Ron

In checking the achives I see a number of people have done the HID conversion as opposed to the OEM Litronics which are more expensive.

Have the HID's proven to be reliable?

Do the HID's have only low beams and if so is that all that's needed?

Thanks, Ron

STLPCA

Ron

[quote]Have the HID's proven to be reliable?<hr></blockquote>

So far, yes. I'm at about 1 1/2 yr w/o any problems.

[quote]Do the HID's have only low beams and if so is that all that's needed?<hr></blockquote>

Low beams only (same as oem Litronics) & that's all you need.

PK

I agree with Dan. Low beam is all you need with these HID's. I have mine for about 3 months now and yet to have any problem.

Curtis - '97 Targa

Had mine for six months. No problems or complaints. Wish I could improve the high-beams as much as this improved the lows...

Ron

Curtis,

With respect to improving the high beams as much as the low beams I spoke to Micheal today at <a href="http://www.hids4less.com" target="_blank">www.hids4less.com</a>.

He said they are coming out with a new bulb in about 6 weeks that will change position for both high and low beam be means of a small solenoid. I questioned him about reliabilty he said it had been test to be moved the small amount necessary to change for high to low 1 million times.

STLPCA

[quote]Originally posted by ron:
<strong>He said they are coming out with a new bulb in about 6 weeks that will change position for both high and low beam be means of a small solenoid.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Ron
Unlike single bulb/dual filament headlight assemblies, our cars use 2 completely separate high and low beam bulbs, reflectors & lenses, albeit in one assembly. Look at your headlamp. The bulb you see is for the high beam. Behind the frosted projector lens is the low beam bulb. So don't hold your breath waiting for the "new bulb."

red targa

Changed to Philips HID in January, no problem except a guy who installed it didn't do a good on the small modification required.

My usual Porsche garage fixed that in about 5 minutes.

Much much brighter than before. Yes, high beam remains the same.

John W

[quote]Originally posted by ron:
<strong>Curtis,

With respect to improving the high beams as much as the low beams I spoke to Micheal today at <a href="http://www.hids4less.com" target="_blank">www.hids4less.com</a> <a href="http://www.hids4less.com" target="_blank">www.hids4less.com</a>.

He said they are coming out with a new bulb in about 6 weeks that will change position for both high and low beam be means of a small solenoid. I questioned him about reliabilty he said it had been test to be moved the small amount necessary to change for high to low 1 million times.</strong><hr></blockquote>


Ron,

as Dan says, these aren't really suitable for the 993. They are an H4 fit bulb, and our cars use seperate H1 bulbs for high & low beams.
You will see from the posts you have found that a couple of companies make HID bulbs with an H1 base, which saves having to hack the light about to much, and gives a reversible mod.

Due to the new posting policy I won't post the name of where I got mine from. If you wish to find out more, either look for previous posts on the subject from me, or send me a mail.

IMO the HID upgrade has to be the best non performance related mod you can do to a 993.

Cheers,
John.
P.S. been running my HIDs for about 18 months too, with no probs. Also fitted sets for others, and so far no problems.

maurice97C2S

Maybe this solenoid mechanism is what I have been thinking about - the low beam is only low because it has a cutoff plate stuck in the light path - it would not take too much work to hinge it and flip it out the way with a solenoid when hi beam is activated. Voila, HID Hi Beam !!

Its a little complicated by the adjustment blade which you set to level the cutoff if we RHD cars escape to the continent, but I think it would be do-able. Alternately, graft in the projector design to hi beam as well.

Cheers, Maurice

Curtis - '97 Targa

Why couldn't we just put an HID bulb in place of the existing high-beam? I've been considering swapping one side to see what happens....

STLPCA

[quote]Originally posted by Curtis - '97 Targa:
<strong>Why couldn't we just put an HID bulb in place of the existing high-beam? I've been considering swapping one side to see what happens....</strong><hr></blockquote>

You could, but it may not be worth it:
1) present aftermarket HID technology requires a few seconds warmup, so you would lose high beam flashing ability;
2) it would be hard to find room for the external ballast/igniter in the left fender (right side has enough room);
3) you'd need another exit hole and, more important, more extraneous wiring in the assembly which if it puts pressure on the low beam assembly may alter aim (a problem I experienced w/my heavier D2S high voltage cabling);
4) the high beam lens is poor & I suspect you'd have incredible scatter with a great deal of wasted light (using 100W bulbs made only a marginal difference in my high beams); and
5) give it a try & let us know if any of the above concerns are valid or if there's more I haven't thought about.

hal m

John W.

Please send me an email so I can ask you off-line about the HID conversion details.

I like the idea of a bulb with an H1 base.

Thanks,
Hal M

hmilstein@hewm.com

John W

Hal,
you have mail


Dan,
I'm surprised you haven't tried the high beam yet

If I get time I _may_ plug in one of my bulbs to the high beam socket, just to see what it does.
It's an expensive option though, *** you have to double up on everything. And as already said, space is at a premium.

You also lose the ability to be able to briefly flash people, s Dan says...

Maurice,
if you fancy having a go at the solenoid idea, why not try to pick up a set of s/h ones from a breaker and start hacking.

Cheers,
John. (currently fitting some to my other car too !)

Todd P

Are you running Stage I or II? What are the pros/cons to each other than cost?

John W

[quote]Originally posted by Todd P:
<strong>Are you running Stage I or II? What are the pros/cons to each other than cost?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Erm, I assume you mean the different colour/temperature bulbs, right ?

I am using the 4300K bulbs.
Both types are the same fitment etc, just a different colour/temp, which affects their appearance, performance, and price.

I asked the people where I bought mine if the 6000k Ultinons were worth the extra money.
The response was :

"
The world of HID retrofit started about 7 years ago in Japan. The first kits
that worked were made by a company called XXXXXX and during my time starting
up the XXXXXXX Asia sales operation we helped them design their product. It
enabled a driver of a halogen lit car to get the performance and look of
this NEW technology. While giving a significant improvement in lighting
performance in some applications the result for some owners was not Blue
enough. As the global volumes increased the demand on XXXXXXX for a product
that gave a bluer result for the aftermarket increased.

You can change the colour in 2 ways. Add a filter to the glass such as with
the BlueVision or change the internal salts and gases. Both solutions cost
you light output. In the end the engineers in XXXXXX (where the lamps are
made) chose the salts and gases route as this lost you less light than with
filters. The result in simple terms is that you increase the colour
temperature by approx 60% but you loose approx 20% of the light out put.
Because the Ultinon lamps is so much hotter many drivers perceive that they
are brighter. The reality is if performance is of primary importance the
standard lamp is better. If you want the colour and to get noticed the
Ultinon is the best choice. Now is that worth the extra money?. That I am
afraid can only be answered by the individual driver.
"

I hope this answers your question

Cheers,
John.