LED headlight bulb vs Halogen bulbs
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Chicago, IL
LED headlight bulb vs Halogen bulbs
Are there any LED headlamp bulbs that can replace the halogen bulbs in mk1 cars, such as my 99 C2? I couldn’t really find much on this topic, save for those folks replacing the entire headlight assembly. But I am just focused on the bulb itself. I have no complaints about the Halogens in my car, but my mechanic told me to look into LED bulbs since they are much brighter.
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Ormond Beach, FL
No affiliation and have not tried any. Expensive to put through a trial run - https://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/...ype,H7,1,4933:
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,437
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From: Gig Harbor, WA
Skip the LED bulbs. The technology isn't there yet. It's not much different than sticking HID bulbs in a halogen housing. It's not actually any additional light output, and it glares everywhere.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 180
Likes: 5
From: Seattle
If you don't have projectors, i would NOT do anything...LED or HID. And, plus one with the captain, LED is not there yet as far as bulbs. Even the ones from the legit companies have big heat sinks that are hard to fit, not sure but also might throw codes. TRS makes a drop in LED projector now so that may be an option... requires un gluing the lense tho. I'm about to do an HID install, will write up when I have time.
https://www.theretrofitsource.com/pr...rojectors.html
https://www.theretrofitsource.com/pr...rojectors.html
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,525
Likes: 555
I did HIDs in my son's boxster and they are great. Piece of cake. There is some great info in the later part of this thread on what to buy and how to install.
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...t-posting.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...t-posting.html
Advanced
Joined: May 2022
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I just finished re-wiring the harness inside my 2000 996 C2. I wanted to add LED bulbs to replace my halogens. Fahren Termitor H7’s look great. But was it worth the trouble?
The minute you touch those wires the insulation crumbles like dust. So be prepared to re-wire. Don’t be foolish like I was and use electrical tape. The method I settled on was to buy shrink tubing, wire, wire ties and heat gun and soldering iron. $50 total on Amazon. I’m not sure of the exact AWG wire to use.
Snip each of the real bad wires one by one. Place a shrink tube behind the splice. When done slide the tubing over the exposed copper and use a heat gun to finish it. Took me 3 hours to do each headlight. Be careful to match the correct connectors for hi and low beam.
also…
1) Don’t force the headlights into the enclosure when done. Easy does it. Else you can crack the mounting bracket where the connector goes like I did. 50 f-bombs later I glued it back together and got it fixed.
2) Make sure to check your directional bulbs also. Those wires also corrode and lose their insulation. I found both of mine needed to be reworked just like the inside ones.
3) Lock the lights back in place with the tool. My right side blinker stopped working after my first attempt. Cost me 100 f-bombs. Fast blinker on the dash. It’s NOT the bulb!
OK. Was it worth it?
Not sure yet. I was thrilled to see all the lights working. Now need to drive at night and heat these up and make sure nothing blows up.
Parts = $50-75
F-bombs = >500
PITA scale = 9
DIY enjoyment = 7-8
You gotta love Amazon. Parts arrived same day in most cases.
You gotta love the 996. It keeps you busy and is a thrill to own and drive.
The minute you touch those wires the insulation crumbles like dust. So be prepared to re-wire. Don’t be foolish like I was and use electrical tape. The method I settled on was to buy shrink tubing, wire, wire ties and heat gun and soldering iron. $50 total on Amazon. I’m not sure of the exact AWG wire to use.
Snip each of the real bad wires one by one. Place a shrink tube behind the splice. When done slide the tubing over the exposed copper and use a heat gun to finish it. Took me 3 hours to do each headlight. Be careful to match the correct connectors for hi and low beam.
also…
1) Don’t force the headlights into the enclosure when done. Easy does it. Else you can crack the mounting bracket where the connector goes like I did. 50 f-bombs later I glued it back together and got it fixed.
2) Make sure to check your directional bulbs also. Those wires also corrode and lose their insulation. I found both of mine needed to be reworked just like the inside ones.
3) Lock the lights back in place with the tool. My right side blinker stopped working after my first attempt. Cost me 100 f-bombs. Fast blinker on the dash. It’s NOT the bulb!
OK. Was it worth it?
Not sure yet. I was thrilled to see all the lights working. Now need to drive at night and heat these up and make sure nothing blows up.
Parts = $50-75
F-bombs = >500
PITA scale = 9
DIY enjoyment = 7-8
You gotta love Amazon. Parts arrived same day in most cases.
You gotta love the 996. It keeps you busy and is a thrill to own and drive.
