improving crap headlights

[jesfirth]

I have the obligatory rubbish glow from the dipped beam lights (full beam driving lights are ok)and have cleaned the inside of the covers etc and want to upgrade the lamps (not the fittings) what is the best lamp in terms of output that i can use.

thanks jes

[Barreti]

HID

Simple to fit, I could do it in a couple of hours max.

Puts on flak jacket

[K4TRV]

jesfirth said:

I have the obligatory rubbish glow from the dipped beam lights (full beam driving lights are ok)and have cleaned the inside of the covers etc and want to upgrade the lamps (not the fittings) what is the best lamp in terms of output that i can use.

thanks jes

Hi Jez,

So long as you understand the potential limitations, here's some options for you to consider:

HID - New MOT regs may well stifle DIY improvements, but excellent results - OK with a friendly MOT Tester?
Higher wattage bulb - can damage/melt headlamp wiring from incorrect xsection of wire rated for 55 watts not 110 watts (10 amps ver 20 amps) -See Mod-Wise (D Beer, below)
Better wiring (recommended), hence brighter lamps? - Try David Beer, also for Phillips bulbs - http://www.djbeer.hostingbt.com/id28.html
Higher output bulbs - Phillips Xenon & Ring - http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/H4-Ring-XENON-Ult...
New reflectors - hard to come by now?

My advice would be Modwise and brighter 55w bulbs.

Rgds & see you Sat at Stav.

Trev

[dnb]

HIDs work, I have a set that I would part with for a very small number of beer tokens. But the MOT regs may well make them pointless.

I have changed mine to new shiny 7" H4 lamps, and this is much better than the old yellowing 5.75" lamps I had.

[GasDoc]

Trevor, thanks for all that information. Does the modwise kit have to be used with the brighter 55 watt bulbs to prevent wiring melting, are you recommending the modwise if using higher wattage bulbs?

Rob

[5.0ltr]

Our friends at Sportmotive do this set up.
http://www.sportmotive.com/partsales/headlamp.html

[K4TRV]

GasDoc said:

Trevor, thanks for all that information. Does the modwise kit have to be used with the brighter 55 watt bulbs to prevent wiring melting, are you recommending the modwise if using higher wattage bulbs?

Rob

First I would not recommend anyone to use higher wattage bulbs; legality; wiring (voltage drops) & additional heat produced, for not a great increase in output!!

Second, the Modwise wiring will improve (less voltage drop) output of standard wattage bulbs, therefore, with "brighter" 55w bulbs you will see quite a difference - maybe not like HID, but an improvement in output and reliability from the wiring.

HTH?

Trev
ETA Spalling!!

[Hedgehopper]

The brighter lights kit does make an improvement.....but they are still crap.

The only legal way to go is 7", or stay indoor at night!

[jesfirth]

gents - thanks for the input- have ordered HID kit - will see what effect it has

[red griff roger]

I upgraded to HID (Central TVR fitted them). They passed the MOT last year, but the lord only knows how. The light splash was fantastic, but it covered tree tops too. I am getting them re-aligned for the MOT this year (due in a few weeks). Will let you know how it goes.

[blitzracing]

This is the big problem with HID. The original lamp reflectors are curved to focus the forward light from a specific point, ie a white hot bit of wire that is very specific size and location in the standard bulb. The HID bulb has no filament so the light is produced over a much larger area in the ionized gas, so outside the designed focal point. This is why the light scatter is worse, and the beam shape poorer. You just make up for this with more overall light, but at the detriment of on coming motorists.

[Ant.]

7" upgrade is probably the easiest and most complimentary light upgrade for the Griffith.

Apart from the improvement in light output, the increase in diameter fills the pod out and in a way updates the front end of the Griff.



Yes, it improves the front end appearance of a Griff, unbelievable I know !

[Podie]

Based on experience, see what voltage is actually getting to the lamps!

[Doc Toad]

I do like the look of the Sportmotive upgrade - I know its been mentioned on a few threads before, but is it really a DIY job?

Presumably I'd be taking a hacksaw to my P&J in order to remove the old pods?

Sportmotives price for fitting and painting looks reasonable, but I'm in Cumbria and they are in Staffordshire - my lack of willpower when driving the Griff means I'd be spending half as much again on fuel to get there and back

[Ant.]

Doc Toad said:

I do like the look of the Sportmotive upgrade - I know its been mentioned on a few threads before, but is it really a DIY job?

Presumably I'd be taking a hacksaw to my P&J in order to remove the old pods?

Sportmotives price for fitting and painting looks reasonable, but I'm in Cumbria and they are in Staffordshire - my lack of willpower when driving the Griff means I'd be spending half as much again on fuel to get there and back

Yes it is a diy'able job.
The worst part is removing your old pods,in that you have to blade through the old seal.

[RichB]

5.0ltr said:

Our friends at Sportmotive do this set up.
http://www.sportmotive.com/partsales/headlamp.html

Is it exclusivly Sprtmotive that do this conversion? Anyone in the south?

[GasDoc]

Ant. said:

7" upgrade is probably the easiest and most complimentary light upgrade for the Griffith.

Apart from the improvement in light output, the increase in diameter fills the pod out and in a way updates the front end of the Griff.



Yes, it improves the front end appearance of a Griff, unbelievable I know !

How does making the lights slightly bigger update and improve the front end appearance of the Griff? I can't quite get my head round this. When I've seen before and after shots, they essential look the same.

[V8 GRF]

GasDoc said:

Ant. said:

7" upgrade is probably the easiest and most complimentary light upgrade for the Griffith.

Apart from the improvement in light output, the increase in diameter fills the pod out and in a way updates the front end of the Griff.



Yes, it improves the front end appearance of a Griff, unbelievable I know !

How does making the lights slightly bigger update and improve the front end appearance of the Griff? I can't quite get my head round this. When I've seen before and after shots, they essential look the same.

IMO and obviously other peoples, the 5" lights look a little 'lost' in the pods whereas the 7" completely fill the pods and as a result they look more 'right'.

It's difficult to describe but if you see them together you know what we mean.

Beaver Barrans has a photo of his Griffith in mid conversion which will show what I mean.

[SSPPGG]

the bowls which contain the lights are a slightly different shape, to accomodate the bigger lens of the lamp.

obvious when side by side, but not so different as to shout

keeps the original curve of the plexiglass,

re DIY, ok, but the pods do need painting of course.
I plan this upgrade when the front of my car is painted, but in the meantime, HID have hugely improved things, cheap as chips and only took an hour to fit both sides

[RichB]

GasDoc said:

How does making the lights slightly bigger update and improve the front end appearance of the Griff?

Appearances are a personal preference but from a lighting point of view don't forget the H4 means the bulb has filaments for both dip and main in one bulb, meaning your existing main beam units become auxiliary driving lights so you do get additional lighting power.