jody stowitts

Question: Tech article on 964 RS(A) website regarding replacing H5 headlight bulbs (80/100att) with Silverstar 45/65watt bulbs not only reduces electrical energy draw but is oddly brighter than the former H5 bulbs. Also claims that 100watt bulbs should be accompanied by a relay in the headlight circuit. Can anyone direct me to a possible archived thread on this by Rennlisters. Am curious about any Rennlisters' experiences and thoughts. P.S., I don't know if my stock '91 Cab has a relay incorporated into the headlight circuit or not. THANX !

tbennett017

Stock does not have a relay. There is lots of data here regarding headlight relay wiring. I'd do a search. There are lots of DIY articles on the web for doing relays that are not specifically Porsche related. I am working on a DIY on how to do this for the Porsche.. but haven't finished it.

I run relays, H4 assemblies, and much higher wattage bulbs.

I'd also read up on Daniel Stern's lighting site on the theory of lighting. I am not convinced that Silverstars are actually brighter. Take a look at his technical articles and you can decide for yourself.

chris951

Photos Please. I put Silverstar Ultras on my car, they didn't make much of a difference. I put them on my 944 turbo and it was 20 times better than it was before.

crg53

I put H4's, relays and heavier wiring in my car, the difference is significant, still have the 55w60 bulbs in there, may upgrade to something more powerful. Followed Daniel Stern's DIY. Highly recommended.
I can post some photos, but you will have to wait until tomorrow.

mb911

I am interested in the relay setup and interested in leeping my h5's if possible I was not that impressed with my h4's on my previous car but have not run my h5's so no idea of comparisons at this point but would like to do relays for sure

jody stowitts

By the way, how do I tell what headlights are on my 91 C2 Cab. I'm assuming they're stock, as is the rest of the car. THANX !

Laker

if there are black rubber adjustment screw hole covers at 9 o'clock and noon on the trim rings, they are H5s.
If the lights are so bad, that you wonder if the 964 may actually be faster than the speed of light, you may have H5s.
If people on bicycles with wheel generated lights, flash you at night because they think your headlights are off, you may have H5s.....
If people ask you if your PCar has a 6 volt system, you may have H5s.

jody stowitts

Thanx, Laker ! They're H5's.

tbennett017

Laker, or is that Jeff Foxworthy?

altarchsa

Ahhh, that Laker.

If you do the Silverstars, I suggest you replace the sockets with heavy duty ones. One of mine rusted/burned and the light quit working. Upon replaciing them, parts store informed me of the heavy duty connectors that the lamps plug into. They can handle the higher load of the Silverstars. Mine are MUCH brighter with the Silverstars, but still not like a newer Euro car.......

jody stowitts

So Laker (aka Foxworthy), what lites have you got?

jody stowitts

Laker, I've decided that if someone asks me if I'm the "modern" Diogenes with an upgrade of "two" lamps still looking for an honest man, I reckon I'll spring for some Silverstars or ? Who knows, I might actually run into (not over!) an honest man.

Rocket Rob

FWIW - I'm running H4's with 90/100 bulbs and relays. I tried the silverstars and was unimpressed. I also tried higher wattage bulbs in my H5's. I prefer the light pattern of the H4 and the higher wattage bulbs.

Laker

I'm using
"PIAA 19614 HB1-9004 Style Xtreme White Plus 65/45W=120/95-Watt"
Better than what was in there when I bought it (can't recall), but still poor compared to modern cars.
I'm in on this HID group buy. My night vision isn't getting any better.

hamah

Quick question on running H4s with relays. Does that impact the DRL operation in anyway? If so is there a way to rewire things to keep the DRLs functional (and still available as "fog lights"??)