EMPI Serpentine Belt Pulley System | Air-Cooled VW Type 1 Upright Engines | Polished, Black, Red or Blue Billet Aluminum (17-2811-0)

EMPI Serpentine Belt Pulley System for Air-Cooled VW Type 1 Engines

The stock VW V-belt is the weak link on an air-cooled engine. It stretches, it squeals, and if it jumps off at high rpm the cooling fan stops with it. The EMPI Serpentine Belt Pulley System replaces it with a modern 5-rib serpentine belt running on CNC-machined billet aluminum pulleys and an adjustable idler. The ribbed belt grips across its full width, so it runs quieter and smoother, lasts longer and holds on at high rpm, which is why EMPI calls it a must for hi-revving engines. It bolts to your existing alternator/generator stand. There's no case machining and no welding.

Pick your finish from the menu: mirror-polished, black anodized, red anodized or blue anodized. The pulleys are machined the same way in every finish. Each one has permanent laser-etched numbers that won't wear off like paint.

Key Features & Benefits

• Serpentine drive: a 5-rib, 5/8 in wide poly-V belt (EMPI 17-2811-1, size 5PK918) replaces the stock V-belt. It has more contact area and less slip.
• Adjustable idler pulley: belt tension is set at the idler, not by stacking shims behind the generator pulley half as on a stock setup.
• More cooling air: the crank pulley is about 6-3/4 in and the alternator/generator pulley about 3-3/4 in. That spins the fan roughly 1.8 turns per crank revolution, against about 1.69 stock (JBugs). You get more airflow through the fan shroud for a small extra power draw.
• Laser-etched timing numbers on the crank pulley. Set and check ignition timing with a timing light.
• Bolt-on: mounts to the alternator/generator stand with the hardware supplied. It works with a generator or an alternator.
• Billet aluminum: CNC-machined, lighter than the stock stamped-steel and cast pulleys, and it looks the part on a show engine.
• Genuine EMPI. Washburn's Metal is an authorized EMPI dealer.

Choose Your Finish

Performance is the same in every finish, so choose the one that suits your engine bay. Polished aluminum can be brought back with metal polish. Anodized finishes resist fingerprints and are easier to keep clean on a daily driver or a buggy that sees dirt.

Fitment

This kit fits all VW Type 1 (upright-fan) engine cases, 1200 to 1600cc and stroker builds on the same case, with a bolt-on alternator/generator stand.

• VW Beetle 1961–1977
• VW Super Beetle 1971–1976
• VW Karmann Ghia 1961–1974
• VW Bus / Type 2 1961–1971 (Type 1 engine)
• VW Thing (Type 181) 1973–1974
• Dune buggies, Baja Bugs, sand rails, Manx-style and trikes running a Type 1 engine

Does NOT fit: early engines with a fixed (cast-in) generator stand, Type 3 "pancake" engines, Type 4 engines (including 1972-and-later Bus 1.7–2.0L and 914), or water-cooled VWs. If you're not sure what's in your car, send us a photo of the front of the engine and we'll tell you before you buy.

What's in the Kit

These are the parts EMPI's installation instructions call for:

• Serpentine crankshaft pulley with laser-etched timing numbers, crank bolt and washer
• Serpentine alternator/generator pulley with woodruff key, nut and washer
• Idler bracket with idler pulley (sealed bearings)
• Two replacement alternator stand studs, plus 8mm-1.25 nuts and washers
• 5-rib serpentine belt

Technical Specifications

• Manufacturer: EMPI
• Part Numbers: 17-2811-0 polished, 17-2911-0 black, 18-1071-0 red, 18-1070-0 blue
• Material: CNC-machined billet aluminum
• Crank pulley OD: approx. 6-3/4 in (177mm)
• Alternator/generator pulley OD: approx. 3-3/4 in (95mm)
• Drive ratio: approx. 1 : 1.8 (factory approx. 1 : 1.69)
• Belt: 5-rib, 5/8 in (15.875mm) wide, 918mm. EMPI replacement 17-2811-1, ref. 5PK918
• Idler bearings: sealed. EMPI replacement pair 17-2811-B
• Sold As: Kit
• Shipping Weight: 4 lb
• Package Dimensions: 13 x 9 x 2.5 in

Installation Notes

This is a driveway job with hand tools. Here is an outline of EMPI's instructions:

1. Remove the alternator/generator and crank pulleys, then the alternator and its stand.
2. Remove the two front stand studs and thread the new kit studs all the way down into the case.
3. Refit the stand with the new idler bracket: ears facing down, idler pulley toward the left side of the engine. Secure it with the supplied 8mm-1.25 nuts and washers (12mm wrench).
4. Refit the alternator. Fit the crank pulley with the new bolt and washer, use Loctite on the bolt, and torque it to factory spec.
5. Fit the alternator pulley with the supplied woodruff key, raised hub facing out. Make sure the key stays level in its groove, then torque it to factory spec.
6. Loosen the idler, slide it left, and route the belt with the idler on the outside. Slide the idler right to tension it to about 3/8 in of side-to-side free play.

Shop tips: set timing again with a timing light after install, because your old pulley's notch is gone. Check that the belt sits squarely on all three pulleys. Then check tension again after the first heat cycle. A belt that's too tight is the fastest way to wear out the idler and alternator bearings.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Will this fit my 1970 Beetle? Yes, provided it still has a Type 1 upright engine with the bolt-on alternator/generator stand, which every 1961–1977 Beetle has from the factory.
• Does it work with a generator or only an alternator? Both. It bolts to the alternator/generator stand, and the kit pulley fits either one with the supplied woodruff key.
• Is the belt included? Yes. The kit comes with its 5-rib belt. EMPI 17-2811-1 is the replacement, and it's worth keeping a spare in the car.
• Will my engine run cooler? The smaller top pulley spins the fan about 6% faster than stock (about 1.8 vs 1.69 turns per crank revolution), which moves more air. It also takes slightly more horsepower to drive.
• Do I have to remove the alternator stand? Per EMPI's instructions, yes. The two front stand studs are replaced and the idler bracket mounts under the stand.
• Is the polished one better than the anodized ones? No. The machining and performance are the same. Only the finish differs.
• The black one shows sold out. Can I still get it? Black is currently backordered at EMPI. Contact us and we'll let you know as soon as it's back.
• Can I replace the idler bearings? Yes. EMPI sells a sealed bearing pair, 17-2811-B, for these kits.
• Are you an authorized EMPI dealer? Yes. Washburn's Metal is an authorized EMPI dealer, and this is a new, genuine EMPI kit.

Explore Related Categories

Building out an air-cooled engine? Browse the full EMPI Parts catalog, Engine Parts, VW Beetle Parts, Dune Buggy & Manx Parts and All Air-Cooled VW.

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.