H4 headlights for 68 Camaro. Where/what to get?

[Chad-1stGen]

I've searched the board and been doing some research on headlights for my 68 camaro. I don't want to have to do a bunch of mods and it sounds like switching to an h4 set up is the best way to improve the headlights?

The car has already been 100% rewired with painless and the headlights are set up on relays an currently have the factory style connectors if that makes a difference.

So who makes these h4 headlight and is there a kit or do you just buy a housing and the bulb or?

Thanks!

[rockdogz]

Is there a benefit to the H4 over the 9007 bulb in the kit that DSE (http://www.detroitspeed.com/Product%20Pages/INDIVIDUAL%20%20PRODUCT%20PAGES/ELECTRICAL/driver_headlights_prod.htm) (http://www.detroitspeed.com/Product%20Pages/INDIVIDUAL%20%20PRODUCT%20PAGES/ELECTRICAL/driver_headlights_prod.htm)
sells?

[TD509EFI]

There is quite a few manufacturers of H4 headlight conversion: IPF, APC, Hella, Cibie, are a few that come to mind. The H4 bulbs use the standard headlight socket found in 1st and 2nd gen Camaros/ Firebirds and other cars from the same era.

The big question is legality, some states may consider these setups illegal. H4 bulbs are available in 55/60 w and up to 100/110 w or something similar. The latter would require the use of a relay.

I've used Cibie and currently use Hella in my 79 Z. I've also used the hi-watt 100/110W bulbs, but you must have the headlights aimed properly or you'll be p**sing off oncoming drivers and attracting the attention of the boys in blue.

Even a standard bulb H4 conversion is far superior to the stock sealed beam.

John

[chicane67]

I run the glass lense Hella with a 90/140.... and without adding any external relays. The lense isnt DOT legal but they do make a plastic version that is. The nice thing about this lense, is that there is a flat beam across the top.... so you basically drive up to your garage door to align them. From there, you just aim them under the bottom of a standard height side view mirror.

But if I were to pop for new H4 bulbs, I would run the PIAA Extreme Super White 55/65. They run cooler, put out about the same as my 100/110's and have near the same color temperature as the HID systems in BMW's. I know this because I have the Extreme Super White 55/65's in my truck along with the Super White H3's in my PIAA 940 "Twin Beam" driving/fog lamps.

[next69]

Chad,

Here is a link to a product that Painless has put together. Go to page 18 and you will see Halogen Headlight Harnesses.

http://www.classicindustries.com/pdf/c06_batteries-wiring.pdf

[Chad-1stGen]

Thanks for the responses guys :)

H4 really sounds like the way to go if the connectors are the same as factory 68 since I already have brand new painless wiring with relay.

So it sounds like I just need to buy some bulbs and housings? Are H4/9003/HB2 all the same bulbs?

The Hella lights would be these then?:
http://www.hella.com/produktion/HellaPortal/WebSite/Internet_usa/ProductsServices/Performance_Lighting/Conversion_Headlamps/Vision_Plus/Vision_Plus.jsp

[jeff5347]

Hey Chad,

were do u get the headlights from? are the h4s a high/low beam type of light.
Jeff

[Chad-1stGen]

The H4 headlight bulb itself can be obtained from just about anywhere including your local autopart stores. However, if you want a particular brand then mail order/online is probably it.

I'm still trying to figure out which housing I'm going to get.

[rockdogz]

So is there an advantage of the H4 over the 9007?

[chicane67]

The Hella lights would be these then?:
http://www.hella.com/produktion/HellaPortal/WebSite/Internet_usa/ProductsServices/Performance_Lighting/Conversion_Headlamps/Vision_Plus/Vision_Plus.jsp

Yup... that is the plastic version... and DOT approved as well.


So is there an advantage of the H4 over the 9007?

The only challengeable difference is the sealed socket over the H4. I am sure there are advantages to the seal... like forging thru 3+ feet of water... high humidity environments... etc. But, I havent had any problems with my H4 type PIAA bulbs in my Hella glass lenses' since the intial install back in 94.

[John S]

Even though the H4 uses the same socket as a standard halogen the wiring is different. I have read a bunch of comments from others that installed "Diodes" for the lights to operate, but if you rewire the socket correctly it wont be an issue and no diodes are needed.

[silver69camaro]

Even though the H4 uses the same socket as a standard halogen the wiring is different. I have read a bunch of comments from others that installed "Diodes" for the lights to operate, but if you rewire the socket correctly it wont be an issue and no diodes are needed.

Stock wiring worked just great for both my Camaro and '86 Half ton.

IMO, Hella E-Code lenses are the best you can buy. DOT-legal types must comply to 40 year old standards. E is the way to go!

[BonzoHansen]

Another possibility I just saw at NastyZ

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/products/products.html