Litronic LHD vs. RHD

[997_986]

A quick question, I could buy Litronics of a RHD cheaply, is the difference to the LHD versions significant and could it possibly be changed? I need LHD.

I have read that there is a "tourist-setting" which can be used to switch between right and left-hand traffic, see picture.

I wonder why different headlight versions are built if it would be that easy



Edit: The changeover means that part of the light cone/asymmetry is blanked out and would therefore be permanently unavailable.

[mikefocke]

I also suggest asking on boxa.net as the UK folks often convert to move to the EU.

[El 3.2S]

My year 2000 986S has litronics fitted. It is a LHD car registered in Germany. When it was less than a year old a chap from the UK bought it an exported it there. For the next 13 years it lived in the UK, until I bought it in 2014 and took it back to the other side of the road, in Spain. I never found out for sure, but I assumed the previous owner fitted RHD lights.
When I bought it, I removed the lights and slid the levers over to what I thought was the “tourist setting” more suited to driving in Spain. My car has passed the yearly Spanish ITV test every year for 10 years. Only once did it get an advisory for the beam pattern. I virtually never drive on the open roads at night, so cannot really comment on beam pattern but it seems just fine. What I wonder is, if the “tourist setting” is maybe a kind of half way house? Neither quite one, nor the other?

[997_986]

Yes, as I understand it, it doesn't utilise the full potential and limits the light cone depending on the design so as not to dazzle oncoming traffic. Certainly suitable as a compromise but then too expensive.

[Deserion]

Couldn’t the projectors be changed out to the LHD version? There are projector upgrade kits that may fit the bill if that’s the case.

[JBauer]

Originally Posted by Deserion

Couldn’t the projectors be changed out to the LHD version? There are projector upgrade kits that may fit the bill if that’s the case.

The projector kits don't effect the aim but there is a 3rd adjustment hole closed off with a rivet. I've heard this can be removed and adjusted to LHD by a dealer. Don't really know if this is true but there is an adjustment if you remove the rivet. Obviously Porsche doesn't want us messing with it.

[Deserion]

Originally Posted by JBauer

The projector kits don't effect the aim but there is a 3rd adjustment hole closed off with a rivet. I've heard this can be removed and adjusted to LHD by a dealer. Don't really know if this is true but there is an adjustment if you remove the rivet. Obviously Porsche doesn't want us messing with it.

The beam cutoff is in the projector assembly itself. Retrofitlab offers RHD or LHD on their upgrade kits:

https://retrofitlab.com/collections/porsche-911-996-1-986-1/products/porsche-911-996-1-1998-2001-litronic-xenon-headlights-bi-xenon-retrofit

[997_986]

Thanks, i have running an enquiry for this conversion. As an alternative, i could purchase a set of Litronic for RHD/LHT at a reasonable price. In principle, I would only have to change the burner from left to right and re-tune the hig beam. Unfortunately, I don't know how complicated this is! And too pricy for trial and error.