Thread: Headlight upgrades for P38?

I've swapped the standard QI bulbs for 90/130 watt versions.....they give far and away superior light on both hi and low beams....no problems re. heavier current flow thru the standard wires and light switch and dipper.....if you are worried about overheating/burning out those components then fit one of the readily available headlamp wiring upgrade looms with relays available.

Charlie,

Catch up with Drivesafe (maybe pm him if he doesn't pop in to this thread)

He's the man around here to give you honest reliable answers to your questions regarding lighting.

He also sells a quality wiring loom upgrade - through his Traxide site..

Cheers
Mark

Originally Posted by byron

I've swapped the standard QI bulbs for 90/130 watt versions.....they give far and away superior light on both hi and low beams....no problems re. heavier current flow thru the standard wires and light switch and dipper.....if you are worried about overheating/burning out those components then fit one of the readily available headlamp wiring upgrade looms with relays available.

Umm, I'm not sure that an upgrade loom with relays will interface very well to a P38A. The P38A senses current draw and if you fit relays, there is every chance the Message Centre will give bulb failure messages. You will need to fool the BECM somehow.

Byron, do you have a P38A to which you've done a bulb upgrade? If so, I'd be concerned that you may have problems with BECM burning out due to the higher currents.

Ron

zenon gas discharge upgrade for $1000 fitted.

glen

Originally Posted by p38arover

Umm, I'm not sure that an upgrade loom with relays will interface very well to a P38A. The P38A senses current draw and if you fit relays, there is every chance the Message Centre will give bulb failure messages. You will need to fool the BECM somehow.

Byron, do you have a P38A to which you've done a bulb upgrade? If so, I'd be concerned that you may have problems with BECM burning out due to the higher currents.

Ron

OOPS!.....I swapped them about 7 years ago.....haven't had any problems apart from spurious bulb failure warnings [that CAN be very annoying!]....by BECM, do u mean the "Body ECM"?????.....if that's wot u mean, it hasn't burnt out so far.....but now I'm worried....wot's the risk/cause of danger to it?

Glen I want the thousand dollar jobbies but that would mean i would have to wait longer for the barwork. Anyway I just replaced them with some 50% brighter ones guys and they are ok but not 50% brighter but about the same. Oh well for $20 thats ok

Charlie

Originally Posted by byron

OOPS!.....I swapped them about 7 years ago.....haven't had any problems apart from spurious bulb failure warnings [that CAN be very annoying!]....by BECM, do u mean the "Body ECM"?????.....if that's wot u mean, it hasn't burnt out so far.....but now I'm worried....wot's the risk/cause of danger to it?

I'm confused. Having read a couple of your other posts - do you have a Disco or a P38A (or both)?

By your comment above about bulb failure warnings, I assume you have a P38A. I suspect the bulb failure warnings are due to the different current being drawn over what the BeCM expects to be drawn.

Yes, the BeCM is the Body ECU. Re risk, I don't know.

Ron