Cibie Z-beam housing, can I install LED bulbs? |
|
Porsche, and the Porsche crest are registered trademarks of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG.
This site is not affiliated with Porsche in any way. Its only purpose is to provide an online forum for car enthusiasts. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. |
|
Cibie Z-beam housing, can I install LED bulbs? |
fixer34 |
Oct 2 2023, 07:03 AM
Post
#1
|
Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,085 Joined: 16-September 14 From: Chicago area Member No.: 17,908 Region Association: Upper MidWest |
Didn't want to hijack the other headlight thread.
I bought a set of Cibie Z-beam units some 40+ years ago (not realizing they were illegal in US at that time..) One bulb is still working, I had to replace the other one about 4 years ago. I really like the beam pattern and cutoff on the Z-beam lenses. Can I simply replace the 9003/H4 style with the LED units? No fog lights installed, although I do have a set to install 'when I get around to it...' |
Bullethead |
Oct 2 2023, 08:25 AM
Post
#2
|
Oil Cooled heart Group: Members Posts: 897 Joined: 24-June 10 From: South Florida Member No.: 11,875 Region Association: South East States |
Any of the LED bulbs currently available should be fine, although some have larger sinks and may not fit well.
|
VaccaRabite |
Oct 2 2023, 08:28 AM
Post
#3
|
En Garde! Group: Admin Posts: 13,456 Joined: 15-December 03 From: Dallastown, PA Member No.: 1,435 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
Didn't want to hijack the other headlight thread. I bought a set of Cibie Z-beam units some 40+ years ago (not realizing they were illegal in US at that time..) ... I really like the beam pattern and cutoff on the Z-beam lenses. Can I simply replace the 9003/H4 style with the LED units? So the short answer is yes. The long answer is that you may be disappointed with the beam pattern you get with LED lights in the ZBeam housing. LEDs shine differently then incandescent bulbs, and the reflectors may not work properly with an LED bulb. Zach |
914Sixer |
Oct 2 2023, 12:26 PM
Post
#4
|
914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 8,897 Joined: 17-January 05 From: San Angelo Texas Member No.: 3,457 Region Association: Southwest Region |
ALWAYS use 6 sided LED bulbs as a replacement. They have the same light pattern as a regular bulb. 2 and 4 sided are a poor replacement.
|
porschetub |
Oct 2 2023, 12:54 PM
Post
#5
|
Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 4,703 Joined: 25-July 15 From: New Zealand Member No.: 18,995 Region Association: None |
Didn't want to hijack the other headlight thread. I bought a set of Cibie Z-beam units some 40+ years ago (not realizing they were illegal in US at that time..) ... I really like the beam pattern and cutoff on the Z-beam lenses. Can I simply replace the 9003/H4 style with the LED units? So the short answer is yes. The long answer is that you may be disappointed with the beam pattern you get with LED lights in the ZBeam housing. LEDs shine differently then incandescent bulbs, and the reflectors may not work properly with an LED bulb. Zach I fitted LED units and man were they bright however the beam pattern was very scattered ,these were fitted to Hella H4 housings , besides the fact I found out on my countries government regulation website they are illegal I wouldn't have run them anyway due to the beam pattern . So Zach is very correct with his answer . |
73-914 |
Oct 2 2023, 01:00 PM
Post
#6
|
Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 578 Joined: 24-April 10 From: Albany UpstateNY Member No.: 11,651 Region Association: None |
Didn't want to hijack the other headlight thread. I bought a set of Cibie Z-beam units some 40+ years ago (not realizing they were illegal in US at that time..) One bulb is still working, I had to replace the other one about 4 years ago. I really like the beam pattern and cutoff on the Z-beam lenses. Can I simply replace the 9003/H4 style with the LED units? No fog lights installed, although I do have a set to install 'when I get around to it...' E-code headlights are illegal |
anderssj |
Oct 2 2023, 02:05 PM
Post
#7
|
Dog is my copilot... Group: Members Posts: 1,662 Joined: 28-January 03 From: VA Member No.: 207 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
I’ve been tempted to do the same with a set of NOS Cibies, but after reading Daniel Stern’s paper on the subject, I’ve decided to stay with high-quality H4 bulbs for now.
Here’s a link to the paper: https://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bu...onversions.html Food for thought anyways. |
fixer34 |
Oct 2 2023, 06:44 PM
Post
#8
|
Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,085 Joined: 16-September 14 From: Chicago area Member No.: 17,908 Region Association: Upper MidWest |
Didn't want to hijack the other headlight thread. I bought a set of Cibie Z-beam units some 40+ years ago (not realizing they were illegal in US at that time..) One bulb is still working, I had to replace the other one about 4 years ago. I really like the beam pattern and cutoff on the Z-beam lenses. Can I simply replace the 9003/H4 style with the LED units? No fog lights installed, although I do have a set to install 'when I get around to it...' E-code headlights are illegal Based on all the comments, I'll leave the H4's alone. At least I know they work properly and I can gets replacements easily. As for the 'illegal', considering what I see (or don't see-missing headlights all together) on other cars, I'm not going to worry about it. I can see what I need and I'm not blinding oncoming drivers. |
914sgofast2 |
Oct 3 2023, 08:49 AM
Post
#9
|
Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 620 Joined: 10-May 13 From: El Dorado Hills, CA Member No.: 15,855 Region Association: None |
I have the 914Rubber led bulbs in my Z-beam housings and I love them. The light pattern is great!
|
rfinegan |
Oct 3 2023, 08:58 AM
Post
#10
|
Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 973 Joined: 8-February 13 From: NC Member No.: 15,499 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
|
rfinegan |
Oct 3 2023, 09:55 AM
Post
#11
|
Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 973 Joined: 8-February 13 From: NC Member No.: 15,499 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
|
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 31st May 2024 - 11:17 PM |
All rights reserved 914World.com © since 2002 |
914World.com is the fastest growing online 914 community! We have it all, classifieds, events, forums, vendors, parts, autocross, racing, technical articles, events calendar, newsletter, restoration, gallery, archives, history and more for your Porsche 914 ... |