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Litronics again!!

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Old Feb 2, 2002 | 11:34 PM
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Question Litronics again!!

Not to beat an old horse - But, all questions were not answered.
Did anyone compare the conversion from Autolamps-online to Porsche Litronics?
Should I go for a new set of Porsche Litronics for $1295 or go for a set of
conversions from autolamps-online for $695?
Is there a difference in light output or pattern?
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Old Feb 3, 2002 | 12:44 AM
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</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by pookee:
<strong>Not to beat an old horse - But, all questions were not answered.

Pookee - no flame intended, but the horse is glue by now. Several looooong threads I thought had covered these issues. Email any other questions you have & I'll be happy to give you a hand, if I can. I'm sure John W or Steve in the UK will too.

&lt;&lt;Did anyone compare the conversion from Autolamps-online to Porsche Litronics?

Yes - John posted he saw no performance differences. The bulb is, of course, different. Litronics uses a standard D2S mount, Autolamps a customized H-1 mount. My conversion uses a D2S - I see no difference compared to Litronics in output or pattern.

&lt;&lt;Should I go for a new set of Porsche Litronics for $1295 or go for a set of conversions from autolamps-online for $695?

Litronics is OEM, aftermarket is not. Litronics is a "cleaner" install. How much of a purist are you? If you'll DIY, aftermarket is much easier. How important is the cost savings? Are you concerned that non OEM may be an issue at sale time? All subjective & personal questions for you.

&lt;&lt;Is there a difference in light output or pattern?

Not to my eyes, but YMMV.
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva"><a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/cgi-bin/rennforums/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=000568" target="_blank">HID Conversion Summary Post</a>
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Old Feb 3, 2002 | 01:06 AM
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Sorry Dan if I upset u,
I am a purist but I don't see any reason to throw away money. Thanks, for your coments, I will order the DIY setup from Autolamps.
pookee.
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Old Feb 3, 2002 | 03:38 AM
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Hey, not upset at all. Just suggesting there are good reasons unrelated to performance to go w/Litronics. Obviously, they didn't sway me.

Besides, I figured a guy from Hackensack wouldn't know much about beating horses anyway <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Feel free to email if you run into any problems w/the install.
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Old Feb 3, 2002 | 08:46 PM
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here's a place for everyone to go if they are looking for CHEAP HID lights..

<a href="http://www.procarparts.com/store/displaycategoryproduct.cfm?pcategory=Lighting&psubcategory=Phillips%20Re al%20HID%20Kit" target="_blank">http://www.procarparts.com/store/displaycategoryproduct.cfm?pcategory=Lighting&psubcategory=Phillips%20Re al%20HID%20Kit</a>

only 450 bucks
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Old Feb 3, 2002 | 11:21 PM
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Smile

That's a good price. I would order these except I read on the Autolamps-online web page that there are units made with poor epoxy on reworked H1 bases. You think the quality is good?
BTW, are stock 993 lamps self-leveling? I think the Litronics are.
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Old Feb 3, 2002 | 11:29 PM
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Pookee,

I like to share with you my HID conversion experience on my E36 M3 and perhaps give you a better understanding between original factory fitted HIDs vs aftermarket HID conversion. (I decided to use my M3 as my guinea pig before attempting it on my 993).

The kit I purchased was a Korean made H1 conversion kit called Vision .It's very similar to the auto-lamps kit, phillips ballast, bulbs etc. I've had it on my car for over 6 months and so far, it's been trouble free. It took my bmw mechanic about 1.5 hours to fit it. Didn't look terribly difficult but when it comes to electrical mods, I'd rather not get my hands dirty.

It goes without saying, the light intensity of HID is of course much brighter than a regular halgoen bulb but what I found different between a car with original factory fitted HID and my car is the focal point of the light.

Take a look at a mag-light torch, when you twist the head of a mag light, you acheive different light outputs. By twisting the head, you are changing the lens distance from the light source (ie bulb), thereby changing the focal point.

This is the problem I faced when I installed my HID bulbs. My light output is not focused unlike cars with factory fitted HIDs. Firstly, Non HID lamps are not designed to reflect brigter light source. Secondly and more importantly, D2S bulbs are longer than regular H1 bulbs. I found that by replacing H1 with the D2S bulbs, the D2S bulbs just sprays light all over the lens and because these bulb is longer, thereby changing distance between the lens and D2S bulb. What you get is light spilling from every corner of the lens and the result you get is just very bright intense light coming out from headlamp unit. Good if you're driving in complete darkness in the wilderness but not good if you're in the city. I've driven in front of my car and I've seen my lights. They're extremely bright but not the same as your lexus or audis or 993TT. It is just plain bright and not focused. Hence the reason for not replacing my 993 with this kit. I would opt for the litronics for this reason.

I thought you might want to know this before taking the plunge. Perhaps someone else has experienced the same thing?

993C4 Cab
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Old Feb 4, 2002 | 02:35 AM
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[quote]Originally posted by pookee:
<strong>...are stock 993 lamps self-leveling? I think the Litronics are.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Stock Litronics (oem with the car) is self leveling.
Neither retrofit Litronics nor aftermarket HID is self leveling.
I believe self leveling is a required feature w/HID lighting in some countries, but not in the US.

BTW, I think the Autolamps H1 kit is $550 incl shipping & IMO is a better kit than the D2S kit I installed.
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Old Feb 4, 2002 | 03:11 PM
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993C4: "...Non HID lamps are not designed to reflect brighter light source..."

Could you please explain this. I'm not sure if light intensity has much to do with the reflector's shape. I could be wrong though, I often am.
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Old Feb 4, 2002 | 03:30 PM
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[quote]Originally posted by Silver Bullet:
<strong>..."self-leveling" or manual leveling? I thought Porsche only offered manual leveling and was not in US spec'd cars at all.</strong><hr></blockquote>


<a href="http://boards.rennlist.com/cgi-bin/993/993.pl?read=44353" target="_blank">Self leveling thread</a> (among others)
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Old Feb 7, 2002 | 11:18 AM
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Cool

Just ordered the H1 HID kit from Autolamps - at least 7 days away. Slight reservation after enquiring about spare bulbs - they are $200 each, or $175 if you have bought a kit!

Seems like a very high proportion of the kit price - how much are the factory D2S bulbs?

Cheers, Maurice
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Old Feb 7, 2002 | 11:33 AM
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Maurice,
Did you order the 6000k or 4000k?
I ready to order and am leaning towards the 4000k, because it throws 20% more light.
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Old Feb 7, 2002 | 01:58 PM
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[quote]Originally posted by maurice97C2S:
<strong>Seems like a very high proportion of the kit price - how much are the factory D2S bulbs?</strong><hr></blockquote>

D2S bulbs retail for about $150US each
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Old Feb 8, 2002 | 05:56 AM
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I went for the H1 HID kit on JWs advice about light outputs - the Ultinon (6000) being tailored for more blue look rather than output.
BTW, if you have a private free email address, be prepared to fax back order confirmation - was a PITA for me, then they said it was because of hotmail fraudsters. Or use your work email!
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Old Feb 8, 2002 | 06:57 AM
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Are the factory Litronics blue?
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