Upgrading lights 1990 944

Patch234 · Mar 21, 2015

Hi all,

I am looking for some advice as I want to upgrade all the lights (exterior) with LED substitutes. Looking at headlight, side light, fog and rear stop/brake and indicators.

Anyone done this with LED (I am talking Cree LED). If so, what did you buy and is there a real, noticeable difference?

Thanks in advance

MartinRS2K · Mar 21, 2015

I put HID headlights into my 964 (sane H4 bulb as the 944) and they are amazing.

These are the ones I got. I went for the 4300k bulbs

http://www.hidcity.co.uk/HID-H4-Bi-Xenon-Conversion-Kit-p/hid_xenon_h4_bi-xenon.htm

colin944 · Mar 21, 2015

I've got LED tail and stop bulbs on mine. I've always felt the tail lights are a bit dim compared to modern cars. I've been looking at HID and LED kits for the headlights and would be interested to see what works and what doesn't. I'm finding myself looking more at LED although I'm not sure the fans would remain muck free,and might jam and cause the death of the bulbs.

bmnelsc · Mar 21, 2015

ORIGINAL: colin944

I've got LED tail and stop bulbs on mine. I've always felt the tail lights are a bit dim compared to modern cars. I've been looking at HID and LED kits for the headlights and would be interested to see what works and what doesn't. I'm finding myself looking more at LED although I'm not sure the fans would remain muck free,and might jam and cause the death of the bulbs.

re the dim tail lights - is that before the LEDs or you find the replacement LED bulbs a bit dim compared to modern cars?

Patch234 · Mar 22, 2015

Thanks for the replies. Do we have a list of the fitment names for all the bulbs in a 944 hidden away anywhere in this site? Headlight H4 fitting great, but all the other bulbs?

I want to try and price this up and look around for what is available. If anyone does know please post and I will list the cost of replacements and a source for them in this thread.

If we also have a list of interior bulbs I will list suitable LED replacement types also.

ChasR · Mar 22, 2015

For the headlight bulbs I'd stick with Halogens. LEDs still are not that great a bulb in this application unless you are willing to spend a small fortune playing about with reflectors and in bulbs that actually illuminate stuff

. HIDs do work in the headlights but there is a question about legality and other road users can suffer from the glare produced by these. R rated bulbs (so in this case a H4R) can get around the issue to a degree, but when Osram Nightbreakers, relays and simply cleaning the lights can help matters...

When I made the lights brighter on my 944 I simply cleaned up the contact points for the rear lights. It made a world of difference. Don't forget that you will need to add a resistor in for the indicator bulb wiring due to the load of a stock bulb being gone (LEDs do not present a load on the circuit, or at least they do at a much much lower level), meaning that they will not work.

white944 · Mar 22, 2015

You can now purchase complete direct replacement 7 inch LED headlamp units, which work a lot better than simply shoving an LED array into a lamp that isn't designed for that kind of light source. They plug an play with the existing H4 wiring. Not cheap but becoming very popular amongst the 4x4 fraternity. Look at a few of the larger Land Rover and 4x4 accessory specialists. Might make an interesting conversion if they can be adapted to fit into the 944 pod..

For the more anal members..... A note on legality.... the same applies to LED headlamp conversions as HiD.

This one is made by Phillips...

Patch234 · Mar 22, 2015

Thanks guys. I believe that HIDs are only illegal if you do not have automatic headlight levellers ... which the 944 does not

ALZ 1933 · Mar 22, 2015

There is a guy who has fitted (and supplies) led headlamp conversion kits for 928s
http://woodypeck.com/?post_type=product

I think he's a member on here or tipec, might be worth having a chat with him to see if he's done a 944 yet & the improvement it may bring.

Patch234 · Mar 22, 2015

ORIGINAL: ALZ 1933

There is a guy who has fitted (and supplies) led headlamp conversion kits for 928s
http://woodypeck.com/?post_type=product

I think he's a member on here or tipec, might be worth having a chat with him to see if he's done a 944 yet & the improvement it may bring.

Sent a message, thanks

colin944 · Mar 22, 2015

ORIGINAL: bmnelsc

ORIGINAL: colin944

I've got LED tail and stop bulbs on mine. I've always felt the tail lights are a bit dim compared to modern cars. I've been looking at HID and LED kits for the headlights and would be interested to see what works and what doesn't. I'm finding myself looking more at LED although I'm not sure the fans would remain muck free,and might jam and cause the death of the bulbs.

