Headlight? Hella/Cibie H4 Conversion?

[98sr20ve]

I have been researching this headlight situation today. My left bulb (low beam only) just went out and I need to replace is ASAP. "Old S13" has posted a lot of stuff but it seems that some of the items are no longer available from him. I don't want HID (too much money) I just want simple, good lights. Stock sucks and I was horrified to learn they are only 35watts and don't even run thru a relay. Talk about old school. From all the research “Old S13” gave this site that sells Cibie H4 lights.

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/

Its listed as a

200mm x 142mm (75/8" x 5.5") H4 high/low beam: $57/ea.
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/products/products.html

I have been unable to find the Hella equivelent of this product. I also figure I need a wiring harness and I would get the RIK 2 listed on the same page. I looked into the www.clearcorners.com site but they dont seem to have that light any longer (says NA next to the Hella option). I just want to be sure I am not ordering the wrong stuff or missing a better deal on a equivalent product.

Steve

[old_s13]

The OEM headlamps are 55/60 (low/high) and do not use (or need) a relay. They could USE a relay, but do not NEED a relay. While a relay would increase the performance of the OEM lighting, it would also increase production costs.. this is why they do not come factory for most vehicles.

- Mike / ClearCorners.Com

[derux]

I have the cibie H4 set up on one of my cars and i like them better then the hella H4 lights. They have a cleaner pattern.

just my 2 cent

[BoroBoroS13]

I have the Hella H4 which I got from PDM Racing and they are cool but they arnt all that great. I still have trouble seeing at night sometimes and I wish they were brighter. No where close to my Infiniti G20's H4's... I havent adj them though and that might be adding to the problem.

[98sr20ve]

The OEM headlamps are 55/60 (low/high) and do not use (or need) a relay. They could USE a relay, but do not NEED a relay. While a relay would increase the performance of the OEM lighting, it would also increase production costs.. this is why they do not come factory for most vehicles.

- Mike / ClearCorners.Com

I could swear I hear the click of a relay on my 98 Sentra when I turn the lights on.

Would just running the OEM lights off a relay improve performance enough to make it worth the trouble? Kinda a stupid question because all the OEM replacement lights seem to be crappy anyway. I am not excited about spending 100+ on what is basically a good stock type setup for my 92 Nissan. My wifes 2001 Passat has good lights stock. That level of performance would be good enough for me really.

[uiuc240]

While a relay would increase the performance of the OEM lighting, it would also increase production costs.. - Mike / ClearCorners.Com

Mike,

How does a relay increase performance of a given circuit? Are you just saying that because most of the time, people use larger wire for the power feed on the relay? I know that the OEM wiring for the headlights is rather small (~16 gauge). I could see that performance would increase *if* you wired something like 10 gauge wire direct from the battery to the relay and then to the light. But if all you mean is that adding a relay into the stock wiring would improve performance...then I'm confused.

Wanna clarify?

Also, Boroboro...you need to adjust them. I have Don's H4 lights in my car and they are some of the best lights this side of HID. I see better in my S13 now that in ANY other Halogen-lit car I've ever driven. Just try driving ANY Honda for an example of terrible lighting...

Eric

[lilredstiffy]

Another option is the autopal housings, I picked them up at a local speed shop since the Hella's were a special order and they were a little cheaper. I'm pretty happy with them, another local guy has hella housings and the light out of the two very similar.

Either way you go definitely move to H4 housings

[old_s13]

boro> I still have trouble seeing at night sometimes and I wish they were brighter. No where close to my Infiniti G20's H4's... I havent adj them though and that might be adding to the problem.

You can have an HID light aimed incorrectly and still have horrible light output. It all comes down to proper installation.

98sr20ve> I could swear I hear the click of a relay on my 98 Sentra when I turn the lights on. Would just running the OEM lights off a relay improve performance enough to make it worth the trouble?

No relay for headlamps, 100% sure on that. If there was, I would be running my HID equipment off of the stock electrical circuit. My car is gutted and I've worked on numerous cars, the 240SX is not the only car -- many many cars do not use relays for headlights. Installing a relay is always an advantage that not only increases stock headlight performance, but also H4 headlights using higher wattage bulbs -- and can also be carried over to support HID equipment as well. Its NEVER a bad idea to install relays and good quality wiring. Its ALWAYS a bad idea NOT to.

uiuc> How does a relay increase performance of a given circuit?

You are correct with what you wrote. Relays improve performance because you run less wire AND because you run thicker gauge wiring. Also because the relay takes the abuse every time you activate your headlights. A relay is much more affordable than a combination switch to replace.

- Mike / ClearCorners.Com

[sticky240]

maybe i'm just being lazy (and trust me I am) but I think it would be a great benifit is old_s13 would do a "HOW TO: Setting up a relay for headlights" write-up

I myself have been thinking about this relay stuff ever since that thread last week. I went on Radio shaks web site and tried looking for stuff but i'm not sure what to look for. I havn't stepped foot in Radio Shack yet because I have too many things to do right now when I get home in the morning and when I wake up to goto work Radio Shack is closed.

