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Wed Oct 12, 2011 12:18 am

bugnut68 wrote: Franz wrote: GERMANAIRE wrote: Can somebody say whats going on there!!!!
Are they Good or are they Bad what is it.
Shed some light I know they are not the BBT ones but what is it!
Help a Brotha out the suspense is killing me..

They are great. The new empi wheels are exactly the same as the flat 4 wheels. Flat 4 must have made a deal with Empi.

All these guys that are trashing the Empi name a retarded. 95% of the products that Empi offers are fine, and the exact same product that many other companys sell. How many of you have opened a Empi catalog lately? Mahle, Bosch, Engle, Weber, Solex, KEP, KYB, VDO, Auto Meter, Race Trim, Deist, and Wilwood are a few of the bigger name products that you'll find in there.

You obviously have not been burned by the shittiest of the shitty. 95 percent is fine? Where did you come up with this figure? Lol. Empi/Mr. Bug does not have an original idea in their head, take a look at their carburetors. The 51.1 EPC was done years ago by quality companies like Jaycee and Berg, among others, and it's taken them this long to copycat the concept.

Empi whored their parts to a very cheap automotive demographic, which is why the level of quality in the VW industry is so piss poor. And my opinion stands for Empi products, not all the other bullshit they distribute.
My opinion also stands for their shitty-ass customer service; they don't stand behind their products for shit; I'm pretty sure John Connolly has commented on this fact in other threads.

Actually the 44 HPMX carb is a great little piece.....they copied the Weber designs outright and made improvements....( I think the copyrights expired or something like that because it's pretty much an exact copy)..from what I've read, Art Thraen is selling an HPMX that he has further improved ......... Empi has heard the noise for quite a few years now and are starting to make changes...for the better.....give em props...their wheels are quality......

I'm torn between wheels, three are Empi reproductions. This is them in the order that I'm favoring them at the moment---

1.)---4-lug BRM-black with polished lip

2.)---Gas Burner-black and polished

3.)---Porsche 2 liter-black with polished spokes and lip

4.)---4-lug Sprint Stars- black and polished, of course

Wed Oct 12, 2011 1:35 am

They didn't buy squat, they copied the design, Weber still makes carbs in Spain why would they sell the design?

Wed Oct 12, 2011 2:53 am

66brm wrote: They didn't buy squat, they copied the design, Weber still makes carbs in Spain why would they sell the design?

They took a squat...

Yes, they copied the Weber IDF design...

...and, I can't quite remember what I read about that......maybe it had something to do with expiring patents?

Wed Oct 12, 2011 6:40 am

66brm wrote: They didn't buy squat, they copied the design, Weber still makes carbs in Spain why would they sell the design?
And you've gotten your information from where? :roll:

**Since 1970, many guitar manufacturers have copied the "Les Paul" (and other) design. Did Gibson quit making Les Pauls? From about the same period many guitar manufacturers have copied the Stratocaster design. Has Fender discontinued Strats? Just two examples of comparison. I'm not promoting anybody. Just making a sound and factual statement. If you can back up your allegation with facts, I'd be more than happy to read.

Wed Oct 12, 2011 6:46 am

Soul_VW wrote: RicFlat4 wrote: But there's much to be said about having a wheelset from the original company (EMPI)... specially of such a quality production.
Rick

I agree that they look nice but EMPI was not the originator of the BRM, Speedwell was the originator

Another "notable" observation :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

Wed Oct 12, 2011 8:32 am

Root_Werks just put new EMPI/Weber 40's on the 2275 in his Monster Squareback. He has it running good and is swapping the engine into his new SP2 from Brazil! I'm running the metal EMPI badge the PO glued on my hatch. :D

Wed Oct 12, 2011 9:44 am

I'll fully admit that I've heard nothing but good feedback in recent months on the new EMPI wheels.. but I stand by my previous comments that EMPI is simply operating on the 'copycat' way of doing business.
My last conversation with the guys at ACE (Art Thraen's biz) indicated that the new EMPI carbs still have issues out of the box and they need to be gone through to fully function well... my thought on that is why spend the money to improve a brand new carb when you can get a good used set of Italian or Spanish Webers and have the same or better end result?
You might save on the initial purchase price, but once you pay to have them gone through, you're really not saving much in the way of money... and my skepticism comes from EMPI's track record when it comes to longevity on their parts.
If EMPI's quality is on the upswing and they're truly improving their product quality, my hat is off to them. For me, at this point it really doesn't matter, as right now I'm not buying VW parts of any kind because my POS 2017 build has pissed me off to the point that I'm walking away from any and all VW related projects until I can either A) afford $900 for a brand new machined case or B) decide I want to walk away until I can afford to do things right.

