Since the thread on "H1 Philips" halogen bulb upgrades veered off to another HID conversion discussion, I though it might be helpful to summarize where we've been during the past year for those new to the Board.

1. A bunch of us have been there, done that. Extensive threads can be found in the archives - here's a sample.

2. Robin has FAQ on the subject at his p-car.com site.

3. John Webster (UK) has great (& extensive) photos of his H1 HID conversion.

4. I've got some photos of my D2S HID conversion.

5. You DO NOT lose your high beams w/HID conversion. That's only for dual filament bulb systems - we have separate H1 single filament bulbs for high & low beams.

6. While I'm very pleased w/the D2S bulb conversion, if I had to do it over, I'd follow John's route & use H1 conversion bulbs. I'd guess that project would be under an hour w/the knowledge gained by John, Steve & me.

7. I'd bet a group buy could be arranged w/most any seller to reduce the cost to (at least) mid $500 range.

Very worthwhile, IMO.

 

Does anybody know where the
http://www.xenonshop.com/

site disappeared to?

Are these folks still around or anyone that does a plug and play Xenon bulb?

 

Sorry Pat, don't kinow where they've gone.

When you say 'plug & play', do you mean a reversible HID install ?
If so, I believe www.Autolamps-online.com are about the only people who make good quality H1 mount HID bulbs. Others either hack the old bulb bases about, or glue adapters to the D2S bulbs, which affects the position of the bulb in its mount.

There are other threads with details of this, and there is a 10% discount offered to us by Autolamps at the moment. If you want the password to get this discount mail me and I'll send it back to you.

Cheers,
John W (only connected with Autolamps as a very satisfied customer).

 

I can second Johns happy customer comments.
Tito

 

xenonshop.com is out of business. the owner was doing it on the side and couldn't keep up with demand.

 

Try http://www.procarparts.com/store/dis...al%20HID%20Kit
Have Phillips kits for H1 for $449.95
located in El Monte, Ca.
(626)350-0286



Scott

 

Erm, not strictly correct.
Yes they are philips balasts, but not philips HID bulbs....

These look like japanese PIAA bulbs, and I have no knowledge of their quality (I would expect them to be good).
I have tried to source these bulbs outside of Japan, and was not able to do so.

I would also point out at this stage that the H1 kit they show has the same pic as the H4 kit.
The size of the standard H1 bulb base is considerably smaller, so I can't see how they mount an H1 bulb with what is a standard D2S connector judging by the balast connector, unless the bulb sticks further out the back of the light.

I'm not trying to put you off buying these as its a great price. Just be aware of the potential pitfalls first
If you can get them to mail you a pic of the H1 HID bulb and how it mounts, I would like to see it.
If they can mail you a pic of the H4 HID bulb too, I might even buy an H4 set !!

Cheers,
John.

 

Question,Does the factory litronics use HID bulbes for the low only or for the high beam also.

 

Low beam only. High beam is a 55 Watt H1 Halogen bulb.

 

John W - Interested in the discount arranged with Autolamps. Any more details? On their ease of install too. Can't get to the site for some reason - perhaps jammed with Porsche people!


C2S with Lousy hi beam - UK

 

Hi Maurice,

very sorry ofr the delay in responding.
I've been pretty busy lately, and I'm still catching up on the last couple of weeks posts !

I've posted you a mail direct with the required password. Its then just a matter of sending them a mail quoting my name and the password, and then they will probably ask you to place your order 'on-line'. Following this they will then refund the discount (seems to make it easier for them this way).

If you need any help with the install, take a look at the pics I have, or mail me and I'll help as best I can. If your local I'll even lend a hand if you need it

Cheers,
John. (Cranleigh, Surrey)

 

There is no performance difference between the H1 HIDs sold by people like Autolamps-online and the factory Litronics.
I have compared my H1 HIDs with a Turbo4S fitted with OEM litronics, and there was no difference at all.
I also have a pair of genuine LHD Litronic headlamps and they are pretty much the same as standard lights with the exception of having no beam adjustment motors in them, the Low beam bulb mounting being for a D2S bulb, the bulb itself, and the Litronic ballast.

Original Litronics are quite expensive in comparison.

You would best ask Gert about that, but I beleive they are original factory upgrade kits. I priced one up for my car, but firstly RHD kits are not available, and secondly it was well over twice the price of the autolamps upgrade.

Hope that helps to clarify things.

Cheers,
John.

 

Maurice,

appologies once again. It seems I didn't read all of your mail. I hadn't visited my yahoo photos album for some time, so they blocked it. Its all okay again now though

Here is a link to the pics, since the one Dan posted may not work any more.

My HID pics

Cheers,
John.

 

Hi Kim,

Do you have a little thumb wheel to the side of your ignition switch, that can manually adjust the headlight beam up or down a little ??

Well this uses two little motors (one in each light) to move the whole headlight internals slightly.
I'm sure its visible in some of my pics.

On the Litronics they _may_ not have this.
The LHD Litronic units I have at home don't (I'd have to check to be 100% sure, but I'm pretty sure they don't).
It is possible that its only the retrofit kits that don't have this though, rather than those that had Litronics from the factory.

I think its something to do with which pins in the connector get used for what, but not 100% on this.

I know of at least one retrofit that has manual levelling with Litronics though, so it can be done. The guy had them professionally fitted by an official porsche dealer, to the tune of about 4k GBP

Cheers,
John.

Maurice, not sure where in the country you are, but if you want to see the difference and your local, we could meet up one night in the new year (Send me a mail if you want to).
The diffference is trully amazing. Rather than squinting to see verges in country lanes at 30mph, I can now race around the lanes at at least twice that, never using high beam
The only time I thought they were poor was when heading up to meet the guys for the last beer meet. I wanted to see further up the road, but when I checked my speed I was in three figures !!

 

Kim and John:

I think the auto-levelling thing is either a Europe-only or ROW thing. It isn't on US cars....

Curtis