Billet Aluminum Gas Pedal, EMPI Brand

OVERVIEW

When it comes to the connection between you and your air-cooled engine, nothing is more critical than a responsive and reliable throttle. The EMPI Billet Aluminum Gas Pedal (Part Number 16-3121-0) is engineered to replace the often flimsy, stamped-steel factory assemblies that have been prone to bending, rusting, or binding over decades of use. This premium pedal is CNC-machined from high-grade billet aluminum, providing a rock-solid foundation that eliminates the ''mushy'' feel typical of stock pedals. Its spring-loaded design ensures a crisp, positive return to idle, giving you the confidence to navigate tight traffic or push through a high-speed desert run without worrying about a sticking throttle. The polished finish doesn''t just look incredible against a set of custom floor mats; it provides a durable surface that resists corrosion even in the harshest environments.

Beyond its striking aesthetics, this EMPI gas pedal is packed with functional features designed for the serious VW enthusiast. One of the standout components is the integrated full-throttle stop, which is essential for protecting your carburetor linkages and throttle cable from excessive strain when you have your foot buried in the floorboards. The pedal also features a multi-position 10-32 threaded mounting system for the cable hook-up, allowing you to fine-tune the leverage and throw to match your specific carburetor setupwhether you are running a single Solex or a pair of dual Webers. Whether you are finishing a ground-up restoration on a classic Beetle, building a rugged Sand Rail, or perfecting a Manx-style buggy, this billet pedal offers the perfect blend of race-ready performance and show-quality style that Appletree Auto customers expect.

FITMENT

• Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle: All Years (Requires custom floor mounting or adapter for stock pans)
• Volkswagen Type 2 Bus: Custom and Off-Road configurations
• Volkswagen Type 3: Squareback, Fastback, Notchback
• Volkswagen Karmann Ghia: All Years
• Dune Buggies: Meyer''s Manx, Berry Mini T, and other glass bodies
• Sand Rails: All custom tubular chassis builds
• Baja Bugs: Ideal for rugged off-road floor setups

SPECS

• Material: CNC-Machined High-Grade Billet Aluminum
• Finish: Polished Mirror-Like Surface
• Height: 7-3/8 Inches
• Width: 2 Inches
• Cable Hook-up: Multi-position 10-32 Threaded Holes
• Spring Mechanism: Integrated Heavy-Duty Steel Return Spring
• Throttle Stop: Built-in Adjustable Stop Bolt for Wide Open Throttle (WOT) protection
• Mounting Style: Floor Mount Pivot Design

PRO TIPS

1. Adjust Your Throttle Stop Correctly

The most common mistake when installing a high-performance gas pedal is neglecting the adjustable throttle stop. You should adjust the stop bolt so that the pedal hits the stop at the exact moment your carburetor linkage reaches the wide-open position. If you don''t set this correctly, your foot will apply hundreds of pounds of pressure directly to the throttle cable and the carburetor butterfly shaft, which can lead to snapped cables or warped linkage components. Have a friend watch the carburetors while you slowly depress the pedal to find that perfect limit.

2. Optimize Cable Alignment

To ensure the longest life for your throttle cable, make sure the cable pull is as straight as possible from the pedal assembly into the tunnel or through the firewall. Because this pedal features multi-position 10-32 threads, you can choose the hole that provides the most linear pull. If the cable is pulling at an angle, it will eventually saw through the guide tube or fray the cable itself. A small drop of dry graphite lubricant at the pivot point and where the cable attaches will keep the action "buttery smooth" for years to come.

3. Use Anti-Seize on Threaded Fasteners

Since this pedal is made of billet aluminum, it is a smart move to use a small amount of anti-seize or a drop of blue thread-locker on the 10-32 cable attachment bolt and the mounting hardware. Stainless steel or steel bolts into aluminum can sometimes experience galvanic corrosion or "galling" over time. Taking this extra step during the initial installation ensures that if you ever need to adjust your throttle cable or swap out components in the future, the hardware will come apart easily without stripping the precision-machined aluminum threads.