EMPI Serpentine Belt Pulley System | Air-Cooled VW Type 1 Upright Engines | Polished, Black, Red or Blue Billet Aluminum (17-2811-0)
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EMPI Serpentine Belt Pulley System for Air-Cooled VW Type 1 Engines (17-2811-0)
The EMPI serpentine belt pulley system replaces the stock VW V-belt on Type 1 upright engines with a 5-rib 918mm belt on CNC-machined billet aluminum pulleys and an adjustable idler. It bolts to the alternator/generator stand on Beetle 1961–1977, Super Beetle, Karmann Ghia 1961–1974, Bus 1961–1971, Thing 1973–1974 and Type 1 buggies. Polished 17-2811-0, black 17-2911-0, red 18-1071-0 or blue 18-1070-0; belt included.
Part numbers: Polished EMPI 17-2811-0 / 17-2811 / C13-17-2811 · Black 17-2911-0 / 17-2911 / C13-17-2911 · Red 18-1071-0 / 18-1071 / C13-18-1071 · Blue 18-1070-0 / 18-1070 / C13-18-1070 · Replacement belt 17-2811-1 (5PK918) · Idler bearing pair 17-2811-B
Fitment
| Years | Vehicle | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1961–1977 | VW Beetle | Type 1 upright engine, bolt-on alternator/generator stand |
| 1971–1979 | VW Super Beetle | Type 1 upright engine |
| 1961–1974 | VW Karmann Ghia | |
| 1961–1971 | VW Bus / Type 2 | Type 1 engine |
| 1973–1974 | VW Thing (Type 181) | |
| — | Dune buggies, Baja Bugs, sand rails, Manx-style and trikes | Type 1 engine |
| — | Does not fit: early engines with a fixed (cast-in) generator stand | |
| — | Does not fit: Type 3 "pancake" engines | |
| 1972 and later | Does not fit: Type 4 engines (Bus 1.7–2.0L, 914) | |
| — | Does not fit: water-cooled VWs |
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. 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.
Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| 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, laser-etched timing numbers |
| 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 |
| Works with | Generator or alternator |
| Sold as | Kit |
| Shipping weight | 4 lb |
Choose your finish
Performance is the same in every finish. 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.
| Finish | EMPI part # | UPC |
|---|---|---|
| Polished aluminum | 17-2811-0 | 707924381399 |
| Black anodized | 17-2911-0 | 707924381634 |
| Red anodized | 18-1071-0 | 707924466447 |
| Blue anodized | 18-1070-0 | 707924466430 |
What's included
- 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
Why it matters
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. A ribbed belt grips across its full width, so it runs quieter, lasts longer and holds on at high rpm, and tension is set at the idler instead of by stacking shims behind the generator pulley half.
The smaller top pulley spins the fan roughly 1.8 turns per crank revolution against about 1.69 stock, moving more air through the fan shroud for a small extra power draw. It bolts on with no case machining and no welding.
Installation notes
- Remove the alternator/generator and crank pulleys, then the alternator and its stand.
- Remove the two front stand studs and thread the new kit studs all the way down into the case.
- 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).
- Refit the alternator. Fit the crank pulley with the new bolt and washer, use Loctite on the bolt, and torque it to factory spec.
- Fit the alternator pulley with the supplied woodruff key, raised hub facing out, keeping the key level in its groove; torque to factory spec.
- Route the belt with the idler on the outside and tension it to about 3/8 in of side-to-side free play.
- Set timing again with a timing light (your old pulley's notch is gone), and re-check tension 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 the EMPI serpentine pulley system 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 the EMPI serpentine kit 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 with the serpentine kit?
Yes. The kit comes with its 5-rib belt. EMPI 17-2811-1 (5PK918) is the replacement.
Will a serpentine pulley kit make my VW 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.
Is the polished kit better than the anodized ones?
No. The machining and performance are the same. Only the finish differs.
Can I replace the idler bearings?
Yes. EMPI sells a sealed bearing pair, 17-2811-B, for these kits.
Related parts
- EMPI Serpentine Replacement Belt, 5-rib 918mm (17-2811-1)
- EMPI Parts · Engine Parts · VW Beetle Parts · Dune Buggy & Manx Parts · All Air-Cooled VW
⚠ 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.
