Help deciding on upgradecs to lighting/electrical

[PhillySpider]

Hi Folks- My headlights are DIM. I know this is simply what all of us who've done nothing to the stock lighting or electrical system live with. I'm in the "definitely doing something soon camp" and looking at a few options. I'd appreciate your input (preference) or alternate suggestions.

1. AutoRicambi's relay kit ($79)- Seems like a well thought out solution, but I'm not too fond of the idea of adding wires, relays and fuses to have to trouble shoot later. Here it is: http://www.autoricambi.us/product/EL4-4 ... --1979-82/

2. Allison's Automotive 120 Amp Alternator Conversion ($209)- no direct link, scrolling required here: http://simpsen.com/store/shop_by_category.php

3. AutoRicambi Cibie H4 headlights ($100 a pair + H4 bulbs)- http://simpsen.com/store/shop_by_category.php

Writing this out, I'm thinking going with the Cibie lights...If they're not much brighter I guess I could always to the alternator or relay kit upgrade. I wonder if the new alternator AND the relay kit would be an even better combo or if there's no improvement over the alternator upgrade alone.

Look forward to your input...my wife refuses to drive in our Spider at night due to heavy deer traffic and winding country roads. Honestly it is a little scary, you don't see the buggers until you're right on top of them or next to you. Think Tommy Boy!

[Dawgme85]

Add the relays! The stock headlight wiring, which is routed through the ignition switch, is the weak link in the system. Running more amps through the ignition switch is not good for the switch and adding relays drops the current running through it. Mine had the relays installed by the PO (along with halogen bulbs) and, according to him, made a huge difference. All I know is I have very bright headlights.

[PhillySpider]

Add the relays! The stock headlight wiring, which is routed through the ignition switch, is the weak link in the system. Running more amps through the ignition switch is not good for the switch and adding relays drops the current running through it. Mine had the relays installed by the PO (along with halogen bulbs) and, according to him, made a huge difference. All I know is I have very bright headlights.

Thanks...one for the relay kit. I hate to spend $80 for $3 in parts. I'd probably look into making my own, I have access to samples galore from all the key relay and wire mfg's...

[mscafide]

I also say you should add the relay kit. It's more than $3 in parts and the wires are the right length with connectors. You could however save a few bucks and pay for it with more time.

The Cibie H4 lights will give you a dramatic improvement in lighting. People always think they need brighter lights to see better but that's not true. Good H4's like the Cibies have a good reflector AND a lens that controls the light. Uniform light everywhere in front of the car with no hot spots. The beam on my Marchals has a horizintal cutoff that the light stays below (not blinding oncoming traffic) with some illumination going above the line on the right to illuminate signs. I think the Cibies do the same.

Both are good choices.

[Frog2Spider]

Spend the money and buy the kit!
The relays are the right ones, the wires are the right length/gage and the kit is 'plug @ play'. Makes ALL the difference you won't believe, plus it will cause the ignition switch to last longer.

I also 'relayed' the starter and a air horn. I installed a 6 terminal fuse box in the engine compartment, which I also used (in addition to the headlights) to power everything, including the stereo and auto trunk release.

Doing this now, will save you a lot of aggravation and frustration in the future.

Dave.

[PhillySpider]

Thanks guys...would it make sense to do the relays AND the Cibies? OR, would that be blinding and potentially dangerous to oncoming traffic? I hate these kids with the illegal HID kits!

[PhillySpider]

Thanks guys...would it make sense to do the relays AND the Cibies? OR, would that be blinding and potentially dangerous to oncoming traffic? I hate these kids with the illegal HID kits!

[SunnySideUp]

Start with the relay and wiring upgrade first and see the difference. If you still want/need more after the relay upgrade then upgrade the actual headlights.

[TX82FIAT]

Agree, start with the headlight relay. The kit is easy to install making it a 1 hour job or so. I would imagine buying all the right parts and getting them all set to the right size and location plus installation would take a few hours. Also, not sure a 120 amp alternator is really needed unless your running a bunch of other items on the system of have a radio that is drawing over 30 amps. If you put the headlights on, fan motor on, have electric windows and a few other small gizmos including the radio I think you would have a hard time pulling more than 95 Amps. In my opinion the new headlights are great but make sense when you have to replace a headlight anyway.

