Litronic Upgrade Technical Question

[Cloudsurfer]

Now that I am looking to do the Litronic upgrade on the 02 S, I have a real question related to the technicalities of the install. The kit that is sourced through the dealer includes the two new headlamp assemblies, some extra wiring, and a "Litronic Contol Module." I see plenty of used Litronic headlamps for sale scattered across the net, that are only the headlamp assemblies.

So the real question is, when doing the retrofit upgrade, do you need the Control Module and added wiring, or can this be done via some fab work? I dont mind "non plug and play" but if the control unit is a key piece to this upgrade than obvioulsy its required.

Patrick

[Jeph]

Short answer - It is not required.

All it (the module) does is aim the lights upward when you have the brights on. This fills the space bewteen the brights and the normal driving lights.

[Cloudsurfer]

Very interesting. So if I just retro the Litronics into the car without the module, how much custom/fab wiring am I doing?

I could really care less about the beam pattern with brights on, as I use them so infrequently. I assume also, the module can be added later yes?

Patrick

[Jeph]

ZERO fab/wiring.

You pull the old lights out, put the new ones in. It should take you 2 minutes. Maybe 10 if it's your first time. It is literally easier than replacing a single headlight bulb.

When I had the standard Litronics, I did not install the module. My brights were plenty adequate.

[Cloudsurfer]

Very good to know. What do you have now as opposed to "standard Litronics?"

Patrick

[Jeph]

By standard Litronics, I am referring to the lights that are supposed to be fitted to Boxsters. I recently installed later model Carrera lights on my car (much fabrication). You can see the difference below.

[Adam]

The control module is probably what adjusts the lights under braking and acceleration. OEM Porsche litronic lights have this feature which adjusts the height of the beam under those circumstances to avoid blinding oncoming traffic and to better illuminate the road. That's just guess though.

[Boxtaboy]

If you buy the litronics without the control module/wiring, it is no problem- the xenon low beam capability will still work fine if you just pop out the old halogen lights, and pop in the new litronics. Plug and Play. When you put the high beams on, you will have low beam xenons and high beam halogens without the added feature of the low beam xenons tilting up 5 degrees to assist the halogen high beams in filling up the space. This is fine with me, and I didn't bother to add the wiring.

Adding the wiring will give you the extra feature of having the low beam xenons tilt up 5 degrees when you turn on the high beams to assist in filling space. The feature of the xenons tilting up or down according to dip and angle will not work, even if you add the wiring, as you would also need to connect the sensors to the wheel/suspension, which only is done if you order the car with litronics from the factory. Hope this helps.

[Tool Pants]

The litronic headlights will work fine without the control unit. But you do get better lighting with the control unit.

We filmed the install with the control unit for the DVDs we made a few years ago. Porsche also has a TSB on how to do the retrofit. Actually there are 2 TSBs.

You have a 2002. On 1997-2001 the control unit was hooked up to a black 21 pin connector on the passenger side. 2002-2004 does not have this black connector. On 2002-2004 you use the white 21 pin connector near the brake booster.

That is why there are 2 TSBs.

[Cloudsurfer]

Jeph-

That looks great. Personally, I'm waiting for some old lady to back into me and damage the front just enough so I can swap the GT3 front on. I'd be interested in doing the newer Carerra lights at that time as well I'm sure.

How much of a PITA was that? I'm guessing a good bit....

Patrick

[Jeph]

Getting this conversion did involve an accident, so insurance helped finance this transformation. And let me tell you, you'd be surprised at how hard an old lady has to back into you to damage your lights. That plastic is THICK and TOUGH. The lights I have require new fenders, bumper, and (much) more.

My body shop took care of it, so in terms of PITA, roughly 0%.

[BoxsterRS]

How much did it cost you to do that front end conversion ?

[Cloudsurfer]

Looks great. When doing the conversion, can you save your hood and swap fenders and front bumper and lights and have evereything line up, or is it more complicated than that?

Patrick

[Jeph]

You'll keep the same hood, but there's a pile of various other pieces you'll need. No fabrication is required, if that's what you mean. The parts do line up naturally, but you need different retainers, liners, and ducts -oh my.

I haven't calculated the exact cost yet.

[RandallNeighbour]

If you do the litronics upgrade, do the wiring too. It's absolutely cool when you turn on the lamps and they bob and move into position, then rotate up!

Everyone who rides in my car at night says "woah, that's amazing"

Priceless!

[FrayAdjacent]

My Litronics must have been added APOS... they don't do anything interesting except make really nice white light! Maybe I'll have to check into that controller thing, and retrofit it.

[Jeph]

Originally Posted by FrayAdjacent

My Litronics must have been added APOS... they don't do anything interesting except make really nice white light! Maybe I'll have to check into that controller thing, and retrofit it.

If you're interested, I never installed mine, and I'm about to post it up on eBay.

[Jeph]

Here is my module for sale:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270082112423