Ducman82

i never drive at night (in the shark), just works out that way, but tonight i found that the headlights really do suck. i have the nice big H4 headlights with the standard broken adjuster attachment point with the plastic prongs.

anywho, anyone have any experience with different bulb upgrades in the H4 range?

Alan

What exactly do you have? sealed beams? 8" H4's, 7" H4's

If you have 8" H4 they certainly shouldn't suck at all... even with stock bulbs

Alan

77tony

Alan, Ducman stated that he is running the big H4's above. I just ordered the Sylvania Silverstar Ultra's from Roger at: www.928srus.com (8" H5's) and am hoping that cures the similar problem you are experiencing. If you like, PM me in a week or so, and I'll let you know the results. 77Tony

heinrich

You guys are smoking something strong .. the H4's can't suck. Maybe they need adjustment.

Speedtoys

Upgrade the wiring to them.

Alan

Yes I saw what he said - but as the Star Trek computer might say "...does not compute..."

It really makes no sense - so I question it.

Lots of people who have sealed beams think they are H4's just because they share a common connector...

The pecking order of stock lighting is this:

Worst

7" Sealed Beams (poorest beam pattern - dim)
8" H5's (poor beam pattern) (not suitable for brighter bulbs)
7" H4's (good beam pattern, can handle brighter bulbs)
8" H4's (good beam pattern - brighter & can handle brighter bulbs)

Best

Alan

FredR

If you have the 8 inch Euro type H4 unit, good as they are, there is a nice cheap upgrade using Osram high performance bulbs that have exactly the same wattage. I found these to have a noticeable improvement and now they have just introduced another variant in their range that they claim to be even better- Osram Night Breaker plus. They are around $40 a pair [UK pricing] so doubtless cheaper Stateside.

If you are thinking of going for cheapo high wattage bulbs be very wary wiring wise. More wattage does not necessarily mean better performance even though the presumption is quite reasonable.

If by any chance you do try this latest variant in the Osram upgraded range do let us know what you think. I might get my daughter to bring a pair of this latest spec out to me when she comes over for Xmas break.

Regards

Fred

odurandina

i went ahead and purchased a pair of new 993 Xenon Litronic lamps with the goal of running them on my 968 after i hybridize the fenders... they cost about $2,740 each at the dealer (totally insane), but i got lucky paying just $1,500 for the pair from a guy who did a group buy and had a few sets left unsold at the end and simply dumping them.... the next step was getting the ballasts and wiring harnesses.... about $1,300 from Porsche. no thanks...

not so crazy about the stock 4,300 K lights anyway, so i had a shop set up a ballast/igniter/6,000 K lamp combo and seal everything up.... handed him the lights and asked him to tell me when they were ready. $380 for the set.... love the mild ricer look, but the 6,000 k bulbs are still street legal.

next, i had DC Automotive search for a pair of 993 fenders banged up at the rear sections of the wheel wells. they were successful in being able to cut them about 14 inches behind the lamp sockets, and now i've got a sizable challenge for anyone who can spot-weld to help get me a good head start on hybridizing these fenders.....

i've heard of the 993 guys fitting up hid bulbs in their regular halogen lampsets, but, based on what i've read, this shouldn't be done. even so, i want to see a late GTS running xenons.

Ducman82

i have the 8in H4's. i know they need to be adjusted a little, but they are not as bright as i think they should be. bulbs might be old , i have never replaced them. so I'm wondering what replacements other then stock are a nice upgrade.

WallyP

Do a search for the thread on installing better wiring and additional relays.

Speedtoys

I just did this.

Gained 3v at the bulbs.

Wow.

heinrich

Point of Order

Guys, I implore you to think about the fact that brighter is not always better, in fact often it is a great way to cause other drivers harm, and in some cases potential life loss. I don't want to sound like Gramma here, but especially in my Porsches over trhe years, I've been in front of, or approaching, someone in a 928 or similar with super bright lights, and I've in rare cases had to pull over and let them by, because I simply could not see for their bright headlights. Been on PCA drives with that sort of situation ... extremely un-fun.

Tune the headlamps you have, aim them properly. Go to H4, that is the best option if H5 won't do for you (I have been happy with H5 for over 10 years in over 15 928's).

blown 87

That in itself is a upgrade.

Speedtoys

Ya..I see no need for BRIGHTER lights, now that my 8" H4s are running at alternator voltage.

Oh ya..I cant wait do to the -other- one. Just doing one was dramatic.

Ducman82

sounds like a good first place to start!