H5 and Sealed beam 7") have a general blob for each lamp focussed to the right off central axis to avoid blinding oncoming motorists - it has no defined cutoff - brighter bulbs create huge up spill and side spill due to lack of cutoff. H4 lamp of 7" & 8" have similar patters with a wider beam, sharp upspill cutoff to the left and center and a diagonal upspoill to the right to illuminate street signs. H4 8" are brighter and better defined due to the bigger lenses. 7" generic sealed beam lenses are by far the worst lenses of all - 8" H5's are really significantly better...

If I were to rate them out of 10:

7" Sealed beam 2/10
8" H5 6/10
7" H4 8/10
8" H4 10/10

7" Sealed beams, 7" & 8" H4's all share the same H4/9003 style bulb plug connector - no changes are required to move between these.

8" H5's have 9004 connectors that are not compatible with any of the others and must be swapped in making those transitions

The H5/9004 connector is inferior in terminal size compared to a 9003 H4 connector. It does have a rather better weather protection mechanisms but brighter bulbs not only have beam pattern spill issues they frequently also lead to connector damage - esp in humid climates.

H5's require 9004 bulbs while H4's require 9003 (H4) bulbs. Only H4 lamps systems are compatible with the remote headlight aiming systems installed on ROW cars - this feature cannot be retrofitted with H5 lenses.

Alan

 

Awesome pictures Alan.
Mine are like the bottom H4 Pattern except they shine to the left.
This blinded other drivers and got me a lot of high beams back in my eyes until I studied the pattern and understood what was going on.

I brought the lights down, way down and moved them both over to the right out of the oncoming drivers eyes.
I had to move the drivers a lot more to the right then the passenger.
I am looking to trade my lamps with someone in the UK that have the US H4 Pattern
I installed the stronger bulbs aso that I could see due to them being so far out of adjustment.

So if anyone has the US H4 len's that are not damaged in any way (because mine are not) and they want to trade for the Euro H4, PM me

 

Thanks Alan, that helps quite a bit.

 

I actually get a good amount of output from my sealed beams with the fogs on. I will be upgrading to the 8" H4 whenever I can find a good set. They don't have nearly the output of my wife's Bi-Xenons on her GTI though!

 

I got a set of Phillips HID lights . got them installed and working today. can't wait to take a nice night drive.... NOW THAT I CAN SEE!

 

I'm still interested in hearing if you actually have 8" Bosch H4 lamps installed? - or something else? That you have now gone to HID lamps suggest you still weren't happy with lighting output - which should not have been the case after your other upgrades...?

If you have aftermarket "H4" lenses - then this is likely what is really limiting yor light output...

Alan

 

They are H4 Bosch lamps. after adjusting the lights better, that was a major improvement, but i got use to the nice bright lights on our Nissan Murano. after my drive last night with this set up the difference was amazing. the stock lamps were Osram (sp) bulbs.