EMPI Classic Dune Buggy Exhaust | VW Type 1 Open Chassis | Polished 304 Stainless Steel (00-3381-0)
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EMPI Classic Dune Buggy Exhaust — Polished 304 Stainless Steel (00-3381-0)
This is the mirror-finish version of EMPI's classic buggy exhaust — the reconfigured TIG-welded collector, the deep and mellow note, the same proven system, built from polished 304 stainless steel. If you have spent the money on a clean chassis and you want the exhaust to look like part of the build rather than an afterthought, this is the one.
Designed in SolidWorks by EMPI's engineering team, the reconfigured collector cuts back pressure while the 1½" mandrel-bent tubing keeps flow up and ground clearance intact. Slip-fit joints let the system settle onto different engine widths without a fight.
Why Polished 304 Stainless
EMPI builds this exhaust in two finishes, and the difference is finish and alloy — not performance.
- Polished 304 stainless (this listing, 00-3381-0): mirror finish on a higher chromium/nickel 304 alloy, with better corrosion resistance. The show-quality choice, and the one to pick if the buggy lives near salt air or sees winter roads.
- Brushed 204 stainless (00-3371-0): a satin-finish alternative that hides heat tint and trail scuffs. Not currently available — the polished 304SS system shown here is the one we stock.
Vehicle Fitment
- Open-chassis VW Type 1 engines (1300–2110cc) in dune buggies, sand rails, Manx-style buggies and woods buggies.
- Stripped Beetle pans running open exhaust (no body / no heater channels).
- Kit cars built on a VW Type 1 chassis.
- NOT compatible with heater boxes — this is an open-exhaust system for buggies, not street-driven Beetles that need cabin heat.
Key Features & Benefits
- Polished 304 Stainless: mirror finish with 304-grade corrosion resistance — it stays bright with basic care.
- Mandrel-Bent Tubing: 1½" mandrel bends hold full cross-section through every turn for flow and clearance.
- Reconfigured TIG-Welded Collector: reduced back pressure and a deep, mellow tone rather than a raspy one.
- Slip-Fit Joints: accommodate different engine widths and make installation straightforward.
- Maximum Clearance Design: routed to keep pipes up and out of the way on open chassis.
- Complete Kit: heat risers, gaskets and all mounting hardware included.
Technical Specifications
- Part Number: 00-3381-0
- UPC: 707924548631
- Brand: EMPI
- Material / Finish: 304 stainless steel, polished
- Tubing: 1½" mandrel-bent
- Construction: SolidWorks CAD-designed, TIG-welded collector
- Joints: Slip-fit
- Engine Range: VW Type 1, 1300–2110cc
- Heater Boxes: Not compatible
- Included: Heat risers, gaskets, mounting hardware
- Shipping Weight: 24 lbs
- Carton: 34 × 11.5 × 9 in
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between this and the brushed 00-3371-0? Finish and alloy only. This one is polished 304 stainless with a mirror finish and better corrosion resistance; the brushed version is satin-finish 204 stainless. Both are the same exhaust dimensionally and perform identically. The brushed version is not currently available.
- Will this fit a stock Beetle with heater boxes? No — this is a buggy exhaust and is not compatible with heater boxes. If you need cabin heat you need a different header system.
- What engine sizes work? VW Type 1 engines from 1300cc up through 2110cc stroker builds. Works with stock-port and ported heads.
- Will it fit a Manx body? Yes — designed for open-chassis applications including Manx-style and Manx-clone buggies.
- How loud is it? Deep and mellow, not raspy. Clearly louder than a stock muffler but not race-loud — most owners call it the right sound for a buggy.
- Will the polish discolour near the heads? Stainless will take on some heat colour close to the ports with use — that is normal for any stainless system. The 304 alloy holds its shine better than 204 and cleans up with stainless polish.
- What's included for install? Heat risers, gaskets and all mounting hardware. Basic hand tools and roughly 1–2 hours.
Installation
Fit the system loosely first — slip joints let the pipes find their own alignment across different engine widths. Start every flange nut by hand, seat the head flanges evenly with new gaskets, then work back through the slip joints and tighten from the heads outward so nothing is pulled into a bind. Handle the polished tubing with clean gloves during install; fingerprints bake in. Because this is an open system with no heater boxes, plan your carburettor preheat separately if the buggy is driven in cold weather.
⚠ WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.