Porsche Headlight Retrofit [from CAD, prototyping to finish)

[particlewave]

Just to clear up any confusion, Fred makes HID projector kits that must be installed into pre-existing headlights (no ready made options).

That said, the completed headlights have no equal in looks or performance. The install isn't exactly easy, but plenty have done their own.

Mine are pictured below. I installed Fred's Vivo series projectors, along with some smaller projectors (for the dual projector look) and some custom made daytime running lights.

[2000986s]

Okay, that makes sense. So in that picture, is that a stock headlight assembly...? I'm a bit confused. My main goal is to get rid of the amber on my car. I have 03-04 tail lights installed and I am getting clear side markers but i need the headlights. What would I need to obtain in order to replicate exactly what is in that picture? Because oh my lord that is exactly what I want

[particlewave]

Originally Posted by 2000986s

Okay, that makes sense. So in that picture, is that a stock headlight assembly...? I'm a bit confused. My main goal is to get rid of the amber on my car. I have 03-04 tail lights installed and I am getting clear side markers but i need the headlights. What would I need to obtain in order to replicate exactly what is in that picture? Because oh my lord that is exactly what I want

You need to obtain a set of the clear style OEM headlights and install a set of Freds projectors. If you want the DRL light bars, that's a little more involved, but they are basically just six-inch CCFL lights mounted inside the headlight in the upper portion of the turn signal.

[2000986s]

That headlight porn.... oh my god.... amazing. Okay so clear style oem lights.... guessing that I can find those on pelican parts for a nasty price, but do they show up used on this forum very often? Do you recommend getting brand new? I messaged Fred so hopefully I can pick up a pair of his projectors when theyre available. DRL light bars might be a project for down the road

[2000986s]

And i can really never express how much i appreciate the help from all you amazing people on here. I'm a clueless 20 year old just beginning to wet my feet in the Porsche world and this guidance is amazing. So thank you, really.

[Disaster]

Originally Posted by particlewave

Just to clear up any confusion, Fred makes HID projector kits that must be installed into pre-existing headlights (no ready made options).

That said, the completed headlights have no equal in looks or performance. The install isn't exactly easy, but plenty have done their own.

Mine are pictured below. I installed Fred's Vivo series projectors, along with some smaller projectors (for the dual projector look) and some custom made daytime running lights.

The LED DRL looks amazing. Would love to know how that is done.

[particlewave]

Originally Posted by Disaster

The LED DRL looks amazing. Would love to know how that is done.

Thanks

The round halos come with the GT Projectors. The light bars in the headlights are 6" CCFL's (cold cathode fluorescent lights).
I mounted an acrylic tube in the upper turn signal portion (inside the headlight) which extends to just outside of the case so that the CCFL bulbs can slide in and out for changing when they burn out.
The acrylic tube has a clear window in the front, but the rest was painted with a "mirror finish" paint so that all light is reflected forward for maximum light output. They are nice and bright

I don't have any pictures of the process or of the inside of the headlight showing how the tube is mounted.

And yes, I made some orange light bar side markers to match



Despite how it looks, they really don't affect turn signal visibility much.

[Disaster]

Originally Posted by particlewave

The round halos come with the GT Projectors. The light bars in the headlights are 6" CCFL's (cold cathode fluorescent lights).
I mounted an acrylic tube in the upper turn signal portion (inside the headlight) which extends to just outside of the case so that the CCFL bulbs can slide in and out for changing when they burn out.
The acrylic tube has a clear window in the front, but the rest was painted with a "mirror finish" paint so that all light is reflected forward for maximum light output. They are nice and bright.

Are the CCFL's known to burn out? How often do they need to be changed? I'm leaning to LED's with a diffuser but so many of them are crap. Need to find a reliable one.

[Nine8Six]

Originally Posted by Disaster

Are the CCFL's known to burn out? How often do they need to be changed? I'm leaning to LED's with a diffuser but so many of them are crap. Need to find a reliable one.

Can’t comment on CCFL as I've never owned, tested, or even seen them myself. All I know is the professional car lighting system retrofitters that I personally know here in Shanghai and Tokyo simply do not install CCFL since a few years already. For two reasons; long phased out (using laser now), and categorized as unreliable. Perhaps the CCFL types that you guys are getting in the Americas are far superior in terms of supported technology, I have no idea.

If you ask me; personally I don’t use anything other than Xenon in my custom headlights for both low & high beams (bi-xenon). I need the output/temp and cutoff to be in line with local DOT regulation here (our cars requires yearly inspection). Those CCFL would automatically fail inspection here hence why ppl here just don’t install them anymore.

Same goes for the lower bumper DRL led bars i.e. those aftermarket DRL with overly powerful LEDs blinding the day light out of incoming traffic. Totally illegal if found to be aftermarket (car impounding + fines). In China/Shanghai anyway.

Lighting system designers here and JP now uses laser diodes and optical fiber to dress up headlights & taillights. Softer look & feel and safe(r) in terms of lumen output. Not my thing/taste at all but designed and installed carefully, those fiber optics 'supposedly' passes inspection here (I've heard, haven't tried lolll). Something worth looking into if you are into this kind of stuff.

[Nine8Six]

Those are my angel eyes. As subtle as that really.

Those parking lights are in fact the original Porsche halogen 12v bulbs. Still works today can you believe this loll 4k temp, love it

Optic & Xenon for low & high beams. And that's it, sharp lighting only.

Simplicity! Possibly the best looking lighting system your DOT inspector will ever see. Works.


^ yup, still on the prototype :/