Alfa Pages

Lee · Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 10:46 pm Post subject: 33 headlights are crap

Just driven mine home tonight with its fresh MOT (wahey Cool

)and I realise just how much better the projector lights on my 155 are.

Ive got to try some decent bulbs at least, got some 50% brighter whites in the garage I might try.
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`97 155 2.0 16v sport
`91 33 1.7 I.E

Ben_nz · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 6:28 am Post subject:

Insert usual story about voltage drops due to resistance in wiring and connectors resulting in insufficient power to the headlights.
Also 33 headlights like to get condensation in them if they don't seal properly, which may over time leave dust behind on the reflector and the inside of the lens.
If you want to get your headlight open to clean it, just put it in the ov...
wait, on second thoughts don't do that. Wink

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"Now, all that is left to do ... is wait that something else brokens, to fix up again!"

Dr A. 33 1.5IE · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 1:43 pm Post subject:

Hello Alfistas,

I had mine replaced with brand new ones on my series 3 over a year ago, a really costly business, around 250 Euros without the decoprative seals under each headlight. The result was of course better lighting but not as much as I expected. I even use 'white light' bulbs (the ones with the blue tint on them, not of a good brand though) but still when I compare my beams to my misses Golf MK5 (not HID ones), mine are more like flashlights rather than headlights.

By the way is there a way to improve the headlights performance? Any suggestions for bulbs, make, type?

Take care everyone
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1994 Alfa 33 1.5 IE Cat. 220.000Kms and still going strong!!! (Από την Αθήνα και τώρα στην Λευκωσία)

gritsop · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 2:38 pm Post subject:

Hi,

I also had the same question asked to my self about headlights. As a first step I installed new bulbs made by Philips model "Xenon effect" which gives a white light instead of the yellowish of the standard H4 bulbs.

The new bulbs are still H4 spec but their glass is blue and really give a white light. Their illuminating performance is much better now. Very Happy

Finally I gave the inside of the headlight a good cleaning by inserting a long screwdriver wrapped with cloth all soaked in glass cleaner and vinecar. Quite some dirt came out especially traces of mold Rolling Eyes

By the way Dr.A you were very lucky to find new headlights... new items for the LHD 33 are very difficult to find; imagine the RHD ones... Confused

Regards
_________________
Thanassis Gritsopoulos
1991 Alfa 33 1.4 IE
2001 Alfa 147 1.6 Distinctive

http://www.alfa-restoration.co.uk
Parts Shop: www.alfa-restoration.co.uk/shop

Dr A. 33 1.5IE · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 4:09 pm Post subject:

Thats true Gritsop,

The Alfa Romeo dealer here in Cyprus actually had maybe the last RHD pair of headlights on the whole island.

Anyway I am thinking that next time I will be coming to Athens to buy a descent pair of H4 bulbs of a named brand this time to see if I get any better results.

Actually on a dry night my headlights they produce a descent lightpath in front of the car but on a rainy night you can see the reflection of the lights on the wet tarmac but not a bright lightpath (as if the headlights do not aim the road.)

Anyway that's what 33s are all about ... discussions!!!

(By the way Gritsop I replaced the front shocks with newer second hand ones-Boge of course with 3 screws on the top, just for 160euros all inclusive. What you think about the price?)
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1994 Alfa 33 1.5 IE Cat. 220.000Kms and still going strong!!! (Από την Αθήνα και τώρα στην Λευκωσία)

gritsop · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 4:15 pm Post subject:

Hi,

BOGE shocks are not cheap. I had mine replaced with Sachs (BOGE and Sachs are made by the same factory, only packaging differs) all around at September 2004 and their cost was 260€. I had them fitted by myself which was a straight job.

Last summer I got new springs at 170€; these are most probably original items as I found the red sticker on them. Springs are not available new from Alfa... I had them bought at a suspension shop in Aghia Paraskevi. The suspension is now more firm and rigid and the 33 now sits on the road as supposed to Cool

For your information www.suspensions.gr

Xairetismous
_________________
Thanassis Gritsopoulos
1991 Alfa 33 1.4 IE
2001 Alfa 147 1.6 Distinctive

http://www.alfa-restoration.co.uk
Parts Shop: www.alfa-restoration.co.uk/shop

Dr A. 33 1.5IE · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 4:24 pm Post subject:

Hello again,

Actually my mechanic has a breaker's yard on its own. He used to travel to Milano once every two years bringing back stuff for 'his' Alfas that's why I got access to little or bigger things for cheap. In order not to replace just the shocks he got the whole shock with the springs and all the bushes in place so that he just undone the brakes hub and the three screws on the top of the shock base, bolted on the 'new' shocks and off I went.

Literally the car has transformed. No banging any more and no more plastics bits falling of the inner side of the dashboard (its a 94 model and with all this sun here in Cyprus things got really brittle in places.)

