EMPI Heater Box Delete J-Tubes, Pair | VW Type 1 & 2 Upright | 1-1/2" Black, 1-1/2" Ceramic Coated or 1-5/8" (00-3357-6 / 55-3357-0 / 00-3422-0)
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EMPI Heater Box Delete J-Tubes, Pair | VW Type 1 & 2 Upright Engines
EMPI J-tubes replace the heater boxes on VW Type 1 and Type 2 upright engines with two bent tubes from the cylinder heads to the muffler, sold as a left and right pair. Choose 1-1/2" black with gaskets (00-3357-6), 1-1/2" ceramic coated with gaskets (55-3357-0), or 1-5/8" (00-3422-0) for the EMPI 00-7320-0 header only. You lose cabin heat and defrost; clamps are sold separately.
Part numbers: EMPI 00-3357-6 / 00-3357-0 / short numbers 3357, 3657 (1-1/2" black) · EMPI 55-3357-0 (1-1/2" ceramic coated) · EMPI 00-3422-0 / 3422 (1-5/8") · UPCs 707924321302 / 707924244281 / 707924275285
Fitment
| Years | Vehicle | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| — | VW Beetle, Super Beetle (carbureted), Karmann Ghia, Thing | 1-1/2" versions; Type 1 upright engines with a stock-style muffler |
| 1950–1971 | VW Bus (upright engine) | 1-1/2" versions; Type 2 with upright engine |
| — | VW-powered dune buggies and Bajas | 1-1/2" versions |
| — | Type 1 engines with EMPI header 00-7320-0 | 1-5/8" version (00-3422-0) only |
| — | Does not fit: 1700–2000 Type 4 engine | |
| 1975–1979 | Does not fit: fuel-injected Beetle |
Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tube size | 1-1/2" (3357 series) or 1-5/8" (3422) |
| Sold as | Pair (left and right) |
| Clamps | Not included — sold separately |
Choose your J-tubes
| Variant | Description | UPC | Shipping weight / box |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00-3357-6 | 1-1/2", black, with gaskets, bagged pair. The standard heater-box delete for Type 1 and Type 2 upright engines. | 707924321302 | 4 lb — 20 x 10 x 3 in |
| 55-3357-0 | 1-1/2", ceramic coated, with gaskets, pair. High-temperature coating that resists rust and keeps more heat inside the tube. | 707924244281 | 3.75 lb — 24 x 6 x 4 in |
| 00-3422-0 | 1-5/8", for EMPI merged header 00-7320-0 only, pair. EMPI lists it as ceramic coated. | 707924275285 | 4.3 lb — 17.5 x 10 x 2.5 in |
What's included
- Left and right J-tube (pair)
- Gaskets (1-1/2" versions)
Not included: clamps, sold separately.
Why it matters
On a buggy, Baja, sand rail, race car or a Southern California street car, the heater boxes are just weight, rust and restriction. J-tubes are the classic first step in building a lighter, freer-breathing air-cooled engine.
The trade-off is real: J-tubes delete the heater boxes entirely, so you lose cabin heat and windshield defrost. If you still need heat with a performance exhaust, look at a high-performance heater box instead.
Installation notes
- Match the size to the muffler or header: 1-1/2" for a stock-style muffler, 1-5/8" only with EMPI header 00-7320-0.
- Order clamps separately; gaskets come with the 1-1/2" versions.
- Rules vary by state, and removing the heater can matter for defrost requirements on road cars. Check your local regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I still have heat with heater box delete J-tubes?
No. J-tubes replace the heater boxes, so there is no cabin heat or defrost.
Which size J-tubes do I need for my VW?
The 1-1/2 inch J-tubes fit Type 1 and 2 upright engines with a stock-style muffler. The 1-5/8 inch J-tubes are only for EMPI header 00-7320-0.
Are gaskets and clamps included with EMPI J-tubes?
Gaskets are included with the 1-1/2 inch versions. Clamps are sold separately.
Is the ceramic coating worth it?
It resists rust far better than paint and keeps more heat inside the pipe, which helps keep engine-bay temperatures down.
Do J-tubes fit a Type 4 engine or a fuel-injected Beetle?
No. They are not for the 1700–2000 Type 4 engine or the 1975–79 fuel-injected Beetle.
Are J-tubes street legal?
Rules vary by state, and removing the heater can matter for defrost requirements on road cars. Check your local regulations.
Related parts
California Proposition 65 WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including lead, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
