993 headlights

[ginger toss]

Has anyone done anything to upgrade the dipped/main beam on their 993?
Only had mine a month and it is the only thing that lets the car down.

[mikial]

There was an article in the July 2003 edition of 911 and Porsche World dealing with this. Try this link,www.h-i-d.co.uk


>> Edited by mikial on Monday 3rd November 15:58

[david hype]

I was a bit like you, in that, I was very dissapointed with the quality of the dipped beam for normal driving.

I fitted a pair of Bosch Blue 448 (Premium Auto Bulb)claimed to be 20 percent brighter (I`m £30 lighter)

However, I must say that the jury is still out on these! Frankly, I cant tell any difference at all, except when I pull up in front of my white garage doors there is a pinkish/orange tint to the top of the arc of the lighting beam...

Whoopy Doo!

[dazren]

MauriceC2S has got modded lights. He explained everything to a few of us at the PCGB Eynsham Hall meet. However my brain experienced information overload at some point of the day. I think it was when the chap on the Gantspeed stand lifted the engine cover off the 959 for me and proceeded to start talking 959s for 15 minutes whilst I stood there drooling.

DAZ

>> Edited by dazren on Monday 3rd November 17:04

[MauriceC2S]

Headlights !! Probably the biggest failing with the 993, high beam is absolutely pathetic, and will vary from car to car as the bulb mounts into PLASTIC, and the clips are rubbish, although upgraded ones are available from OPCs for a few quid (rant mode off).

Dipped beam is a decent projector design, which will yield improvements via a good clean (see p-car.com), PIAA / Phillips bulbs. Many have fitted HID upgrades using kits from AutoLamps-Online and others. A-O kit was the subject of a Rennlist group buy @ around £380, couple of hours to fit, using a bulb modified to an H1 mount. Most users v happy.

I'm still trying to improve hi beam either by flipping the dip beam visor out of the way or grafting something else into that bit, and have bought spare headlamps to see what can be done, but in the meantime have fitted some Hella driving lamps which help greatly. 9M is advertising various kits too, perhaps he will chime in, but these are listed as H4 mount, so not a drop in to a 993.

Apart from the plastic mounts in high beam, the reflector design catches only around 25-30% of available bulb output, so bulb upgrades yield VERY little - ask me how I know.... The fogs are decent projectors and worth a clean and upgrade.

HTH, cheers, Maurice

[david hype]

Maurice, I have the Porsche "Active Cooling System" air intakes with the integral side lights, replacing the driving lights on my 993 C2 Coupe.

These little lights are really pathetic (a yellow tint against even standard headlamps) do you know if there is anything avaiable to replace the light element in these?

Without resorting to fitting the standard driving lights!

[MauriceC2S]

David, I thought these were just that, sidelights. I think some people have found uprated bulbs, but they won't help you see the badgers!

FVD and others do brake ducts with integrated driving lamps, but I've never heard a report on them. These are supposed to be Turbo S ones (don't think they're OEM tho ??)
http://p-car.com/diy/coolingduct/
and have a projector design (by the 8th pic, anyway)

Cheers, Maurice

[david hype]

Thanks Maurice, I`ll take a look see, but I would doubt if they will ever be more than just a side light.

I think that "function followed form" on this one, getting the brake cooling done first at the expence of the poor old Badgers!