LED headlamps

Better option is to swap to a 6" round fully engineered LED headlamp. JW Speaker makes someone nice ones. There was a thread years ago about switching to Truck Lite ones but the JWs are far superior

 

I had some to try, whilst they have the appearance if being brighter to look at. When driving they just didn't reflect back into the lens to create a better output beam. Went back to Halogen

 

here are two threads I was thinking of

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/308-328-sponsored-yellow-compass-group/444673-installed-truck-lite-27270c-7-led-headlights.html

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/308-328-sponsored-yellow-compass-group/418822-headlight-upgrade.html

 

I converted mine to HID but will try LED when mine goes south.

 

That's my thread, from 2 years ago. I am still extremely happy with those lights, fantastic output. Highly recommended!

 

I love these headlight threads, and they are always so useful. I follow a lot of the headlight threads on the truck forums for my daily driver, and have benefited a lot.

One huge problem for me - if it is dark here, there is snow! If I am driving the 328, there is 20 hours of daylight. I haven't turned them on in 10 years. I'm jealous of you guys.

 

I think it's a great idea to switch to LEDs to reduce the current draw.

But can anyone tell me how much less an LED draws, as compared to the stock halogens? Are we talking about a 10% drop, or a 50% drop?

Also, what about the two motors that pops the headlights up and down? Those things must draw quite a bit of current as well, no? Has anyone come up with a solution to feed current to those motors through a relay to bypass the existing wiring?


Thanks,
Sam in Saratoga

 

Hi...would the headlights be the same for a 328 GTS? I also see that the JW Speakers come in 2 models...the 8700 Evolution 2 and the 8700 Evolution J Black. The Jeep model is almost twice the price. Would I J for $500 or more?

 

Are your headlight motors slow?

j/k Actually there already is a relay for those in the relay panel.

But even then it wouldn't be a big concern. The motors run for a couple of seconds, very unlikely to cook a connector like running headlights for an hour or more.

 

The 7" LED sealed beam on superbrightleds.com also uses 2A on low and 2.4A on high, so they are still half the current of an incandescent 55/60W sealed beam (approx. 4.5A/5A). And with more light.

I don't think they look right in the classic lines of the 308 so I used H4 halogens and relays. BUT when can you even see the LED headlights? If they are popped up they are probably too bright to even be able to tell. And seeing in the dark is not over rated.


https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/led-headlight-bulbs-conversion-kits/7-round-h6024-dot-approved-led-sealed-beam-headlights-conversion/3146/#/tab/Specifications

 

can you provide the links? double the price I bet you're looking at a single light vs a set of 2. They sell single lights for motorcycle use.

 

Just checked and you are correct ETL330. It was amazon and it was single vs. pair.

Still don't know if they would work for the 328 and which model I need.

 

I went the separate relays as well with Euro H4 lenses... I just could not get over the look of the LED units. (With the relays and upgraded H4 lenses, the lights are better than the SUV daily driver, bot not quite as good as my BMW HID, but way less current going through the stalk now)

 

I guess the question here is do you stay with the original appearance and maybe upgrade the 7" Lights with Cibie or Hella and run 100/130W Bulbs, or change the appearance and go to LED's which look quite different. It's your car and your prerogative to go in whichever direction you choose. Some people have been critical about changing Fuel and Brake lines to Stainless Steel Braided, and even adding Alloy Pedals, etc...

 

I might add that if you want to show it at some stage and get it evaluated by a Ferrari Club event, you will definitely lose points for any of these upgrades.

 

Very true - from the drivers seat, you can't see what the headlights look like - and most people have them on when they're driving when it's dark, and others aren't thinking "Wow, a 308 in the dark, but what's with those headlights?"

When do you actually see them?

If you're going to a judging event, after you spend 3 hours detailing the car, spend 30 minutes to swap in concours-compliant sealed beam or H4 headlignts...

A photo of my 308 with the Truck-lite 27270C lights at dusk, these lights are currently available on Amazon for about $160 each, $320 per pair.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

That has never been officially discussed but I suspect the decision would go to the upgraded lights. If anyone loses points due to them contact me and I can very easily take it to the top to get a decision. In fact if possible I'll bring it up at the annual IAC/PFA meeting next month. I really do not see that as being an issue considering our overall philosophy. The only time the effect the appearance of the car is driving down the road at night and it makes the car more safe and usable in modern use.

 

Agree totally. Best lighting I have ever experienced and I have owned cars with 100w x 4 in H1/H4 combo.



Do not believe they will be a concours problem.

 

Sorry just not a fan of the sleepy look whether I can see them or not from the driving seat. I would know they were there and it would bug me. Not dissing anyone else choice.

I upgraded my lights to something that works very well at night, draws less current through the old wiring than the LED units and satisfies my aesthetic taste.

 

I got Truck lite last year and love them!