Take care
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1994 Alfa 33 1.5 IE Cat. 220.000Kms and still going strong!!! (Από την Αθήνα και τώρα στην Λευκωσία)

Oggie · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 7:27 pm Post subject:

I went the expensive route and fitted hid xenon units at £300.00p Shocked

. I know I know but the end result is my lights are better than most current cars on the road and they really light the road more evenly, bit of a fiddle to fit but it took about 1.5 hours to do Idea

.
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PHAT 33

bobbber · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:13 pm Post subject:

Right hand drive headlights, for Series II AND III are here :

www.beeversautopanels.co.uk

Bob
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Fiat Bravo 165 Sport

Oggie · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:24 pm Post subject:

interesting site

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PHAT 33

Lee · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 9:30 pm Post subject:

Dr A. 33 1.5IE · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:49 pm Post subject:

Hi Bobber,

According to the site I would need 180GBP for the pair (235 euros) close to the money I spent at the dealer's.

Those HID kits do they really worth the extra cost? Are they street legal? If so which ones have you used?

Regards
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1994 Alfa 33 1.5 IE Cat. 220.000Kms and still going strong!!! (Από την Αθήνα και τώρα στην Λευκωσία)

Lee · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:54 pm Post subject:

I cant comment on the H4 fitting HID kit, but for my 155 they are superb, Ive got 6000k 35watt fitted which are a blue white. The amount of light generated is far greater than a halogen bulb.

Ive found that I dont need to use main beam on unlit back roads where before I would have used it, they are that good.

I bought my kit on ebay from hong kong.
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`97 155 2.0 16v sport
`91 33 1.7 I.E

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2995 Location: U.K Surrey

Oggie, could you post some pics please
I fitted some 80/100w bulbs that sell at halfords compared to standard 50/60. I havent had any heat problems, just wish i could drive around with full beams on all the time Laughing

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x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203

Admin · Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:27 am Post subject:

Hi

Used a 100/80 bulb many years ago in a bike. Melted the wiring through the ignition switch!

By the way, that size of bulb is illegal for anything newer than some date in the mid 1980s.

All the best

Keith
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I owe, I owe, its off to work we go.
Bimota Forum
Stafford Christmas Lights

Dr A. 33 1.5IE · Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 1:33 pm Post subject:

Hi,

If I am not mistaken HID need more power than the standard halogen bulbs to operate.

Does the 33 have the required wiring for the kit to be fitted? Has anyone done it on a 33 before?

Thanks
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1994 Alfa 33 1.5 IE Cat. 220.000Kms and still going strong!!! (Από την Αθήνα και τώρα στην Λευκωσία)

Admin · Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 3:04 pm Post subject:

Hi

There is a legal limit for power consumption for headlights of 60W these days. Think the HID "bulbs" draw far less than that.

If you really want to fit them then just use a couple of relays near the headlights and take the main feeds from the battery.

All the best

Keith
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I owe, I owe, its off to work we go.
Bimota Forum
Stafford Christmas Lights

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2995 Location: U.K Surrey

Keith

Oggie · Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 8:28 pm Post subject:

Al the pics will follow soonish the cars misfiring issue turns out to be a devious problem to fix and even has Adie Hawkins perplexed Confused

.
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PHAT 33

Eddie_W · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 5:30 am Post subject:

My 33 headlights drive me mad. How can you press at night on backcountry roads behind a pair of Eveready torches?
I fitted a double relay (mounted on the heater) and heavy wiring from there to the lights. Still useless so I fitted Halogen 100/130 bulbs of Eastern origin , still rubbish. Maybe better quality bulbs will help but I can't understand why any cheap Jappa can have lights that are 10 times better.
My attention is elsewhere on the car at the moment but this is something I'd really like to sort with Winter coming on.
regards Eddie
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The pop star formerly known as Eddie W

Oggie · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 8:30 pm Post subject:

I think HID is the answer to any naff headlight issue any one has , mine may have been expensive but I was forwarned about buying them from e-bay as you often don't get what you expect. The H4 kit does comprimise of a solanoid to move the shroud back and forth over the bulb and just to replace this item would cost £75 each!!!!!.
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PHAT 33

Lee · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 9:17 pm Post subject:

The HID setup uses the standard wiring upto a point, then most sets will include the necessary loom to power the ballast pack(the part that gives the high voltage to light the xenon gas) and then onto your new xenon lamps.

i can honestly say im very impressed with my £40 kit from hong kong and will be fitting the same kit to the 33.

Theres loads of us on the 155 forum who all have the same set fitted, so a testament to these cheap HID kits.

The power ratings are less, the kit Ive fitted to the 155 uses 35w lamps and no heat is produced so therefore wont melt wiring either. The new loom from the ballast pack takes care of the very high voltages needed to spark up the xenon lamps.

I`ll be getting another set for my 33 in a month or so, just need to lavish some cash on both the 155 and 33 first.

Hope all this helps Wink

Lee
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`97 155 2.0 16v sport
`91 33 1.7 I.E

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2995 Location: U.K Surrey

Lee, did you get the "H4" HID kit for your 33
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x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203

Admin · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 11:17 am Post subject:

Hi

Be aware that the HID kits are regarded as illegal for aftermarket fitment.

All the best

Keith
_________________
I owe, I owe, its off to work we go.
Bimota Forum
Stafford Christmas Lights

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2995 Location: U.K Surrey

Lee?
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x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203