EMPI Adjustable IRS Spring Plates: 6-1/8" Collar for 26-9/16" Torsion Bars, 1968–1971 Type 1 & Type 3 (Pair) | 17-2674-0

Early IRS Beetles and Type 3s came with a dual spring plate setup. Setting ride height on it means working in spline increments, and many of those original plates are now more than 50 years old. EMPI's Adjustable Spring Plate, IRS Suspension (17-2674-0) replaces the dual spring plate style on 1968–1971 Type 1 and Type 3 IRS cars. It gives you about 2 inches of ride-height adjustment once installed (per JBugs), so you can set and level the rear of the car without re-indexing the torsion bars every time. It has a 6-1/8" collar for the 26-9/16" torsion bars and is sold as a matched pair with a silver painted finish.

Whether you are fixing a sagging corner on an original Beetle, setting a lowered stance, or building a raised Baja on the IRS chassis, adjustable plates let you fine-tune height with the adjuster instead of re-indexing splines.

Fitment

• VW Beetle (Type 1), IRS: 1968–1971
• VW Karmann Ghia, IRS: 1968–1971 (per JBugs)
• VW Type 3, IRS: 1968–1971
• Replaces the factory dual spring plate style. For 1972–1979 Beetles see the EMPI Adjustable IRS Spring Plates for 1972–1979 Beetles (18-1075-0).

Features

• Replaces the dual-plate style on 1968–1971 Type 1 and Type 3 IRS cars (per EMPI)
• Adjustable ride height: about 2" of adjustment once installed, with no torsion bar re-indexing needed for fine changes
• Side-to-side leveling: each plate adjusts on its own
• 6-1/8" collar for 26-9/16" bars
• Silver painted finish
• Matched pair: left and right plates supplied together, from EMPI, with its own UPC for clean parts tracking

Technical Specifications

Which Spring Plate Do I Need?

Spring plates are sold by three measurements, and all three have to match your car:

1. Swing axle or IRS. Swing-axle cars (the axle tubes pivot at the transaxle) and IRS cars (independent rear suspension with CV-jointed drive shafts and diagonal trailing arms) use different spring plates. This listing is for IRS only.
2. Torsion bar length. EMPI builds its spring plates around three rear torsion bar lengths: 21-3/4", 24-11/16" and 26-9/16".
3. Collar length. The collar is matched to the bar length in EMPI's range: a 1-1/4" collar goes with 21-3/4" bars, a 4-1/4" collar with 24-11/16" bars, and a 6-1/8" collar with 26-9/16" bars.

If you are not sure what is in your car, measure the torsion bars you are running, or send us your year, model and whether the car has been modified, and we will help you match the right part before you order.

Installation Notes

• Spring plate work involves stored torsion-bar spring force. Support the car safely on stands, and relieve the spring plate load with a jack before removing the spring plate cover. If you have not done this job before, a shop that knows air-cooled VW suspension is the safe choice.
• Fit new spring plate bushings of the correct inside diameter (listed in the specifications above). Stock rubber bushings will not fit these adjustable plates. Use 2" ID inner and 1-7/8" ID outer bushings in urethane or rubber.
• Tighten all spring plate, cover and trailing arm hardware to the torque values in your factory or reputable repair manual.
• Any change to rear ride height changes rear camber and toe. Have a professional alignment done after installation and after any significant height change.
• Depending on which original spring plate setup your car had, spacers may be needed at the spring plate cover. The EMPI 5mm Spring Plate Cover Spacer Kit (00-9586-0) is one option. Wheel spacers may also be needed for clearance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which cars do the EMPI 17-2674-0 spring plates fit?

EMPI lists them for 1968–1971 Type 1 and 1968–1971 Type 3 IRS cars, replacing the dual spring plate style. JBugs also lists 1968–1971 Karmann Ghia. They have a 6-1/8" collar for 26-9/16" torsion bars and are sold as a pair.

How much ride-height adjustment do they give?

JBugs lists about 2 inches of adjustment once installed, so you can set height and level side to side without re-indexing the torsion bar splines.

What is the difference between 17-2674-0 and 18-1075-0?

Both are EMPI adjustable IRS spring plates for 26-9/16" torsion bars with a 6-1/8" collar. EMPI lists 17-2674-0 for 1968–1971 Type 1 and Type 3 and says it replaces the dual spring plate style. For a 1972–1979 Beetle, see 18-1075-0.

What bushings do I need?

Stock rubber bushings will not fit. Use 2" inside-diameter inner bushings and 1-7/8" inside-diameter outer bushings, in urethane or rubber.

Will I need spacers?

Possibly. Depending on which original spring plate setup your car had, spacers may be needed at the spring plate cover. Wheel spacers may also be needed for clearance.

Is this a good alternative to Sway-A-Way spring plates?

It fits the same application as a 6-1/8" collar IRS adjustable plate such as Sway-A-Way SAW-5203: IRS rear suspension, 6-1/8" collar, 26-9/16" torsion bars, adjustable ride height. For a 1968–1971 Type 1 or Type 3 with the dual-plate style, EMPI 17-2674-0 covers the same job.

What finish do they have?

Silver painted, per JBugs and SS Aircooled. V-Dub Store lists them as painted.

Do I need an alignment after installing?

Yes. Changing rear ride height changes rear camber and toe, so have the car professionally aligned after installation.

Related Parts

Prefer a fixed heavy-duty plate for the same bars? See the EMPI Heavy-Duty IRS Spring Plates, 6-1/8" collar (17-2667-0). For 1972–1979 Beetles, see the EMPI Adjustable IRS Spring Plates for 1972–1979 Beetles (18-1075-0).

California Proposition 65

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. (Warning published by EMPI for this part.)