Skip to content
Aussieveedubbers

Wanted: Empi 8 Spokes

0 likes
Share Share on Facebook Share on X Share on Reddit
Log in to reply

andytlr Seriously Crusin Dubber

109 posts · joined May 2005 ·

#363819
I've been looking around constantly for the last couple of days and deciding what wheels I want to get. I was going to go with early model stock wheels, with the domed hub cap but I have decided if the price is right that Empi 8 spokes would look perfect.

I don't know if you need to do this for a wanted ad but:
Name: Andy
Suburb: Hawthorn in Melbourne
Description: I have attached an image of chrome ones, but I have also seen ones that have black spokes that would work great with my black and red colour scheme.
Cost: I don't really know what they are worth, if nothing else, this is just to suss that out.

1 attachment · Log in to view

andytlr Seriously Crusin Dubber

109 posts · joined May 2005 ·

#363820
I presume they come in different sizes, and that is the question everyone is going to ask first. I don't really know what size I want, 15's or 16's I guess.

And I've got a stud beetle and these look like they are a 4 stud wheel so I guess they would fit...?

ruckus Veteran Volks Folk

2,118 posts · joined Jun 2004 ·

#363822
Mate what year is your bug? If it's after 67 (i think) it'll have four stud pattern so you can fit these. Any earlier and you have to look at the five stud wheels (BRM, Raders etc).

Classic VW Pacific can get them for you (through the boys in Tassie) or go to CIP1.com and get them from the states.


They only come in 15x5.5 I think

barls Administrator Causer of Chaos and Mayhem

9,474 posts · joined Jun 2004 ·

#363825
and if they are on a 71 on super they wont fit under stock guards ether. 15 x 5.5 is the only size and as i said earlier they are about $1300 for a set of the polished
“We all pay for life with death, so everything in between should be free.” Bill Hicks
the chaos project - click me

andytlr Seriously Crusin Dubber

109 posts · joined May 2005 ·

#363826
it is a '72 standard.

Is 'about $1300' a 'brand new' price?

I've been reading around to see if they will fit but everyone is always talking about clearance when lowered etc, finding it hard to find specific info about my car.

I have seen some people talking about different axles to fit wheels...?

Can anyone tell me if i get the 8spokes if I'll just be able to bolt them on and drive off or if there will be more work involved...?

Thanks

ruckus Veteran Volks Folk

2,118 posts · joined Jun 2004 ·

#363828
Yeah as long as it's not lowered you'll be able to fit them without any problems at all

barls Administrator Causer of Chaos and Mayhem

9,474 posts · joined Jun 2004 ·

#363832
well im running them on my sbug and they sit just out of the stock guards by about an inch. ive had them on my little brothers 1500 and they were just outside the guards. sorry about talking about the other post i wasnt paying attention who was posting
“We all pay for life with death, so everything in between should be free.” Bill Hicks
the chaos project - click me

ClassicVW(pacific) Custom Title Time!

1,627 posts · joined Jul 2004 ·

#363904
ruckus wrote:Mate what year is your bug? If it's after 67 (i think) it'll have four stud pattern so you can fit these. Any earlier and you have to look at the five stud wheels (BRM, Raders etc).

Classic VW Pacific can get them for you (through the boys in Tassie) or go to CIP1.com and get them from the states.


They only come in 15x5.5 I think
Thankyou Ruckus.

Coloured wheels ie black, silver, white are all $990 inc caps etc posted to your door

[Edited on 28/5/2005 by ClassicVW(pacific)]

andytlr Seriously Crusin Dubber

109 posts · joined May 2005 ·

#363935
ClassicVW: Is that for EMPI or Repro's?

57kombi Hannover Elder

2,544 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#363964
They are ALL copies.
Empi does not exist as a company anymore.It stood for Engineered Motor Products Incoporated and was in America.

The wheels were made in the 70's by EMPI, or for EMPI and originals, which were tao piece would now cost an arm and a leg.
There is a guy in Victoria who sells what he calls EMPI stuff but all he has done is bought the name and adds it to anything he wants, He even sells EMPI windscreens????And Aussie EMPI mesh visors??? these were never ever made by the original EMPI.

You can get the empi 8's from Midland Wheels, Eagle etc there are a number of companies that make them, but as I said they are not made by EMPI anymore.

Cheers
Dave

andytlr Seriously Crusin Dubber

109 posts · joined May 2005 ·

#363968
Thanks,
Very helpfull.

So I guess if you wanted them to look like oringinal empi's you could get new ones and try and find old center caps.

What is this then? http://www.empius.com

VolksFolks Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,869 posts · joined Dec 2003 ·

#363997
American Eagle make them for EMPI, therefore are EMPI brand, others are copies..
They laugh because You are different, You laugh because They are all the same.

check out www.lowlight.com.au for low lights only..

ClassicVW(pacific) Custom Title Time!

1,627 posts · joined Jul 2004 ·

#364025
they are all copies of the original Empi 8

andytlr Seriously Crusin Dubber

109 posts · joined May 2005 ·

#364035
They are pretty nice, but I think I'm pretty set on either the chrome or black 8 spoke empi (repro's)... Just can't decide whether I want to chrome out, or bring the red and black colour scheme that I've got going on on the inside to the outside.

