Upgrading H4 lights

[Phil@sievers.com (Phil Payne)]

In message <v01530505aebf21ba3bf4@[194.134.10.18]> tnas@dtpdirect.nl (Tom Nas, DTP Direct bv) writes:

> Hi Phil,
>
> Seeing that you've got a monster light combo on your Audi, I thought
> I'd ask you for advice re: my 1988 (B3) 80. I'm considering upgrading
> my feeble original lighting arrangement by fitting more powerful H4
> bulbs. In your opinion, is the original wiring able to handle 100/55 W
> H4's?

John Coughtrie and I have both run 100/65s on the stock Coupe GT and
ur-quattro wiring without ill effects.  I think the Audi 80 is the same
as the Coupe.

> What should I do for 165/100 W? (Wiring only? Wiring plus relay?)
> This is considerably easier and cheaper than fitting B4 DE units
> (requires a new bonnet and front wings). Also, would these lamps blow
> a lot, due to more heat?

Wiring only is not an option - the stock switches won't take it.  The
advantage of the relay system in an ur-quattro is that power is taken
directly from the alternator, saving huge cable runs and voltage
drops.  On the 80, the battery is under-bonnet so the cable runs are
less of an issue - but the switches remain a problem.  The mounting
point (inside the plenum chamber in front of the radiator) is the same.

The bulbs don't last as long.  I'm averaging 3 months per bulb.

> PS As an aside: what mileage would the 5-spd manual gearbox like that in my
> car be able to handle before a rebuild, would you guess? Feeling a little
> notchy when cold after 200,000 km. I don't know how the previous owner
> treated it, I only bought it 50,000 km ago. It *did* need a new clutch at
> 150,000, so I guess he was somewhat hard on that...

BR Motorsport tell me they've never had to junk one - they've only
rebuilt a handful.  I have 130k miles on the urq, I _had_ 110k on the
Audi 80 that I sold last year, and the car I'm just buying is rumoured
to have 210k on the gearbox.  A new clutch at 150k (km) is early - you
should expect 200k to 225k (km).  Left to her own devices, my wife
would burn a clutch in half that or less - she will happily sit for
minutes at a time slipping the clutch, waiting to pull out in traffic.

 Phil Payne

 (phil@sievers.com, despite what the bounces say.  If I don't
  reply, your message is probably still stuck on a Demon punt.)

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