Headlight Mods
Discussion
Since there are several topics open regarding mods and the like, I thought I would bring up the question of the stock headlight, which in my personal opinion do not look quite in-tune with the rest of the car.
A number of enterprising builders have made changes in the is dept, with Wayne and Ultimichael being just two, and I am sure there are loads more!
From what I have managed to glean, these mods are quite effective and look a lot better IMHO, however I wonder how expensive these mods are, and, more important whether the result gives the same or better performance regarding headlamp brightness/ quality?
Anyone care to comment, or know where to get such mods done?
cheers
keith
A number of enterprising builders have made changes in the is dept, with Wayne and Ultimichael being just two, and I am sure there are loads more!
From what I have managed to glean, these mods are quite effective and look a lot better IMHO, however I wonder how expensive these mods are, and, more important whether the result gives the same or better performance regarding headlamp brightness/ quality?
Anyone care to comment, or know where to get such mods done?
cheers
keith
Keith,
I use HID lamps so should perform better.
I managed to get the car legalized without a levelling system. A cleaning system is installed (the holes in front of the lamps, will make covers before painting).
Despite the lamps the modification is cheap, just some GRP.
The amount of work is huge and to make it more difficult left and right wings are different.
The upper two lamps are the same Hellas as the factory ones, but the HID version.
These lamps are longer. I had to lengthen the complete front clip by 4 cm to avoid the wheels
touching the lamps.
Some kind of craziness is needed to do it.
Michael
I use HID lamps so should perform better.
I managed to get the car legalized without a levelling system. A cleaning system is installed (the holes in front of the lamps, will make covers before painting).
Despite the lamps the modification is cheap, just some GRP.
The amount of work is huge and to make it more difficult left and right wings are different.
The upper two lamps are the same Hellas as the factory ones, but the HID version.
These lamps are longer. I had to lengthen the complete front clip by 4 cm to avoid the wheels
touching the lamps.
Some kind of craziness is needed to do it.
Michael
ultimichael said:
Keith,
I use HID lamps so should perform better.
I managed to get the car legalized without a levelling system. A cleaning system is installed (the holes in front of the lamps, will make covers before painting).
Despite the lamps the modification is cheap, just some GRP.
The amount of work is huge and to make it more difficult left and right wings are different.
The upper two lamps are the same Hellas as the factory ones, but the HID version.
These lamps are longer. I had to lengthen the complete front clip by 4 cm to avoid the wheels
touching the lamps.
Some kind of craziness is needed to do it.
Michael
How did you legalise them without the levelling system?I use HID lamps so should perform better.
I managed to get the car legalized without a levelling system. A cleaning system is installed (the holes in front of the lamps, will make covers before painting).
Despite the lamps the modification is cheap, just some GRP.
The amount of work is huge and to make it more difficult left and right wings are different.
The upper two lamps are the same Hellas as the factory ones, but the HID version.
These lamps are longer. I had to lengthen the complete front clip by 4 cm to avoid the wheels
touching the lamps.
Some kind of craziness is needed to do it.
Michael
The car was legalized by a specialist who is well versed in this and has good contacts to the TÜV an the involved administrations.
In Germany it is possible to get special permits if a car or car part does not meet the current regulations (of course after examination) to legalize the car. As far as I know most special cars including German ones use this way.
I think they accepted my argumentation that if the lamps were adjusted accurate (tanks full, driver in the car)there is no situation the headlight range can increase, thus no blinding of other drivers possible.
As you cannot add weight to the rear and the rear springs are stiffer than the front ones the headlight range only can decrease while the tanks get empty or a passenger enters the car.
And as the car is sprung stiff a levelling system would hardly be able to follow the small and quick variations in front height.
I would have installed a levelling system but due to the space problems in the wheel arches this is a huge challenge.
So I tried without and luckily it worked.
Michael
In Germany it is possible to get special permits if a car or car part does not meet the current regulations (of course after examination) to legalize the car. As far as I know most special cars including German ones use this way.
I think they accepted my argumentation that if the lamps were adjusted accurate (tanks full, driver in the car)there is no situation the headlight range can increase, thus no blinding of other drivers possible.
As you cannot add weight to the rear and the rear springs are stiffer than the front ones the headlight range only can decrease while the tanks get empty or a passenger enters the car.
And as the car is sprung stiff a levelling system would hardly be able to follow the small and quick variations in front height.
I would have installed a levelling system but due to the space problems in the wheel arches this is a huge challenge.
So I tried without and luckily it worked.
Michael
As far as I know only a static automatic levelling system is mandatory, that means adjustements are only made when the car does not move.
Dynamic systems permanently adjust the headlight range.
The systems I know only measure the variations in ground clearance by mechanically linked axle sensors or ultrasonic sensors.
Michael
Dynamic systems permanently adjust the headlight range.
The systems I know only measure the variations in ground clearance by mechanically linked axle sensors or ultrasonic sensors.
Michael
Michael,
Can I ask what the overall width and height of that light package is in the photo's above?
Also, what are those black 'U' shaped items coming out at right angles to the outer lamps?
Did you make up those alloy brackets or is there a supplier of same?
Sorry for all the questions but I need to know
Thanks.
Phil
Can I ask what the overall width and height of that light package is in the photo's above?
Also, what are those black 'U' shaped items coming out at right angles to the outer lamps?
Did you make up those alloy brackets or is there a supplier of same?
Sorry for all the questions but I need to know
Thanks.
Phil
Phil,
I made the brackets myself. Can give you the dimension if you are interested.
If I remember right there are steel brackets available from Hella.
The lamp cluster can be removed from the car without the need for readjustment.
The tubes are vent tubes.
The inner longer lamp is the low beam.
The lamps diameter is 90 mm, same as the Ultima units.
Don´t forget you need space for the HID controllers, I placed them left and right of the fog lamp.
Will make some measures this evening.
Michael
I made the brackets myself. Can give you the dimension if you are interested.
If I remember right there are steel brackets available from Hella.
The lamp cluster can be removed from the car without the need for readjustment.
The tubes are vent tubes.
The inner longer lamp is the low beam.
The lamps diameter is 90 mm, same as the Ultima units.
Don´t forget you need space for the HID controllers, I placed them left and right of the fog lamp.
Will make some measures this evening.
Michael
Gassing Station | Ultima | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff