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Posted by: Krieger Jul 7 2012, 09:51 AM

Yes I have done a search. The neo 914's hellas are about $700. I do not plan on driving this car at night and I have removed the factory headlight buckets . I would like some light to come on when I flip the switch so they appear legal.

Posted by: Borderline Jul 7 2012, 11:01 AM

I've been using my light wt driving lights to replace the standard headlights. It gets me to the autocross in the early morning hours and so far I haven't really needed them at night. FWIW

Posted by: Krieger Jul 7 2012, 11:09 AM

Thats good, but you still have the standard headlights if the police give you a hard time.

Posted by: kg6dxn Jul 7 2012, 11:52 AM

I used some cheap ebay driving lights to mock up mine. They worked so good, I kept them in.
Anything you do will be full custom. The key is having a parobolic lens. Many cheap ones have poor polishing and look spotty at night.

BTW, I drove in the SF Bay Area for years with only the stock driving lights. My pop ups were broken. Never got pulled over.

Not exactly in the turn signal. That route looks most difficult. These are Nissan 240sx, cut down and fiberglassed. The small round lens on the inside is the HID low beam. It would fit in the turn signal area. It would take some master metalwork to really look good "frenched". A clear/smoked flat plastic lens could be fabricated and this could sit on a bracket in the fender well.

Edit: The "halo" LED surround is actually the halogen lamp on the left, sectioned and applied to the driving light.

Posted by: Krieger Jul 7 2012, 12:02 PM

Thanks Mike. So Nissan 240 sx low beams will fit. Our turn buckets are 2 3/8" at their widest. I don't mind cutting.

Posted by: Krieger Jul 7 2012, 09:20 PM

I think I have something that will fit with minimal work... I think. PIAA 492 004XT Series Xtreme White Round Silver Driving Lamp. What do you guys think?


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Posted by: Krieger Jul 7 2012, 09:21 PM

Oh yea, new $127 on Amazon.

Posted by: Rand Jul 7 2012, 09:22 PM

If you just want something that looks like passable light in that space, go LED. Bright enough nowadays, no heat problems, and cheaper.
If you want REAL light, don't fuck with the turn signals. Larger lenses and reflectors make a million times more light.

Posted by: kg6dxn Jul 7 2012, 10:13 PM

http://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-55W-H3-Universal-Fit-Metal-Housing-Driving-Fog-Light-Projector-Glass-Lens-/330759252612?hash=item4d02c9aa84&item=330759252612&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr#ht_3914wt_1249

This is what I used...

Posted by: Krieger Jul 8 2012, 10:58 AM

Mike those will fit with some big cutting. They get a lot wider going back. The price they list does not include ballasts or bulbs. I still like the PIAA I found, but I am going to look at leds and see if I can get ones to fit. Iirc polycorbonate has a high melting point? Higher than H3s??? Thanks for your help Mike.

Posted by: kg6dxn Jul 8 2012, 01:02 PM

They come with H3 lamps. There is a guy in San Jose that sells HID kits cheap; Around $40 pair. Good quality and he's on Ebay. Just narrow the search to san jose to find him. These lights are all metal and glass. No plastic.

Posted by: Krieger Jul 9 2012, 12:38 PM

So this may be a dumb question. These Piaa lights are tinted blue. I know that I've seen cars on the road with blue lights. Will the fact that they are blue draw attention from law enforcement? During the day?

Posted by: mikey63 Jul 9 2012, 01:54 PM

I'd say that you would be safe running those lights especially in our area.

Mike

Posted by: Krieger Jul 9 2012, 04:46 PM

Hey Mike! Ha, legal in Sonoma county, but not CA?
Are you coming to the swap on Saturday?

Posted by: mikey63 Jul 10 2012, 09:58 AM

Hey Andy,
I'll be there!!

Posted by: Krieger Jul 10 2012, 06:12 PM

Cool Mike! I spoke with the PIAA guys today. The lenses on the lights pictured above are clear. The blueish bulb makes the lens appear blue in the photo.

Posted by: Krieger Jul 10 2012, 06:21 PM

oops double post

Posted by: Krieger Jul 17 2012, 08:49 PM

I got my light and trimmed the plastic housing on my belt sander. I also took off the mounting brackets.


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Posted by: Black22 Jul 17 2012, 08:51 PM

Where's the pic of the light IN the turn bucket?

Posted by: Krieger Jul 17 2012, 08:56 PM

I ground off 6 protrusions (they look like tits on new tires but of course they were metal) on the inside of the turn bucket so their was more room. Otherwise these lights fit snug in the turn buckets with no other grinding! I drilled a hole in the back of the buckets the same od as the hole in the back of the new lights. I am reusing the rubber grommet that I took off the new lights.


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Posted by: Krieger Jul 17 2012, 09:01 PM

I ground down the back side just enough so that it barely sticks out past the horizontal plane of the outside of the bucket. Yes flat lexan will be coming my way. They are snug in there.


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Posted by: Krieger Jul 17 2012, 09:18 PM

I was planning on running one of those yellow bulbs for a running/turn light. I was thinking for "headlight" adjustment another small hole on the bottom of the bucket directly below the new lights housing. One long screw coming in from outside the bucket housing and a couple of small screws on the "light" housing....or just point them where I want them (by hand with the lexan cover off) and squirt some seam sealer under the light to hold them. Probably good enough for a track car!


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Posted by: edwin Jul 18 2012, 08:31 AM

What do you plan to do for indicators? Still as normal?
I wouldn't want to intrude much into the space they occupy on a road car

Posted by: McMark Jul 18 2012, 10:38 AM

Cool! Looks like it's coming together.

Before you put a bunch of work into forming Lexan covers, I'd place a piece over the top and leave the light on for an hour or so to confirm that the heat production of the lamp doesn't damage the lexan. You may want to add some 'breather' holes on the top and bottom.

Posted by: jimsfolly Jul 18 2012, 12:57 PM

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LED-MINI-STALK-MOTORCYCLE-TURN-SIGNALS-BIKE-BLINKERS-AMBER-LIGHTS-CLEAR-LENS-SET-/251107268962?_trksid=p3284.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSI%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BUA%252BFICS%26otn%3D21%26pmod%3D380450609938%26ps%3D54

how about something like this for the turn signals? maybe remove/modify the housing to allow the lens to be jammed up near the top edge...

how are you going to shape the lexan? I've been looking into using a pair of 60mm Hella Hi/Lo projectors in the buckets, modifying the lift to halfway, but I'd rather go with the turn signal mounting location instead... keep us updated..

Posted by: Krieger Jul 18 2012, 07:01 PM

Thanks Mark. Its good to be almost done. I think I am going to stick with flat pieces of Lexan for now. That is some good advice to see if this stuff melts. I asked the techs at PIAA how hot these lights will be. Of course the bulb burns at something like 4000 kelvin. The best I could get from these guys is under 200* F. Most people mount them 1/2" below a plastic bumper with no issues. I plan on using the stock location for turn indicators, but with yellow bulbs. I was at Napa auto parts and I saw some that looked correct.

Posted by: euro911 Aug 2 2012, 01:00 PM

Any updates?

Posted by: Krieger Nov 29 2012, 08:23 PM

This has been done for a while. Buckets polished out and clear coated with a POR 15 Glisten PC clearcoat.


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Posted by: Krieger Nov 29 2012, 08:31 PM

The headlight is snug in there. If I wanted it to adjust I could drill a hole through both housings with a long screw from outside and two nuts on the lens assembly. NAPA autoparts orange bulb.


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Posted by: Krieger Nov 29 2012, 08:33 PM

Flat Lexan cover, cut on band saw. Belt and hand sanded for final shape. One of AA repro seal. It's a nice fit and reasonably priced, just like the repro rubber elbo for the backside.


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Posted by: Krieger Nov 29 2012, 08:41 PM

Oops double post.


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Posted by: Krieger Nov 29 2012, 08:44 PM

I used the rubber grommet from the PIAA lights on the back of the turn bucket. I glued the electric covers back on with 3M seam sealer.


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Posted by: Krieger Nov 29 2012, 08:45 PM

I put some of the original PIAA plastic tubing and plug back on the wire ends and wrapped it with silicon tape.


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Posted by: Krieger Nov 29 2012, 09:01 PM

The front!


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Posted by: Krieger Nov 29 2012, 09:02 PM

Look out!!


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Posted by: kg6dxn Nov 29 2012, 09:07 PM

Are the lights bolted or just wedged into the housing? A few miles down the road they may be pointing at the sky...

Posted by: Krieger Nov 29 2012, 09:18 PM

They couldn't go very far they would hit the outer cover. I do not plan on driving this at night.

Posted by: Rand Nov 29 2012, 09:24 PM

Wait, what?
Q. Are they bolted in or just wedged into the housing?
A. They couldn't go very far they would hit the outer cover. I do not plan on driving this at night.

I guess I missed the point. How are they mounted / adjusted?

Posted by: Krieger Nov 29 2012, 09:39 PM

You need lights to legally drive on the road. I meet that requirement. I mentioned in a previous post that with a little more work they could be made to adjust with a long thin screw through both housings and a nut on either side of the PIAA. I got tired of this project and it is enough for now and can be revisited later.

Posted by: Jeff Hail Nov 30 2012, 02:21 PM

Vent the lamp housing with a 1/16th inch hole at the lower rear of the bucket. It will keep the lexan lense from leaking and heat crazing.

Posted by: bandjoey Nov 30 2012, 03:31 PM

Cut off the handle and JB Weld. 1,000,000 candlepower gets the job done


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Posted by: euro911 Nov 30 2012, 04:38 PM

I love it.

Other than not having high beams, how does the illumination compare with the OEM head lights?



$128. with free shipping on Amazon

Posted by: Krieger Nov 30 2012, 07:29 PM

I haven't driven the car yet, but the lights seem to be brighter than the stock units.

Posted by: euro911 Nov 30 2012, 08:08 PM

Andy, did you have to cut out the headlight wells to allow the hood to fit?

Posted by: Krieger Nov 30 2012, 10:21 PM

I didn't have to, but I did. I think it would have fit over them without any problems.

Posted by: Dasnowman Dec 1 2012, 12:20 AM

Like your set up, I totaly know what you are doing it's probably a track or auto cross car that you drive to and from the track instead of trailing. And you want it look legit/legal to be on the street so you don't get pulled over and get a VI....


WHat are the specs on you build? engine, wheels, do you have a link to your build I like everything butwouldmaybe make that mesh black instead.

Posted by: euro911 Dec 1 2012, 01:36 AM

I've had this idea since the 914s first hit the market. I never did like the pop-up headlights (and still don't).

Andy's modified lights appear to sit at a height very close to the stock headlights. Since 914s are fairly scarce, and many cops today have no idea what a 914 is anyway, one with modified headlights and a hood that eliminates any evidence that there were pop-up headlights there previously, may not even raise an eyebrow

I was looking at some Yamaha R6 headlights a while back. They have both high and low beam bulbs and I believe they would fit the turn signal bucket with a little trimming on the R6's reflectors. They'd appear to be a little more 'legal' since they are DOT approved headlights.

The reason I asked if the original headlight wells were retained was just in case I was cited and would need to convert back to original lights.

I would also see if the clear (Italian) turn signal lenses could hold up to the heat ... as they look more 'stock' than flat lenses do

Posted by: Krieger Dec 1 2012, 09:28 AM

Dasnowman, you hit it on the head. Here is a link to my build:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=111531

Euro911, I do not think those Italian lenses are that clear. If you had to I bet you could make some brackets that clip to the front of the car to temporaily mount your headlight for inspection.

Posted by: Krieger Dec 1 2012, 09:44 AM

Yea I couldn't go back. Not easily anyway: No wiring or bucket assemblies.

Posted by: FourBlades Dec 1 2012, 10:12 AM

Looks good!

I have always liked your innovative ways of doing things.

Your car is looking great.

John

Posted by: Cap'n Krusty Dec 1 2012, 11:23 AM

Not to rain on your parade, but you do NOT meet that requirement. The law says you must have headlights that are DOT approved FOR USE AS HEADLIGHTS. Not just lights. They look great, BTW.

The Cap'n

Posted by: Krieger Dec 1 2012, 01:26 PM

What I am trying for is to appear to meet the requirement for my driving during daytime use only.

