28 replies to this topic

[freshairmini]

I fitted Wipacs in my Endurance rally Mini, then changed for Cibie's as they are much better. Then I fitted 100/80 w bulbs (available from Demon Tweeks). I upgraded the wiring and fitted 2 relays, one for each light. With the Cibie Super Oscar spots, also with 100 w bulbs the light output is fantastic.
In my '64 'S' rally car I have Hella H4 headlights and they, too, are superb with a pair of Super Oscars.

Cooperman wen u say upgraded wiring what exactly does that entail. Im going down this route in next few months and saving up for some hella spots. I want the best lighting. Also i need to replace my main light units anyone recomend something a bit more better quality thn the cheap ones off flea bay. Sorry for hijacking thread lol

I think its changing the wire that provide the power to the light to a hire amp cable to handle the extra current draw you would get from the 130/100watt bulbs. If you fitted more powerful bulbs to the original wiring it would melt because of the fact its like cotton thread

[LeaLeaCooper]

_{Gonna jump in on this one - it was mentioned earlier about putting a relay in is this needed? Does the wire need upgrading for 55/60 w?}

[Cooperman]

If you are staying with the 60/55 watt bulbs then the original wiring is fine. However, if fitting the technically illegal 100/80 watt, then you need to fit new wiring with relays to handle the high current.
I mentioned the wiring in terms of a rally car where you want total reliability, so I wire each headlight with a separate relay and separate fused power feed. This means that I should never lose more than one headlight. My spotlights work on the same basis.

[LeaLeaCooper]

Thank you Mr Cooperman

I just really don't fancy setting my car on fire lol

[JVA10L]

Just in case you are not already totally confused I will add a bit more to this. H4 bulbs are designed to allow both filaments to be on at the same time. With the Cibie lamps you get really good lighting if you wire them so that when you go to main beam the dip stays on as well. If you do this you MUST wire the main beam with a relay even with the standard 60/55w bulbs, but it is well worth it.

[LeaLeaCooper]

Just in case you are not already totally confused I will add a bit more to this. H4 bulbs are designed to allow both filaments to be on at the same time. With the Cibie lamps you get really good lighting if you wire them so that when you go to main beam the dip stays on as well. If you do this you MUST wire the main beam with a relay even with the standard 60/55w bulbs, but it is well worth it.

Now im lost again lol

[Cooperman]

My Cibies and the Hellas I have ae wired so that the main beams only have one filament on. I reason that the dip beams have less range and with main beam the light goes down the road. Also I don't want to take too much out of the alternator, especially when I have a pair of Super Oscar driving lights as well.

[bcjames]

I've got standard fitment Wipacs with some brighter standard wattage bulbs. While I'm messing around sorting my current lights, would Cibies still be a good upgrade?

[Cooperman]

I fitted a set of Wipacs a few years ago to a rally car, took it out on test and the lights were so poor I just took them out and fitted Cibies.That'll teach mne to be cheapskate!
However, I believe the current Wipacs are much better.
You really can't beat Cibie or Hella, though I once did have a set of Autopal lights which were excellent, especially with 100/80 watt bulbs and up-rated wiring.

[Cerberus]

Just in case you are not already totally confused I will add a bit more to this. H4 bulbs are designed to allow both filaments to be on at the same time. With the Cibie lamps you get really good lighting if you wire them so that when you go to main beam the dip stays on as well. If you do this you MUST wire the main beam with a relay even with the standard 60/55w bulbs, but it is well worth it.

How come every car that uses them then turns off dipped beam when you go to High beam?

Surely if it was worth doing, car manufactuerers would do it?

Surely having both on for extended periods your going to melt something?


I know its possible, but is it really advisable?

[invisible_kid]

Cibies wer worth ther wait in gold can c so much better thn my wipacs. Now to get sum hella spots I think once I sort out rest of car. Big thanks to everyone for help especially cooperman

[minisi35]

Just to add to the confusion I fitted a couple of months ago some Wipac freeforms and some Ring xenon 90 55/60watt bulbs and they are superb. I do a lot of road rallies/ navigational events and the spread of light down the lanes is brilliant compared to my old hella ones, though I have never tried the cibie version to compare. I've seen a lot of the good mk2 escorts that do the road rallies that are using the same headlamps.
When I first started modifying my lights the difference I found with just uprating the wiring and using relays with a "pure" live feed was quite noticeable even with the standard lights fitted, so definatly worth the effort to totally rewire each lamp.
Most motor factors sell the h4 3pin plug with the higher ampege cable as these are quite common in burning out on a lot of modern cars, then it's just a question of soldering on longer wires of the same spec of cable routing them to relays. Someone on here should be able to advise on the ampege as I can't remember if I used 16a or 25a wire

[LeaLeaCooper]

Ordered my new Cibie Headlights and bulbs today =D

[iDemonix]

Mine have arrived back at home but I won't be there to fit them until Easter holidays