empi: I'm a convert....(in one sense of the word)

tronstones

Reading numerous posts over the last couple months of working on my 71 std, I noticed alot of people (practically everyone), bad mouthing empi. I tried to avoid their products based on the consensus from the samba, but I am also one who feels that people are innocent until proven guilty. Unfortunately empi is hard to avoid in certain categories, so I got the chance to try out their products in those circumstances. Now, after receiving a handful of empi parts over the last couple months I can say with assurance.

empi = poop

Everything I've ordered from shocks to carb spacer, to running boards......are all ok quality, but NOTHING fits like it should. Either holes are slightly misplaced, studs on the shock were not threaded thoroughly.....blah blah blah

I can honestly say I am in complete agreement when you guys bad mouth them. carry on, lol

ronbdavis · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 6:52 pm Post subject:

Always nice to save folks time or money by informing them about your experience with bad products. I too have not read anything good [ever] about their products--at least nothing produced in the last several years.

(Edit) Come to think of it, does TheSamba have any kind of recommended vendor/manufacturer list for various parts? For example, I've read SewFine and TMI are good for interior fabrics.

obo1302 · Samba Member Joined: July 01, 2008 Posts: 84

What about the 8 spoke wheels? Is the quality poor as well?
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1972 Baja Champion SE Super Beetle

Mark33563 · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 7:30 pm Post subject:

Glenn · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 7:35 pm Post subject:

jmsmilin · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 7:41 pm Post subject:

jacobjordan24 · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 7:41 pm Post subject:

the only thing that ive bought made by empi that hasnt rusted or been broken is a STICKER

EMPI stands for made in china with pot metal
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72 Super Beetle in progress

tronstones · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 8:40 pm Post subject:

actually, I have the 8 spoke wheels as well, and those ride great. That is empi's saving grace.

tuna · Samba Member Joined: October 04, 2004 Posts: 475

I could be wrong, but the current EMPI (which is part of the Mr. Bug company) does not make the wheels. The majority of the "8-spoke" wheels you see today were made by American Eagle and are pretty good.

The original EMPI (which went out of business in '71) made the original 8-spoke wheel. It was a 2-piece wheel (the rim halves bolted together), with a bolt-on center cap, and it was offered in many different diameters and bolt patterns.
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werksberg · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 12:29 pm Post subject:

werksberg · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 7:39 pm Post subject:

What also is ironic is that the original Empi (Vittones) parts were made in Tiawan as Joe started the whole importing parts from China area.... Rolling Eyes

But at lest those parts were made properly!
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fastinradford · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 8:02 pm Post subject:

Only thing I have bought from empi was a merged exhaust, it was fine.

Traded it a few months later, had minor rust for the midwest-ish/east coast area driving.

Although I am not opposed to the idea of an empi trigger shifter.

ach60 · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 10:50 pm Post subject:

Anything made by EMPI up to about '75 is good stuff.
I remember building a couple of Baja Bugs in the late 70's and real early 80's.
What I remember most about them was that almost everything I bought from
aftermarket suppliers required some amount of clean up, rework, or
general messing with to get it to work correctly, or look worth a damned.
I think the one exception was the Jackman Wheels I put on the '67 Baja.
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jbbrown · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 5:05 pm Post subject: Empi

I purchased my 74 Westy to park next to my 73 Super. I can tell you that the EMPI dual carbs that were installed new when I bought it were pretty good. it wasn't until reading a tech advice column in VW Camper and Commercial (UK) that I learned that one of the elbows that was sold with the kit was causing my engine seals to puke out of every orifice. $3.25 later and 10,000 miles of leak free driving later I am convinced that it was pure ignorance on EMPI's part that they continue to sell these Carb Kits with inadequate hardware. A random reading of that article came after me having spent well over a thousand dollars chasing other potential causes of my woes ex: Oil Gallery plugs, Rear main Seal, Push rod seals... Evil or Very Mad

. Kind of made my blood boil. Evil or Very Mad

jmsmilin · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 7:04 pm Post subject: Re: Empi


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