VW Bug Exhaust Nuts — EMPI Brass Intake & Exhaust Nuts, M8 x 1.25, 11mm Hex, Set of 8 | Air-Cooled Type 1 & Type 3 1954–1979 (43-6051-0)
Couldn't load pickup availability
EMPI Brass Intake & Exhaust Nuts — M8 x 1.25, 11mm Hex, Set of 8 (43-6051-0)
EMPI 43-6051-0 is a set of eight brass M8 x 1.25 intake and exhaust nuts with a compact 11mm hex for air-cooled VW Type 1 and Type 3 engines — Beetle, Super Beetle, Karmann Ghia, Thing, Bus with a Type 1 engine through 1971 and Type 1 buggies. Brass won't rust-weld to the stud, and the small hex clears big-tube headers where a stock 13mm nut won't go.
Part numbers: EMPI 43-6051-0 · 43-6051 · 6051 · bag of 100: 43-6051-B · single nut: 43-6051-6 · UPC 707924364743
Fitment
| Years | Vehicle | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1954–1979 | VW Beetle | M8 x 1.25 exhaust and intake studs |
| 1971–1979 | VW Super Beetle | |
| 1956–1974 | VW Karmann Ghia | |
| 1973–1974 | VW Thing | |
| 1954–1971 | VW Type 2 Bus | Type 1 engine |
| 1962–1973 | VW Type 3 | Type 3 (pancake) engines with M8 x 1.25 exhaust studs |
| All | Dune buggy, Baja, sand rail | Type 1 engine |
| Not confirmed | Type 4 engines (1972–1979 Bus, 914) | Check your stud thread before you order |
| Not confirmed | Porsche 356 and 912; heads converted to 10mm or 3/8 in studs |
EMPI publishes no vehicle list for this part, so the fitment is based on the thread size plus dealer listings. This includes stock heads and aftermarket heads that use M8 x 1.25 exhaust studs.
Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Part number | EMPI 43-6051-0 |
| Thread | M8 x 1.25 |
| Hex (wrench) size | 11mm |
| Material | Brass |
| Quantity | Set of 8 |
| UPC | 707924364743 |
| Country of origin | China |
| Shipping weight | 0.13 lb |
| Package dimensions | 6 x 5 x 1 in |
What's Included
- 8 brass M8 x 1.25 nuts, 11mm hex
Why It Matters
Every air-cooled VW owner has snapped an exhaust stud, or will. A plated steel nut rusts onto a steel stud sitting on a 400-degree head, and the next time the exhaust comes off, the stud comes with it. Brass resists rust and thread seizing, and the 11mm hex — about 2mm smaller than the stock nut — clears big-tube headers and tight dual-carb manifold flanges.
Installation Notes
Chase the stud threads with an M8 x 1.25 die or thread file first. A rough stud will gall a brass nut.
Brass is softer than steel. Snug the nuts evenly in a crisscross pattern to the factory torque for your engine, and don't lean on a long ratchet.
Use new exhaust port gaskets every time the exhaust comes off, and re-check the nuts after the first few heat cycles.
If a stud is already pulled or damaged, fix the stud before you fit new nuts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will EMPI brass exhaust nuts fit my 1970 VW Beetle?
Yes, if your exhaust and intake studs are the standard M8 x 1.25 thread used on air-cooled VW Type 1 heads and manifolds. The nut is the same thread as stock, with a smaller 11mm hex.
Why use brass exhaust nuts instead of the stock nuts?
Brass does not rust onto a steel stud, so the nut comes off next time instead of snapping the stud out of the head. The smaller 11mm hex also clears large-diameter header tubes where a 13mm stock nut and socket will not fit.
What wrench size do the 43-6051-0 nuts take?
An 11mm socket or wrench. A thin-wall or 1/4-inch-drive 11mm socket works best in tight header flanges.
Can I use them on the intake manifold too?
Yes. EMPI sells them as intake/exhaust nuts, and they are commonly used to hold dual-carb intake manifolds down where clearance is tight.
How many exhaust nuts does a Type 1 engine need?
A Type 1 engine has 8 exhaust-port studs (2 per port), so one set of 8 does a complete exhaust. Intake manifolds need their own set.
Explore Related Categories
Working on the exhaust? Browse Exhaust Parts, slip-flange exhaust gaskets, All Air-Cooled VW Parts and the full EMPI Parts catalog.
Prop 65 Warning
⚠ 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. All parts legal for use on pre-pollution controlled vehicles only.
