I wanna upgrade the crappy H4 globes that my Wipac halogen conversion came with 3 years ago. Now higher wattage globes will be illegal and could melt the reflector, right?

What about standard globes, would something like the Narva +50 (approx $30 from repco for a pair) be ok compared to the very expensive performance globes? What else is available?

I have much higher wattage globes in my H4 conversions in each of the cars, the Morris 1100s, the mini and the HQ tonner. Each has a relay and we havn't had any problems to date. Its been three odd years since they were done.

I would have to go and pull a bulb to be sure but i think they are 120 / 90 maybe 120 / 70 and they came from an ordinary motor spares place.

55 watt low beam is the maximum you're legally allowed to use, and is the highest recommended for cheaper polycarbonate lights but your Wipacs should be fine. I run Philips + 30% 55/60 watt globes in the Mini, picked them up on special 2 for $15 at Autobahn. No complaints, they are really good. Before that I was running 80/100 watt globes and I don't think they were much better. I also run a better Philips + 50% 55/60 watter in my motorbike and it is fantastic. Cost a bit more though, about $25 each from memory.

Okay
maybe your right about the legalities - most of my driving is rural and I am more interested in spotting roos on the road than legalities.

The lows don't seem much different than normal bulbs but the highs certainly light up the road.

Yeah 55w low beam is the 'law' but I bet it doesn't get policed as much on country roads as it does in the city. And anyway, +50% 55w globes are probably just as likely to dazzle oncoming cars as an 80w globe is. I like them mainly because they put less stress on my alternator.