Click to expand...

re the dim tail lights - is that before the LEDs or you find the replacement LED bulbs a bit dim compared to modern cars?

The LED's are fantastic. the original bulbs weren't dim as such it's just that modern cars have high level brake lights and much bigger tail stop lights etc. So putting LED's in there give you a much better chance of being seen and not getting rear ended.

bmnelsc · Mar 22, 2015

ORIGINAL: white944

You can now purchase complete direct replacement 7 inch LED headlamp units, which work a lot better than simply shoving an LED array into a lamp that isn't designed for that kind of light source. They plug an play with the existing H4 wiring. Not cheap but becoming very popular amongst the 4x4 fraternity. Look at a few of the larger Land Rover and 4x4 accessory specialists. Might make an interesting conversion if they can be adapted to fit into the 944 pod..

For the more anal members..... A note on legality.... the same applies to LED headlamp conversions as HiD.

This one is made by Phillips...

These are cool but they will not fit 944s which have the M605 adjustable headlight option. To use these you must change out the headlight mounting frame from the adjustable type (with motors and headlights with mounting tabs) to the 6xxx types which rely on protuberances built into the headlight body to position the headlight in the frame (axially). While I think the adjustable headlight option is cool in itself, I never use it and frankly, with the cost of the "special" headlight bodies required - I rather have the non adjustable option so I could use reproduction Cibies or stuff like these Philips units. You just have to be careful how you aim them...

As for legality - in western Canada - pickup trucks and large SUVs outnumber cars. Most of the time while driving at night we are blinded by big pickups whose headlights are level with your face when seated in your vehicle. Doesn't matter how those get aimed - they shine in your eyes - I don't know how those are legal for road use - actually they probably aren't but thats a different issue.

944 man · Mar 22, 2015

ORIGINAL: Patch234

Thanks guys. I believe that HIDs are only illegal if you do not have automatic headlight levellers ... which the 944 does not

The talk of self-levelling and lamp washers on the internet is mostly b*ll*cks. Even the DOT's own guidance is by their own admission an unqualified opinion and it contains elementary mistakes (there are cars homologated without lamp adjustment, for example).

ChasR · Mar 23, 2015

ORIGINAL: 944 man

ORIGINAL: Patch234

Thanks guys. I believe that HIDs are only illegal if you do not have automatic headlight levellers ... which the 944 does not

Click to expand...

The talk of self-levelling and lamp washers on the internet is mostly b*ll*cks. Even the DOT's own guidance is by their own admission an unqualified opinion and it contains elementary mistakes (there are cars homologated without lamp adjustment, for example).

We shall see what happens on Tuesday regarding this

. My daily has HIDs as standard but the washer jets are long gone (there are blank replacement panels in their place. I am quietly hoping no one notices although the covers do look quite factory

.

Patch234 · Mar 23, 2015

ORIGINAL: 944 man

ORIGINAL: Patch234

Thanks guys. I believe that HIDs are only illegal if you do not have automatic headlight levellers ... which the 944 does not

Click to expand...

The talk of everything on the internet is mostly b*ll*cks.

Fixed that for you

944 man · Mar 23, 2015

Wise words! [

]

Patch234 · Mar 23, 2015

For an update on this. I have had an email conversation with Steve (Woodypeck - as above). He is looking into the bulbs for me and will come back with a price for a set (front and some rear). So long as this is not crazy money, I will buy, fit, and post some pics of the process and results.

Will keep you informed....

Ewan · Mar 23, 2015

Look forward to a report back on price as well as performance, Phil. It's only a few bulbs - how expensive can it possibly be....?!

944Scott · Mar 23, 2015

What exactly is the adjustable headlight option?

Patch234 · Mar 23, 2015

ORIGINAL: Ewan

Look forward to a report back on price as well as performance, Phil. It's only a few bulbs - how expensive can it possibly be....?!

You remember how expensive HID's were when they first came out? As I say, I'll let you guys know when I do. I don't think they'll be expensive, but for a car I might drive 2000 miles a year in (mainly in the day) I'm not about to throw away hard earned....