Posted by: euro911 Dec 1 2012, 02:08 PM

DOT or NOT, I think you'll be fine, since CA doesn't have vehicle inspections anymore.

Coincidentally, I recently saw a pic of a CHP vehicle inspection sticker on 914Eric's car. How many of you CA guys remember these




The only other suggestion I could make, would be to mask off and paint the back side of the lenses to cover the areas that expose the bucket, only allowing the bulbs to be visible

Posted by: McMark Dec 2 2012, 02:08 PM

Or sandblast the lexan to frost it. (besides where the headlight is)

Posted by: Krieger Dec 2 2012, 03:14 PM

I kinda like that idea. It'll have to wait though. I'm working on sway bar links and roof mounting brackets.

Posted by: euro911 Dec 3 2012, 04:28 PM

These are the lights I was thinking about stuffing into the turn signal buckets. They're from a 2003~2005 Yamaha R6.




I 'd rearrange them to mount vertically rather than horizontally

Posted by: matthepcat Dec 3 2012, 05:37 PM

I bet those motorcycle lights are too big.

Posted by: euro911 Dec 3 2012, 05:50 PM

I didn't have a set to measure, but they looked close. I'm sure they'd need to be trimmed down on the sides to fit the buckets

I'm looking for a cheap set to experiment with ...

Posted by: Cap'n Krusty Dec 3 2012, 06:09 PM

That's an emissions inspection label, IIRC. I used to issue them.

The Cap'n

Posted by: euro911 Dec 3 2012, 06:18 PM

I remember the CHP performing roadside inspections, where they'd check vehicles' lights, horn, muffler (excessive noise), ride height, etc.

Back in the days of just about everybody having CB radios in their cars, local folks would let us know where they were set up so we could avoid them

Posted by: Jeff Hail Dec 3 2012, 10:05 PM

Anything with Japanese motorcycle on it is going to be pricy even from a salvor.

These modules are used on almost every car out of europe (Porsche, BMW, VW, Benz etc) and many USA manufacturers. They are Bi-Xenon with the shutter (High and low -incorporated into one lamp). The bulb is on all the time and the shudder lowers like a partial iris for high beams.

The only difference between higher end cars that have the pan/ tilt option is a gimble that attaches to the lamp module which a lesser model usually does not have. I have removed the gimble from these.

As you can see from the standard computer mouse they are very compact units. They are deeper than standard 55w halogen type lamps (fog, driving). The ballasts are 12 volts/ 35 watts in. Two 12 volt wires on the solenoid activate the high beam shutter.

The 2012 Chysler 200 uses the same exact lamp module with the shutter except it's not Xenon, its a regular H type bulb. More juice to suck but they are great lamps.

There are lot of production bodyshops that are a good source of these. Bodyshops usually just throw them away. If the inner lamp module isnt damaged strip the parts down from the outer lens assembly and you get these modules to play with.

The manufacturers to look for are ZKW (Belgium) Valeo (Austria) Koito-Denso (Japan)


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Posted by: Jeff Hail Dec 3 2012, 10:08 PM

If you want really sub-micro find a set of these Hellas. Tiny and DOT legal.




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Posted by: Jeff Hail Dec 3 2012, 10:56 PM

Variety is the spice of life. How about factory Original Equipment Porsche lamps? LED DRL's/ Turn sigs in the original location. I swear those were made for the 914. The curvature is perfect. Suckers are bright as hell......Only 5w on turn and 9w as DRL's..... Wicked!!! A little bezel or lens fab and good to go.

I gotta run. My dog Goliath just pee'd. Aaargh! Little guy couldnt hold it. Got all excited over lamps.


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Posted by: 914340 Dec 4 2012, 12:36 AM

Good morning, I like the Porsche LED/DRL concept. What model Porsche are they from?

Posted by: Jeff Hail Dec 4 2012, 12:43 AM

997 Turbo

Posted by: euro911 Mar 8 2013, 01:15 PM

Jeff, did you ever finish up the 997 lamps?

Posted by: Jeff Hail Mar 8 2013, 01:55 PM

No I have not. Coach and trim are later in the project... BUT I have a set of Benz DTR's that might work better. Still playing with idea's just have not settled on one yet.