{"product_id":"empi-heavy-duty-aluminum-irs-side-cover-high-performance-transaxle-16-9905-0","title":"EMPI Heavy Duty Aluminum IRS Side Cover — High-Torque Transaxle Reinforcement | VW Type 1 (16-9905-0)","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cb\u003eEMPI Heavy Duty Aluminum IRS Side Cover — High-Torque Transaxle Reinforcement (16-9905-0)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cb\u003eEMPI Heavy Duty Aluminum IRS Side Cover\u003c\/b\u003e is a critical reinforcement for air-cooled Volkswagen enthusiasts running high-horsepower or high-torque engines. While factory stamped-steel covers are prone to flexing under load, this \u003cb\u003eheavy-duty aluminum alloy\u003c\/b\u003e unit provides the structural rigidity necessary to \u003cb\u003ebrace the ring gear\u003c\/b\u003e and maintain precise gear mesh, significantly reducing the risk of catastrophic transaxle failure in performance street and off-road applications.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCast with additional material thickness in high-stress areas, it is a \u003cb\u003edirect bolt-on upgrade\u003c\/b\u003e that strengthens the weakest point of the transaxle case without requiring extensive modifications.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eVehicle Fitment\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVW Beetle (IRS):\u003c\/b\u003e 1968–1979\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVW Super Beetle:\u003c\/b\u003e 1971–1979\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVW Karmann Ghia (IRS):\u003c\/b\u003e 1969 and later\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVW Type 3 (IRS):\u003c\/b\u003e 1969 and later\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhy Choose EMPI?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEMPI is one of the most trusted names in air-cooled VW performance. This heavy-duty side cover is engineered to address a well-known weak point of the stock transaxle, giving high-output builds the added case rigidity they need.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Benefits\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBraces the ring gear:\u003c\/b\u003e Prevents thrust movement and gear separation under load.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHeavy-duty construction:\u003c\/b\u003e Cast with extra material thickness in high-stress areas.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDirect bolt-on:\u003c\/b\u003e Strengthens the transaxle case with no extensive modifications.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePerformance ready:\u003c\/b\u003e Ideal for high-horsepower street and off-road applications.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/b\u003e High-tensile H.D. aluminum alloy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eFunction:\u003c\/b\u003e Braces the ring gear to prevent thrust movement and gear separation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCompatibility:\u003c\/b\u003e IRS transaxles (Beetle, Super Beetle, Karmann Ghia, Type 3)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eFinish:\u003c\/b\u003e Raw aluminum alloy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSold as:\u003c\/b\u003e Individually (one side cover)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePart Number:\u003c\/b\u003e 16-9905-0\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDoes this fit swing axle transaxles?\u003c\/b\u003e No. This side cover is designed specifically for IRS (Independent Rear Suspension) transaxles.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eIs it sold as a pair?\u003c\/b\u003e No, it is sold individually as one side cover.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDoes it require modifications to install?\u003c\/b\u003e No. It is a direct bolt-on upgrade that does not require extensive modifications.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eExplore Related Categories\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/transaxle-components\"\u003eTransaxle Components\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/drivetrain-transmission\"\u003eDrivetrain \u0026amp; Transmission\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/vw-beetle\"\u003eVW Beetle\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"EMPI","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44899684843635,"sku":"16-9905-0","price":95.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/2760\/1523\/files\/16-9905-0-500x389.jpg?v=1777275071","url":"https:\/\/www.washburnsmetal.com\/products\/empi-heavy-duty-aluminum-irs-side-cover-high-performance-transaxle-16-9905-0","provider":"Washburn's Metal","version":"1.0","type":"link"}