KMASS993

Hey,

Has anyone thought about modifying the internals of a 997 headlight to fit in the 993 headlight casing? They seem very similar in shape and style, I don't think the untrained person would even notice the difference. Much better optics as well. The section I am talking about is where the ribbed plastic on the bottom stops and the chrome starts, the dimensions look very similar. Would it be too cyclops looking? I saw some 997 headlights on ebay for $165 each... maybe it would be better to just go with HIDs?

Kevin

Edgy01

There is a lot more going on with the 997 headlights than one would first imagine. With the Bi-Xenons, you really need to have the washers for them (legal issue) as well as the auto-levelers. I have to say that they are truly the best headlights I have ever had on a Porsche but retrofitting them into the 993 headlight buckets just doesn't seem possible. Even if you could get a good fit (doubtful) there is a lot of other stuff going on to control them that could complicate that project.

Best of luck if you proceed,--also, watch out for eBay ads for those headlights. Many are stolen from 997s in the Florida area and wind up on eBay. You may be contributing to those losses should you chose to buy a $1000 headlight for $165 on eBay. (They are extremely easy to remove).

FlatSix911

Kevin, great idea on the 997 headlight retrofit ... I have considered the same concept myself ...

Don't listen to the nay-sayers who may not have the skills or vision to make it happen. If you do go ahead with the project, be sure to post photos ...

Terry Adams

I just bought the lens and housing part from Sunset Porsche for about $817. No bulbs, levelers or anything. For my TT with just a cracked lens. The part is the one with the red "1". I miss my 993 when a lens replacement was about $75!



The entire bi-Xenon unit is about $1200 at the dealer.

KMASS993

Ted,

It may be a fall project... it was just a thought when I saw the picture I posted above. I will be sure to post if a choose to proceed!

KMASS993

Terry,

What are you planning to do with your old one? Thanks.

Kevin

Terry Adams

Keep it in case I get hit with more flying road debris.

curve lover

Kevin-- Anziano's Bad Boys created the following, for sale by LA Dismantlers.
Related RL thread -- eBay: 997 + 993TT + 1989 Speedster = ???
Auction: Porsche 911 Custom Anziano 997 993 Turbo Speedster Look

Also, a RLer on the 993 Turbo forum installed 997 headlights; mayber someone can remind us who. Keep us updated if you make the conversion. Good luck!

KMASS993

Curve,

I am not looking to put the whole headlight in, just the innards as they are superior optics. I would never carve up a 993... thats like Jessica Alba getting plastic surgery...

curve lover

I'm arguably good with pix, not words. Your Alba imagery's perfect!
Saw title '997 headlight' & your photo of ... 997 headlight. I'm a simple man. Now I notice key word "internals" in your OP.

Great idea to take advantage of just the upgraded interior components; RLer recently wrote that 997 had best headlights of any Porsche he'd driven.
A little shocking to see below RL TT after eye surgery.

bart1

there was a 964 in the last Excellence with 997 lights. That required some serious work and they look to big. Of course that car had over 1100 hp, so who cares.

Ag02M5

What version of PET is that? Looks alot better than the one I have.

ploglet

If we are able to put the innards into the 993, I will definitely do that. The stock 993 lights suck.

jaholmes

I think you are onto something. Just taking the guts out of the 997 body and putting them into the 993 body. It's probably worth a prototype. j

maybe it's been brought up but these things turn too. Probably would have to disable it since the 993 probably does not have any steering inputs. But the auto-level should work.

Even grabbing all the essential parts may be worth a try like the ballast and leveling unit.

ltc

Much easier to just install the OEM Litronics kit IMHO.

But, if you want someone who tackled a similar technical challenge, PM RL member Toby Pennycuff .
He attempted to retrofit BiXenons into a std Cayenne ... he hasn't quite been the same since.

Mechanics apart, you probably could just retrofit the 997 headlight and bypass (or install a manual) leveling mechanism, similar to that done OEM by Euro VW's....
http://www.tmtuning.com/HOME/catalog...t_product=1708

But again, in the end, OEM Litronics would be easier.