[RRoller123]

Might want to check out Daniel Stern Lighting too. He sells a little widget that turns your front side markers into turn signals, that flash in unison with the ones in the bumper. I have it and it is a great safety improvement. He also lists alternate Honda bulbs that can be bought at the Honda dealer and significantly brighten everything! A little pricey, but I think it was well worth it.

[mscafide]

The lights will not be blinding, they will work properly.

The lenses aim the light where it should be, on the road not in everybody eyes like the current crop of most crap. You will understand when you plug them in and align them.

[ORFORD2004]

Hella light for me and 55W HID 10000K. Nobody never flash me because we are so low.

[spider2081]

I added relay for the headlights, coolant fan, starter solenoid, and wipers. Not only do those devices work better with the relays the switches in the car become much more reliable. The relays prevent ignition switch and its connectors from intermittent operation. The starter solenoid relay prevents the infamous "click" no start problem. The wiper relay speeds up the wiper blades in both speed positions of the panel switch. The coolant relay extends the life of the fan switch in the bottom of the radiator and makes a reliable way to turn on the fan from a dash switch when ever you want when driving.

I see no reason to replace an existing 65 amp alternator with a 95 amp unit. The 65 amp alternator is adequate for the Spider unless there is some high current sound system installed.

[DieselSpider]

Add the relays! The stock headlight wiring, which is routed through the ignition switch, is the weak link in the system. Running more amps through the ignition switch is not good for the switch and adding relays drops the current running through it. Mine had the relays installed by the PO (along with halogen bulbs) and, according to him, made a huge difference. All I know is I have very bright headlights.

Thanks...one for the relay kit. I hate to spend $80 for $3 in parts. I'd probably look into making my own, I have access to samples galore from all the key relay and wire mfg's...

Depending on how you do it the relays, wires, fuses, etc should cost between $10 and $20 for a $60 savings so each would have to decide whether its worth the effort to save the $60. For me $60 equates to enough diesel to commute and run errands for 2 months since the Diesel Spider gets about 40 mpg using it as a daily driver. I will be doing the headlights in the future but have already have relays for my starter, glow plugs and fuel valve on the Diesel IP which has made the car very much more reliable.

For the glow plugs I used a Ford style barrel relay fed by the same gauge cable as the main feed from the battery which gave me a 5/16 inch stud on the firewall with 12 volts off the battery in an easy to get to location that I can very easily feed any new circuits off of. The other relays I have been using are the fairly universal Optronics A-715A available at Advance and Oreilly for about $5 each. The Isuzu Diesel uses a Hitachi alternator rated at 55/65 Amps depending on the rectifier/regulator installed inside it and provides plenty of power for my needs.

[PhillySpider]

Add the relays! The stock headlight wiring, which is routed through the ignition switch, is the weak link in the system. Running more amps through the ignition switch is not good for the switch and adding relays drops the current running through it. Mine had the relays installed by the PO (along with halogen bulbs) and, according to him, made a huge difference. All I know is I have very bright headlights.

Thanks...one for the relay kit. I hate to spend $80 for $3 in parts. I'd probably look into making my own, I have access to samples galore from all the key relay and wire mfg's...

Depending on how you do it the relays, wires, fuses, etc should cost between $10 and $20 for a $60 savings so each would have to decide whether its worth the effort to save the $60. For me $60 equates to enough diesel to commute and run errands for 2 months since the Diesel Spider gets about 40 mpg using it as a daily driver. I will be doing the headlights in the future but have already have relays for my starter, glow plugs and fuel valve on the Diesel IP which has made the car very much more reliable.

For the glow plugs I used a Ford style barrel relay fed by the same gauge cable as the main feed from the battery which gave me a 5/16 inch stud on the firewall with 12 volts off the battery in an easy to get to location that I can very easily feed any new circuits off of. The other relays I have been using are the fairly universal Optronics A-715A available at Advance and Oreilly for about $5 each. The Isuzu Diesel uses a Hitachi alternator rated at 55/65 Amps depending on the rectifier/regulator installed inside it and provides plenty of power for my needs.

Love the idea of the 5/16 12v stud! With the battery in the trunk I'm not looking forward to all of this...