TheSamba.com :: View topic

Fri Aug 29, 2008 3:22 pm

I constantly see the hate for EMPI products on these boards, and for good reason: the parts they make generally suck. But I was wondering if there ever was a time when EMPI actually made quality aftermarket parts for VW's. Wasn't there an official EMPI'd Beetle back in the 1960's?

Fri Aug 29, 2008 3:25 pm

Back in the 60's and early 70's they were innovators... now they are junk.

Fri Aug 29, 2008 4:29 pm

I think it went to hell when Joe sold it.

Max

Fri Aug 29, 2008 4:37 pm

I would like to have some of the old EMPI tools.
I have looked all over for the valve guide removal drill bit.

Fri Aug 29, 2008 5:14 pm

EMPI "brand" was sold to the "Lee Eliminator Group" in the late 70's.
Once that happened Lee basically sold EMPI crap until the VW mass market disappeared in the early 80's.
The EMPI brand was crap once Lee bought it.
Someone bought the EMPI name, and the EMPI products reappeared on the market but the products have unfortunately been Chinese crap.
This is too bad because EMPI name could have been marketed as a Premium VW Accessory Products in the same manner that Flat 4 does it with wheels & such.

Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:38 pm

Yeah I gotta agree that I'm not real impressed with EMPI parts at all. So far I have had good luck with scat and bug pack-for the most part. At least they come in a package the last few items I got fromEMPI came in a plastic bag with a 3" x 3" photo copied instructions. I just bought some chrome torsion covers and , well...... I guess technically they were chrome. I guess you get what ya pay for, huh.

Fri Oct 24, 2008 11:48 pm

I thought that Empi and Bugpack were basically the same stuff.....

My friend has a bunch of old school Empi stuff that is actually good. The manifolds for my Kads are Empi, and they're doing their job.

Fri Oct 24, 2008 11:59 pm

much of what bugpack sells is the same as empi.. believe it scats stuff come from china also.. been there seen it come off the boats,, seen it come out of the contanter and get wrap in plastic..

yep it's put in plastic in the USA.. so in a way it's made in the USA .. well part of it is.. LOL..

would you believ Maytag,, whrilpool, westinghouse made in china,,, you have a newer house ???

The wall plugs nails screws ,, wiring lights ...made in china... your sinks ,, crapper,, made in china, atleast you can take a dump chinense style..

Empi was good in the 60's ,, at the same time there was very few making any thing for a vw,, so what was good. ??? No back then it was not concidered top of the line ....

Sat Oct 25, 2008 8:11 am

Although most of their stuff is not worth the effort putting th part on, I have an empi 1 5/8th extractor that seems pretty high quality, not ceramic coated or anything, but pretty high quality for the price, I didnt have any issues with it, and it doesnt appear that it will give out anytime soon, but there is some stuff that is hard to make THAT BAD, ya know? How bad can you mess up an exhaust as long as it fits, doesnt leak, and isn't already rusting?

Sat Oct 25, 2008 8:46 am

Ya know I've bashed empi on here quite a bit. The only thing I bought that I can't complain about is the lowering struts and inserts. My exhaust isn't too shabby either, but the rest I've bought, trash can material. I won't buy from some local vendors cause that's the only shit they sell. I'll wait a week to get something good from utah (wink,wink) or cali instead of waiting a day wait putting mickey mouse garbage on my car.

Sat Oct 25, 2008 12:47 pm

Check out the center of the 8-spokers...actually a high quality sticker! :lol:

Sat Oct 25, 2008 1:11 pm

I have to give Joe Vittone Props On his Empi Camber Compensator. His innovation on Getting them mass produced and the fit amazes me to this day. The original Empi camber Compensator, in the newly Restored Configuration far out preforms the aftermarket that is being sold to this day.

Also I have give Joe Vittone Props as well---for being 80 plus Years old and married to a 20 something Kicken it Southern Baha Retired. YOU GO JOE!! 8)