Re:[alfa] Headlight Upgrades

["Dean W. Cains" <dwc@xxxxxx>]

Hi Steve:

While some US DOT-approved lights are better than others, none will 
outperform an E-code European headlight.  It's not just the light output 
that matters, and beam pattern is much more critical to good 
performance.  There are several readily-available brands to choose from; 
Cibie, Hella, Carello, and Bosch come to mind.  But even those brands sell 
some US DOT-approved lights that should be avoided.  Always choose a Euro 
market light that is "approved in the US for off-road use only".  That's 
not a bad thing, for as you'll discover, Euro lights have a razor-sharp 
cutoff on the top edge of the low-beam, which avoids blinding oncoming 
drivers.  The silly US DOT code specifies a good amount of light scatter up 
high, presumably to illuminate overhead highway signs, but it also plays 
havoc with other drivers.

I've owned them all and my preference are the Bosch H4's.  Second choice 
are the Cibie, with the Hella a close third.  I've got Hella on the '74 
Spider and Bosch on the '87, and the Bosch high beams project a broader 
spread of light, while the low beams are very similar.  Here's a good 
source for the Bosch lights:

http://www.busdepot.com/busdepot/details.jsp?partnumber=0301600118

Can anyone guess why the price from a VW parts vendor is so much cheaper 
than the prices from BMW or Porsche parts vendors?  Bulbs aren't included 
and you're free to choose the H4 you prefer, but without upgrading the 
electrics on your Spider, a 55/60W would be the correct choice.

Biba, a fellow Digester, is a Cibie dealer, so you might want to check his 
site also:

http://www.alfacybersite.com/ACSCibhl.html

If you'd like to learn more about the subject, go to:

http://lighting.mbz.org/

If you're looking for the all-time best 7" headlamps ever made, search for 
a set of Marchal Amplilux.  They've gotten so rare and valuable that I'm 
afraid to mount the NOS set I have on either of the Spider's, but I know a 
few Euro suppliers for used or refurbished units at ~$400/pair.

Regards,

Dean
Lutz, FL
'74 & 87 Spider Veloce's


At 03:28 PM 12/22/2003, you wrote:

> Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2003 21:24:57 -0800 (PST)
> From: Steve & Zita Waclo <z_waclo@domain.elided>
> Subject: [alfa] Headlight Upgrades
>
> Hello Tom:
>
> I share your concerns about inadequate lighting.
> Headlights on my GT6+ had a three position switch:
> Dim, Off and Intermittant (hope I didn't steal that
> joke from this Group).
>
> Anyway, I started my upgrade efforts with a PIA
> replacement bulb for my Honda Nighthawk. The results
> were night and day. It's so awesome to overtake
> another vehicle with their yellow puddle of halogen
> and then go to high beam with the PIA and see
> reflectors light up half a mile away. Unfortunately,
> the PIA was somewhat over $50 for one (!) so when I
> started looking for sealed beams for my '87 Toyota
> 4x4, I went with the Sylvania Silverstar. They were
> $29.95 at Kragen Auto and are every bit the equal of
> PIA. I subsequently replaced the four bulbs in our '97
> Accord with marvelous results, and better yet, the
> SS's are currently on sale at Kragen for $19.99. Next
> step is sealed beams for the Spider QV, soon as I get
> the electrics sorted (thanks Group!).
>
> This sounds like an endorsement and I guess it is.
> Check out the Sylvania website. These lamps have a
> color temperature (brightness) that is nearly
> equivalent to HID systems and the first one I bought
> has 10k miles of motorcycle use so far. Did I mention
> they are "plug and play"?
>
> Steve Waclo
> Carson City, NV
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