HIDs conversions

www.hids4u.co.uk

conversion kits for headlights. I've read about the temperature vs light output but would like to know if anyone has fitted to a 964 and how practical they are to fit to a 964 please.

and has anyone taken them out after fitting cos they weren't happy.
cheers

This has been covered at length on Rennlist (try a search might have been in the 964 or 993 sections). It is also worth being aware that there could be an issue come MOT time if the vehicle did not come with them as standard - might be to do with differant headlight lens optics required and self leveling mechinism being missing, but cant recall now. Also the kits that were being discussed were in the £130 mark too.

I'd be interested to know what you find out and decide to do, good hunting.

Bored so went searching for the info!!

This is taken from page 4 of this thread, some useful info, the VSOA bit copied below - sorry, it's quite long.

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/showthread.php?t=314146&page=4&pp=15&highlight=hid


""Haven't fitted my kit yet but here is some interesting regarding the HID fitment in the UK......

"This is an actual response that a member on FiatForum got when he wrote to VOSA who then forwarded it to the Department of Transport to clear up the uncertainty surrounding the fitment of aftermarket HID conversions on a car which did not have it as standard.

Please read if you have already, or are considering the fitment of such kits.

Dear Mr XXXXXX,

Please see attached our fact sheet which outlines the Department's understanding of the regulations relating to HID conversion kits.
Please note that the Department for Transport cannot provide an authoritative interpretation of the law; that is a matter for the courts.

Yours sincerely

Jillian Smith
DfT - Transport Technology and Standards

The fact Sheet; (It came in form of a word document, but I have just copied and pasted here for ease.)

December 2006

Aftermarket HID headlamps

In the Department's view it is not legal to sell or use after market HID lighting kits, for converting conventional Halogen headlamps to HID Xenon. If a customer wants to convert his vehicle to Xenon HID he must purchase completely new Xenon HID headlamps. The reason for this is that the existing lens and reflector are designed around a Halogen filament bulb, working to very precise tolerances. If one places a HID "burner" (bulb) in the headlamp, the beam pattern will not be correct, there will be glare in some places and not enough light in other places within the beam pattern.

The following is the legal rationale:

The Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 regulate the situation in the UK.
Under these Regulations, HID/Gas Discharge/Xenon headlamps are not mentioned and therefore they are not permitted according to the strict letter of the law.

However new vehicles have HID headlamps. This is because they comply to European type approval Regulations. The UK cannot refuse to register a vehicle with a European type approval. These are to ECE Regulation 98 (for the HID headlamps which are tested on a rig in a laboratory) and ECE Regulation 48 (Lighting Installation on the vehicle).

For the after market, a used vehicle cannot obtain type approval because it is only applicable for new vehicles. However we feel that saying "HID is banned in the after market" would not be reasonable. Instead we should make analogies with new vehicles. It would be reasonable to require HID in the after market to meet the same safety standards as on new vehicles. The same level of safety should apply.

Therefore a HID headlamp unit sold in the after market should:

1. be type approved to ECE Regulation 98 as a component.

2. when fitted to the vehicle should enable ECE Regulation 48 to be complied with (although no government inspection will take place).

3. Comply with RVLR as far as "use" is concerned.
In practice this means:

1. The headlamp unit (outer lens, reflector, bulb) shall be type approved to ECE 98 and be "e-marked" to demonstrate this. That can only be done by the headlamp supplier - Hella, Valeo etc. who must test the headlamp in an independent laboratory.

2. Once fitted to the vehicle it must have headlamp cleaning and self-levelling (which can be for the headlamp or can be in the vehicle suspension - some expensive estate cars have "self-levelling suspension" and that is adequate). Also the dipped beam must stay on with the main beam.

3. The headlamp must be maintained in good working order, kept clean, and aligned/adjusted correctly like any other headlamp.

Under the Road Traffic Act 1988 it is an offence to supply, fit or use vehicle parts which are not legal.

In summary it is not permitted to convert an existing halogen headlamp unit for use with HID bulbs. The entire headlamp unit must be replaced with one designed and approved for use with HID bulbs and it must be installed in accordance with the rules stated above.

If you require any further information regarding the regulations covered by this fact sheet, please contact the DfT at the address below:

Transport Technology and Standards 6
Department for Transport
Zone 2/04
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street Telephone: 020 7944 2078
London Fax: 020 7944 2196
SW1P 4DR Email: TTS"

food for thought although there are a lot more road "crimes" being committed every day in the UK!!""

Think it all boils down to whether or not your car will pass its MOT test with them fitted - which in turn will depend upon the type of reflector within the headlamp unit.

Can't speak for 964s, but 993 reflectors seem to keep the beam pattern ok, such that they pass the MOT test, and thus create no problems.

tbh, the improvement is so good that you wonder why you never did this mod before, once it has been carried out ...

Might be worth chatting to Alan at Aceparts also - he sells the kits so should know a bit about the legal side of them ...

I put HIDs in my 993 I got them from HIDs4U

The seem like a mom and pop operation. When i had a problem with the ballast they took their time replacing it and i had to send mine back first

I'd recommend Alan of aceparts.com hes a 993 driver too and sells lighting nick nacks. And i don't get anything for recommending him before anyone complains

For my new project 911 I'm buying a set off him as he'll supply me HIDs with the longer leads so i can fit the ballasts in the boot.

My car had just gotten thought its 2nd MOT with HIDs fitted and i have been stopped once or twice by the law and they never mentioned it to me. On the old site theres a post that went into great deal about the legality and it was agreed it was ok to convert your lights over

thanks guys,
thats me off to Aceparts then !!!

I bet if I asked if anyone had a gadget that made whatnots for thingamimmybobs, someone on here would know.

Its a great forum, helpful honest people,

It just enhances the whole porsche experience knowing someone else has suffered before you, and is willing to help you !

i had a techone kit, and the rear of the bulbs was too big for the headlamp bowl... so now they reside in the gf's saxo...

Got mine from HIDS4U, very happy, easy fitment and passed MOT with them.