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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Headlap Upgrade

My Sprite has Wipac headlamps with 50/60 halogen bulbs. They are useless. The reflectors have a yellowish tinge and I have tried to clean the inside of the glass with a rag poked through the bulb hole but everything still looks dull. I think I need to upgrade to LEDs but should I buy just bulbs are full units. I will be at the Classic Car Show next Friday and I am cetain there will be plenty of headlamps for sale but is there any advice or recommendations?

Jan T
J Targosz

I think it's illegal to put led bulbs in reflectors that were designed for halogen filament bulbs. The reflectors are designed to give a light pattern assuming the filament is in a precise known position. If you replace the filament with a LED bulb it will probably dazzle other drivers. Also if your reflectors are defective putting LED bulbs in will not cure your problem. It's much better to buy the full LED light unit and it's legal too.
Rob
MG Moneypit

I agree with Rob, but an effective clean for reflector and glass is to swill it round with a bleach solutuon for a few moments. Then rinse and leave to air dry.
GuyW

I fitted these to my B albiet with new reflector/headlights. They often do them as a kit with bulbs and headlights. They claim they're MOT and UK reg complient. Probably not the cheapest option but they do work well.

https://www.mgocspares.co.uk/parts/1_3_355_2701_3838_3839/led-and-uprated-lighting

If you go for these don't make my mistake and fail to read the instructions, I fitted them upside down initialy. I think they work very well.

Bob
R.A Davis

Not sure it is illegal.

"The MOT rules have been clarified from 22.3.21 to allow the use of LED conversions that pass the beam pattern tests for headlights for Class 3, 4, 5 and 7 vehicles (car, private bus and light commercial vehicle) first used before 1 April 1986 and all class1 and 2 motorcycles of any age. Full details can be read at this link."

Extract taken from
https://www.classiccarleds.co.uk/products/latest-led-headlights-h4-philips-z-es-hi-lo-beam-conversion-9-32v

I've fitted a kit from Classic Car LEDs and they are brighter and quicker to illuminate, useful when flashing other road users😧
The only bulbs on the car which aren't LEDs are the instrument panel ones and they're next on the list.
Two reasons, they help make the (very small) car more visible to other road users and in the case of headlights, remove the need for relays as the current draw is a lot less than halogens and so help protect the older wiring and switches.
Jeremy MkIII

I agree that the Wipac headlamp units are rubbish. I tried them on my MGs years ago and not only was the beam pattern poor, but the reflectors rusted in little over a year. Perhaps they are better now.

I now have Cibie / Valeo lights with standard H4 bulbs and they are at least as good as the lights on my modern car. Very controlled beam and so far have lasted around 10 years without deteriorating. Trouble is I don't think you can get them any more.
Mike Howlett

I also have Cibie headlamps but not the earlier rare type. I think with 160/100 H4 bulbs they produce more light than any LED unit. I suppose 130/100 would also get the job done. I find on main beam anything coming the other way dips first.
Daniel

It is a shame Cibie/Valeo round 7 inch headlamps with LH dip seem NLA. Wonder if these Hella versions (unfortunately with a sidelight) are better quality that the Wipacs: https://www.bowerspartsonline.co.uk/brands/hella/hella-7-inch-halogen-h4-flat-lens-headlight-headlamp-1l6002395261

Wonder if these are NOS Cibies: https://www.astonparts.com/cibie-h4-no-sl-lhdip-d444618.html

Cheers
Mike
M Wood

I have checked out the Bowerspares site but the lamps they show have a flat face. The Wipac ones currently fitted to the Sprite are domed like the original Lucas ones but they lack any sparkle and look so dull on the car. It is almost as though the reflectors are made from aluminium or even brass. I am looking forward to searching out a pair at the Classic Car Show on Friday.

Just as a follow on I increased the brightness of the rear lamps by gluing aluminium foil to the large rubber gaskets. I don't know if it has improved the actual light output but the lenses themselves now sparkle.

Jan T
J Targosz

Jan,
I have the Bowerspares headlights as I prefer the flat face. If you try LEDs for your rear stop/tail you'll be surprised at how much brighter they are. Ditto with your indicators but you'll need a flasher unit suitable for the LEDs.
Jeremy MkIII

Another vote for Cibie / Valero. I have the version with side lights and wired them with the standard side lights to make the car more obvious to oncoming traffic.
Doug Plumb

I have had Lucas Quadoptics on my car for 20 years. Augmented by Wipac spot lamps wired to main beam. Everything is on relays. The Lucas ones have lasted well and still perform well. The Wipacs are however not very well made and need constant attention to corroded connections.
Les Rose

i have washed the inside of one of the Wipac lamps with dilute bleach. The glass has come up a treat but the reflector still looks like aluminium and dull at that. I remember Wipac from years ago, especially fog and spot lights and possibly wiper blades. Perhaps the quality has deterioated.

As per my usual wandering off topic does anyone recall fog and spotlamps made by Notec. I remember one had a blue centre to the glass.

Jan T
J Targosz

I had Wipacs but they went rusty and I binned them.

I now have Cibie's and they are very good but I don't think they are still available.

The best Cibie's were the Biode - twin bulbs - had them in the '70's and they had amazing main beams. Now if you can find any they command huge prices as the Ford Escort rally boys and Porsches guys want them for works style originality etc.

R.
richard b

Les said...

>>>Everything is on relays.<<<

The single biggest and easiest improvement you can make to your lights and it costs buttons.
Greybeard

This thread was discussed between 04/11/2023 and 06/11/2023

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.