LED headlamps

I have HID on my QV but I don't call it a mod, instead I call it an upgrade. I don't know if that makes any difference but it sure is bright.

 

I want a 328. I do not want a 430. I also want to be able to see at night, and the stock bulbs are simply unsafe in today's environment.

So the consensus here is still the Truck-Lite for ease of install and light output?

 

LEDs, H4 halogen, trucklites.... whatever works for you BUT I still don't get why anyone would remove the Carello (or Cibie after 1982) lamp units. They are what they bolted on the car at factory and they should stay on in my opinion. Putting a pair of H4 equivalent LEds seems perfectly sensible simply to put less strain on the switch, fuse board and wires. In another 20 years time someone will be disappointed the OE lamps are not fitted to the car.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

This is my thought too. I don't like doing irreversible mods, but this is a simple swap and the car can be brought back to it's original state with no expense and very little time. I think the tires analogy is on point. Same kind of thing to me.

 

Why? Because headlights are consumables, like tires, spark plugs, turn signal bulbs, oil filters, oil. You change them when they require changing or when they stop working. You don't keep the original spark plugs just because they were bolted on at the factory.

If you're a stickler for originality, you keep the OEM headlights in a box, and fit reduced current draw LED headlights that give both much brighter, better light on the road, and reduced current through your OEM fusebox that is marginal at best anyway. When you go to a concours judging or want to sell the car, you can fit the original headlights back again.

 

Truck-Lite is good. JW Speaker are even better. Find the ECE version and beware of Chicom copycats. 7" LED Headlights - Model 8700 Evolution 2

 

US cars did not come with those. They came with really crappy US DoT sealed units. They may have been bolted in at the factory but mine went in the bin years ago to be replaced with Cibie units.

 

I agree it would be very nice to see LED lamps @ 2700K which would be about the colour temperature of the stock lamps. This could easily be done technically, without harming LED's high light output at all (lumens is a different measure). But people perceive high colour temps to be brighter (not true).

 

Anyone with a screwdriver and a half hour to spare can put it back.

 

Agreed, I forgot to mention that my HID lights are Plug and Play.

 

Looks like you guys covered all the angles.
I just ordered some and will keep my old lights in a box on the top shelf for the next guy after I'm dead.

 

I forgot you in the U.S. have those stupid sealed lights. Here a good way to increase the light output from your old and tired OE front lights is to redo the reflector silver plating: You can keep the car originality and have the full light the car had when new

Ciao

 

Mine (HID) was because the reflectors were corroded, so I needed to replace them anyway. Just a small plug and play resto-mod. I've kept them (and the Cibie Airport 35s, which were also buggered) in a box for the next guy to spend a fortune on restoring. The Cibies are now 100W spots on a separate relay - still flash to pass, but also able to be overridden with a switch in the ashtray. They'll be LED soon.

 

Just thinking about these again; I might invest in a pair before planning a trip later in the year with some overnight stops. But how adjustable are they? In the UK, we need low beams that point the other way. You used to be able to get LHD lamps past the MoT tests here with just a piece of tape to adjust the beam, but that is no longer allowed.

 

Have you used these LEDs for the fog lights? How well do they work?

 

Finally got around to taking a pic of the new LED headlights. No logos on the lights which was a criteria in selection. Used the Truck Light Base 7 for $326 delivered on eBay.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Nice! What's the beam like?

 

You know I haven't even tested that yet. The joke is that I'll probably never drive that car at night but I like everything to work just in case...

 

Does the Porsche have the high beams turned on?

 

No. Low beams. Look brighter due to a more direct angle (but probably are brighter anyway because they are probably 10x the cost and have better optics.

 

close-up
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Thanks

 

I think these look good!

 

Dave, I agonized about changing the look of the car with these lights but in terms of the way they look they are the least obtrusive of the brands I considered with a very simple split lens design and no logo. I also don't miss the old yellow sealed beams and the much higher electrical current demand they put on the wiring and alternator.

One last pic and I'm done ; - )
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

No offense, really not my cup of tea with that "sleepy" half-open look...