And cash. Need to sell my other car. Anyone know anyone who wants to buy a '74 Merc? It's in mint condition inside and out. Bar one section of paint about 3cm square. Clearly not the place to be advertising, just seemed appropriate.

andytlr Seriously Crusin Dubber

109 posts · joined May 2005 ·

#364036
Tried to upload a photo and it said it was too big, even though its tiny and 88k. Oh well.

crewcabconnection Being Sid James

1,922 posts · joined Apr 2003 ·

#364185
I think Bill Hickman of Club VW fame has got a set of 8 spoke Empi's - try Club VWs site or calling them. I spoke to him a couple of weeks ago, and he said he'd got a set. Better than paying new money.
Loves a lolcat

andytlr Seriously Crusin Dubber

109 posts · joined May 2005 ·

#364193
Thanks. But I went to http://www.clubvw.org.au/ which is what I presume you were talking about. I went to their for sale section and there was no empi's there. They would probably be there if for sale yeah...?

crewcabconnection Being Sid James

1,922 posts · joined Apr 2003 ·

#364202
Nah, Bill Hickman (I think) or is it Bob? He's the nice guy with the VW Country Buggy, large gent. Not 'selling' em on the site, just in a conversation when at Indian a couple of weeks ago - I was looking for some Empi 5's. He said he'd got some 8's he didn't want. Try emailing Steve Carter at Club VW, sorry I don't have more info....but it's a non-retail lead....
Loves a lolcat

andytlr Seriously Crusin Dubber

109 posts · joined May 2005 ·

#364213
It was bob, his email was on the contact us page. Sent him one, see what happens. Thanks for that.

VolksFolks Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,869 posts · joined Dec 2003 ·

#364279
ClassicVW(pacific) wrote:they are all copies of the original Empi 8
right! thats why www.empius.com still sell them, this company was revamped by the presant owner, empi is still alive, might not be the original company though, but still EMPI brand...

10/10

Andy
They laugh because You are different, You laugh because They are all the same.

check out www.lowlight.com.au for low lights only..

ClassicVW(pacific) Custom Title Time!

1,627 posts · joined Jul 2004 ·

#364335
Read the story of Empi, you have just said its not the original company, so how can they be original Empi wheels, they are repros of the original 60's wheel, like MWS and Flat 4.


[Edited on 29/5/2005 by ClassicVW(pacific)]

[Edited on 29/5/2005 by ClassicVW(pacific)]

VolksFolks Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,869 posts · joined Dec 2003 ·

#364357
go figure.
They laugh because You are different, You laugh because They are all the same.

check out www.lowlight.com.au for low lights only..

dood72 Casual Dubber

46 posts · joined Nov 2004 ·

#364590
barls wrote:well im running them on my sbug and they sit just out of the stock guards by about an inch. ive had them on my little brothers 1500 and they were just outside the guards. sorry about talking about the other post i wasnt paying attention who was posting
I'm running them on my 72 Suprebug OK. Lowered 2". They all fit in the gaurds with the exception of the RH front which sticks out about 10mm. When it was lowered 3"" the front wheels hit the gaurds when going over a bump but at 2" they work fine. If I can be of any help please U2U me

andytlr Seriously Crusin Dubber

109 posts · joined May 2005 ·

#364593
Does anyone know how wide my stock rims would be from '72? I found a UK site that said in late '72 they changed from 5.6 to 6. Would this be the same in Aus? And considering that, if the empi 8 spokes are 5.5 then would the tyres I have on my stock rims fit?

Basic question is: Are the standard rim size and the empi 8's similar enough size to use the same tyres?

ruckus Veteran Volks Folk

2,118 posts · joined Jun 2004 ·

#364600
I've got 175x65s on the front and they're a good size. You'd get away with anything up to 195x65 on a 5.5 rim I think. What are the specs of your tyres?

57kombi Hannover Elder

2,544 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#364601
As per my first post on this.
They are ALL copies.
The original were 2 piece rims made for EMPI in the 60's and 70's.
Empi the original company no longer exists, I think Empi USA are owned by Mr Bug, they just bought the name so that they can add it to there parts and make people think they are buying real EMPI.
It is the same as the BRM wheels you can get now, they are copies and the originals fetch silly money, they were made of magnesium and were only available in black.

Why do you think that people collect EMPI stuff, its because you cant get it anymore.
The Ealge ones are the same as the MWS ones, copies that are produced to satisfy todays market.

Cheers
Dave

ClassicVW(pacific) Custom Title Time!

1,627 posts · joined Jul 2004 ·

#364605
andytlr wrote:Does anyone know how wide my stock rims would be from '72? I found a UK site that said in late '72 they changed from 5.6 to 6. Would this be the same in Aus? And considering that, if the empi 8 spokes are 5.5 then would the tyres I have on my stock rims fit?

Basic question is: Are the standard rim size and the empi 8's similar enough size to use the same tyres?
Take your bug into your nearest tyre outlet, tell them you are considering new wheels. They will tell you whether your existing tyres will fit and whether they will be the legal size on your new wheels.
If they will not help you, email the size of your tyres through to me and I will drop into to Tyrepower tomorrow and find out, I always find them willing to help even if they are not making a sale.
Roy