LED headlight upgrade for Eurospec '85 QV | FerrariChat

LED headlight upgrade for Eurospec '85 QV

Discussion in '308/328' started by damntall, Oct 4, 2021.

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  1. damntall

    damntall Karting

    Jun 15, 2018
    85
    San Jose, CA
    Full Name:
    Bryan Wright
    Hi folks,

    I've been reading about this topic in the many threads posted here on it, and I just need clarification, as I'm not sure I'm reading it right:

    It sounds to me like on an '85 Eurospec QV, the headlamps are replaceable bulbs that use H4/9003, while on the US cars, they remain sealed beam halogen only, and must be completely replaced. Is this correct?
     
  2. GordonC

    GordonC F1 Rookie
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 28, 2005
    4,163
    Calgary, AB, Canada
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    Gordon
    As the cars left the factory 36 years ago, that is correct ;) What is actually in the headlamp housing depends on what owners have done in the interim - many US cars will have been upgraded with Hella, Bosch, Cibie H4 housings and replaceable bulbs, and in the last 6 or so years LED replacement units (or LED bulbs in the H4 housings) have started to appear.
     
  3. JCR

    JCR F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Mar 14, 2005
    10,908
    H-Town, Tejas
    MFlanagan likes this.
  4. TommyA

    TommyA Formula Junior

    Oct 7, 2002
    549
    Atlanta
    Full Name:
    Tommy A
    JCR not sure if you have done this conversion to your car, but most of the LED light assembly's will not fit the 308. They area on the back of the light that has the cooling fins is very large and will not fit the light holder ring. Even if you manage to get it through the holder the adjusting mechanism will not work. The light is binding. Ask me how I know.. ;)
     
  5. JCR

    JCR F1 World Champ
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    Mar 14, 2005
    10,908
    H-Town, Tejas
    Interesting that LED don't fit the 308. They are bolt in for the those who restomod muscle car era cars and they fit 911s with the sugar scoops. Of course after installation they should properly aimed.
     
  6. GordonC

    GordonC F1 Rookie
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    Aug 28, 2005
    4,163
    Calgary, AB, Canada
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    Gordon
    TommyA, you're referring to placing an LED H4 bulb replacement in a standard H4 housing - yes, many if not most have a large element behind the light housing that can cause physical interference.

    The LED unit like the Truck-lite 27270C is different - it's a properly designed, integrated unit for the LEDs that is no larger than a regular H4 Cibie etc housing, and is designed specifically for the LED output - it provides a sharp, even cutoff on low beams that is as good as the best H4 halogen units. I was an early adopter of the Truck-lite 27270C to my 308 back in 2014, documented in this thread:
    Installed Truck-lite 27270C 7" LED headlights

    There are several other threads reviewing these, a search for "27270c" in this section will find them. Highly recommended upgrade over even the best H4 halogen units by me and others.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    Low beams

    [​IMG]
    High beams
    [​IMG]
     
  7. vaccarella

    vaccarella Formula 3

    Apr 16, 2011
    2,291
    Full Name:
    Paul
    The Trucklites don't seem to have the parking bulb. My (308 GTS 78) lamps have the usual H4 and two spade terminals that feed a parking light bulb sitting in the reflector. This lights up by flicking the light stalk down (main beam goes off). Is there an LED installation that follows the switching and harness in this case?
     
  8. thorn

    thorn F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Aug 7, 2012
    3,324
    Tallahassee, FL
    Had the Trucklite LED headlights...hated them. YMMV.
     
  9. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ
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    Feb 24, 2006
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    Banzairacer, Du_Man and Jakuzzi like this.
  10. Ferraridoc

    Ferraridoc F1 World Champ
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    Jun 20, 2012
    17,218
    Gold Coast, Aust.
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    Patrick
    Yep. I put in HID's a while back, when LED technology wasn't up to it. The only problem is they're so bright, it's hard get a good focus out of them. I might re-visit LED in search of a sharper low beam cut-off and a more focussed high beam.
     
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  11. EP328

    EP328 Formula Junior
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    Sep 3, 2008
    622
    Northern California
    Full Name:
    Ed
    Put Trucklite LEDs in my 328 couple of years ago. Pleased with their performance.
     
  12. Jonny Law

    Jonny Law F1 Rookie
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    May 6, 2008
    3,203
    Over yonder.
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    IT Guy
    Does anyone make a LED light that will shine both white and yellow? Would be useful to have a fog light/headlight.
     
  13. RodC328gts

    RodC328gts Formula Junior

    Aug 17, 2021
    458
    Mexico
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    Rod C
    Why? Otherwise your comment is not very helpfull.
     
  14. thorn

    thorn F1 Rookie
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    Aug 7, 2012
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    I found the illumination pattern pretty bad. Bright lights, but not useful light. Not really focused into the driving path, and a weird "break line" in the falloff.

    Much prefer regular Sylvania H4 bulbs.
     
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  15. vaccarella

    vaccarella Formula 3

    Apr 16, 2011
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    Paul
    I think I found something here in the UK that retains the sidelight / parking light. I'll investigate further, maybe buy a pair and report back.
     
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  16. rjlloyd

    rjlloyd Formula Junior

    Jun 19, 2014
    447
    Brisbane, Australia
    Full Name:
    Richard Lloyd
  17. DAC

    DAC Formula Junior
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    Apr 20, 2008
    256
    Regina Canada
    This is a good video to watch about head lights
     
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  18. RodC328gts

    RodC328gts Formula Junior

    Aug 17, 2021
    458
    Mexico
    Full Name:
    Rod C
    do these things fit the 328 ?
     
  19. 308 milano

    308 milano F1 Veteran

    Jan 15, 2007
    5,326
    Montana
    Full Name:
    Kim
    As much as this new lamp protrudes forward, I would be very surprised if you didn’t damage bodywork the first time you lowered your lights. On top of that the styling looks god awful compared to the aesthetics of the 308.
     
  20. RodC328gts

    RodC328gts Formula Junior

    Aug 17, 2021
    458
    Mexico
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    Rod C
    I agree
     
  21. Banzairacer

    Banzairacer Formula Junior
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    Aug 24, 2017
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    Sanjeev Thohan
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  22. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ
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    Feb 24, 2006
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    Mike
    Thanks! It really is so nice to drive at night with the HID
     
  23. DAC

    DAC Formula Junior
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    Apr 20, 2008
    256
    Regina Canada


    sorry guys that was the wrong video, try this one.
     
  24. DAC

    DAC Formula Junior
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    Apr 20, 2008
    256
    Regina Canada
    No, I don't think they will fit.
     
  25. DAC

    DAC Formula Junior
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    Apr 20, 2008
    256
    Regina Canada
    I agree, those aren't the lights for a 3x8 series. wrong look.
     

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