What I mostly need is a quick rundown of the parts (umm, 12 or 10 gauge wire and Relays) like part numbers for the relays or which ones to use and such.

Ofcourse if it means you loosing business by doing it then don't but I just thought I would suggest it.

[old_s13]

Im already ahead of you guys. Since several people have asked, I will be selling an H4 ECE headlight kit that will also come with higher wattage bulbs and a very high quality weatherproof relay harness kit that will be 100% bolt-on.

Note: I am out of stock of the ECE headlamps, the last set was sold this weekend at the Shine Street event. I am also out of 80/100 bulbs too, the last 3 sets were sold last week. Re-order was placed today but the headlamps are on back-order until mid-March.

- Mike / ClearCorners.Com

ps: Its not about losing business, its about setting up customers with items that are quick and easy to install.

[THX1138]

Mike,

Would you consider selling just the relay harness for folks like me who already have H4 conversions?

[uiuc240]

Mike,

Would you consider selling just the relay harness for folks like me who already have H4 conversions?

I second that...*if* it's as clean and tidy as I expect from Mamos. I'd pay good money for that. :bigok:

Eric

[98sr20ve]

maybe i'm just being lazy (and trust me I am) but I think it would be a great benifit is old_s13 would do a "HOW TO: Setting up a relay for headlights" write-up


http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/relays/relays.html

Note: I am out of stock of the ECE headlamps, the last set was sold this weekend at the Shine Street event. I am also out of 80/100 bulbs too, the last 3 sets were sold last week. Re-order was placed today but the headlamps are on back-order until mid-March.

Well you can ignore my e-mail then. :doh: I didn't see this till after I tried to reach you. So it's mid march for all this stuff. :(

[JasonNagra]

Mike, you know I'm down for the relay and the higher watage bulbs. I love my Hellas as is, but a little better lighting never hurts!

[old_s13]

I have various components for the kit on order. I'll keep you all posted as to when the kit will be available. And yes, it will be made available separately.

- Mike

[SaintlyCharBoy]

mike, would you be willing to put something similar together for the 95/6 s14's?

i'm not sure about everyone else, but i am extremely unhappy with the stock lighting of my s14

i've been looking at the hella 90mm component systems, but am unsure of the wiring necessary, frankly i'm a bit afraid of doing more harm than good. any advice you can offer would be appreciated, as you are the designated forum lighting wizard.

[mike13]

old_s13
i find it ironic that you spend more time posting on the board than you do responding to emails from serious customers.

[mike13]

mike, would you be willing to put something similar together for the 95/6 s14's?

i'm not sure about everyone else, but i am extremely unhappy with the stock lighting of my s14

i've been looking at the hella 90mm component systems, but am unsure of the wiring necessary, frankly i'm a bit afraid of doing more harm than good. any advice you can offer would be appreciated, as you are the designated forum lighting wizard.
i have a 96 se, and my high beams are really bright. Im happy with their performance, maybe yours are out of adjustment.

[old_s13]

old_s13
i find it ironic that you spend more time posting on the board than you do responding to emails from serious customers.

Not really, being apart of the 240SX community and reading up on the forums has always been one of my favorite past times and at the same time, is usually also work related.

Why are you concerned with what I am doing with my spare time?

[KSee777]

Just try driving ANY Honda for an example of terrible lighting...

Aww... now why did say that? I drive a 98 Civic and the headlight are really bright.

[old_s13]

man you still didnt fix your body kit? ;)

[uiuc240]

Aww... now why did say that? I drive a 98 Civic and the headlight are really bright.

have you driven any accord or prelude or integra? lame. i guess i shouldn't have lumped them ALL together. but i know my roommate's EG Civic lighting was lame too.

Eric

[nightwalker]

I have a 92 integra with one piece headlights, those are nice, and it's the goal I've been going after as far as lighting. The US lights and Japanese lights on that year integra are a day and night difference. If you own one, you know what I mean.

What I really wanted to say was, that I saw an APC h4 relay kit at Kragen. I was kind of shocked, and looked at it. It says made in Taiwan all over it, with what looks like APC logos plastered on as an afterthought. (priced $49.99) Then I just saw the link for the relay kit, and now I reallized I can make my own kit with quality cables for so much cheaper. (It's good to know stereo installers) But if Old_S13 comes out with a super quality kit fast enough, I might be interested as well. I'm lazy like that.

[old_s13]

I have a 92 integra with one piece headlights, those are nice, and it's the goal I've been going after as far as lighting.

The DA has some pretty poopy headlights as well. The newer DC2 has better headlights and are projectors.

- Mike