Wed Oct 12, 2011 10:25 am

This thread is about wheels...
However, I want to make this last response with regard to "quality" and "usability" (regardless of make): It is NOT uncommon for carburetors to require cleaning, jetting, etc. out of the box (same with used). I know what Art does and I know what EMPI does (as well as many others).
Now, back to our regularly scheduled discussion about wheels..............

Wed Oct 12, 2011 12:26 pm

garyj wrote: Soul_VW wrote: RicFlat4 wrote: But there's much to be said about having a wheelset from the original company (EMPI)... specially of such a quality production.
Rick

I agree that they look nice but EMPI was not the originator of the BRM, Speedwell was the originator

Another "notable" observation :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

Oh, thanks.........Sarcasm isn't your strong suit 8)

Wed Oct 12, 2011 2:15 pm

Soul_VW wrote: garyj wrote: Soul_VW wrote: RicFlat4 wrote: But there's much to be said about having a wheelset from the original company (EMPI)... specially of such a quality production.
Rick

I agree that they look nice but EMPI was not the originator of the BRM, Speedwell was the originator

Another "notable" observation :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

Oh, thanks.........Sarcasm isn't your strong suit 8)

Apparently, your range of expertise is in "sarcasm". Maybe you your knowledge and critiquing of sarcasm would be better well served on the "Sarcasm Forum". Cheers!

Wed Oct 12, 2011 3:56 pm

garyj wrote: Soul_VW wrote: garyj wrote: Soul_VW wrote: RicFlat4 wrote: But there's much to be said about having a wheelset from the original company (EMPI)... specially of such a quality production.
Rick

I agree that they look nice but EMPI was not the originator of the BRM, Speedwell was the originator

Another "notable" observation :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

Oh, thanks.........Sarcasm isn't your strong suit 8)

Apparently, your range of expertise is in "sarcasm". Maybe you your knowledge and critiquing of sarcasm would be better well served on the "Sarcasm Forum". Cheers!

I'd agree with you but then we'd both be wrong

Sun May 06, 2012 4:33 pm

Wow, this is good stuff....I envision these pissed off guy clicking away at their keyboards frothing at the mouth looking like a Rhodesian Ridgeback.

So just to fuel the flames a little...here is a picture of my CIP knockoffs of the Empi wide 5. These can be bought for $73 a piece. Nothing but the best...or at least a cheap copy of it.

Let the poo flinging begin.

Gordo.

Mon May 07, 2012 8:29 pm

I wish those came in a Porsche bolt pattern.
Ron

Tue May 08, 2012 7:00 pm

Seems like there are two kinds of aftermarket wheels, early and late. The early ones are super expensive and the later ones are not. Some look really cool and some don't. I've had both. Turns out, they both hold tires, none of them has cracked, bent for no reason, come apart or spontaneously combusted. So, I would say the quality of the new ones is as good as the old ones. :D [/u]

Wed May 09, 2012 8:39 pm

I am a VW newbie. Just got a 67 Kombi Deluxe. Has anyone tried the new Empi Dish 5 slot wheels and on the stock drums? Should they bolt in directly or are modifications required?

I also ordered a set of 195/65/R15 tires so I can get this bus rolling.

Looking for guidence and suggestions from the seasoned folks.

Thu May 10, 2012 11:01 am

I'm pretty sure your drums on a 67 are 5x205 "wide five" bolt pattern so as long as the rims are 5x205 they should work...i'm pretty sure.

Sun May 20, 2012 12:49 pm

stephengandy wrote: I am a VW newbie. Just got a 67 Kombi Deluxe. Has anyone tried the new Empi Dish 5 slot wheels and on the stock drums? Should they bolt in directly or are modifications required?

I also ordered a set of 195/65/R15 tires so I can get this bus rolling.

Looking for guidence and suggestions from the seasoned folks.

They fit like a glove. The rear center cap wouldn't pop on unless the cotter pin, retaining the spindal nut, was just right.

They look good.