Ram Air Fan Shroud, Fits Upright VW, Chrome

OVERVIEW

Upgrade your air-cooled engine''s cooling efficiency and aesthetic appeal with the EMPI Ram Air Fan Shroud in a brilliant chrome finish. This high-performance shroud is engineered specifically for the enthusiast who demands more than what the factory "doghouse" or early 36hp style shrouds can offer. By utilizing a unique "Ram Air" internal design, this shroud mimics the high-velocity airflow characteristics of expensive cast aluminum shrouds while maintaining the lightweight and manageable properties of stamped steel. The streamlined profile not only clears up valuable space in the engine bay but also optimizes the path of air over the cylinders and heads, which is critical for maintaining stable operating temperatures in high-performance or bored-out Type 1 engines.

Designed with the custom builder in mind, this shroud features a smooth, clean look without the bulky heater duct outlets found on stock units. This makes it an ideal choice for dune buggies, sand rails, and show-quality Beetles where heater boxes are not being utilized. It is important to note that this shroud is designed strictly for use with a remote oil cooler system. By eliminating the internal oil cooler mounting position, the air is no longer obstructed or pre-heated by an internal cooler, allowing for a 100% dedicated flow of cool air directly to the engine''s cooling fins. When you are building a motor that pushes the limits of the air-cooled platform, the EMPI Ram Air shroud provides the technical edge and the show-stopping shine your project deserves.

FITMENT

• VW Beetle: 1954 through 1977 (Standard and Super Beetle)
• VW Karmann Ghia: 1956 through 1974
• VW Bus (Type 2): 1954 through 1971 (Upright Type 1 engine configurations)
• VW Thing (Type 181): 1973 through 1974
• Custom Applications: Ideal for Dune Buggies, Sand Rails, Trikes, and Kit Cars using Type 1 1200cc to 2332cc engines.

SPECS

• Material: High-quality stamped steel for durability and heat resistance.
• Finish: Premium Triple-Chrome plating for a mirror-like shine.
• Style: Performance Ram Air (No Heater Ducts).
• Cooler Configuration: Designed for Remote Oil Cooler setups only (No internal cooler mount).
• Internal Vanes: Precision-curved internal air guides for maximum velocity.
• Weight: Approximately 6.25 lbs.
• Manufacturer Part Number: AC119001 (EMPI 00-8857-0).
• Quantity: Sold Each.

PRO TIPS

1. The Remote Cooler Requirement

Because this shroud is a "slick" design without an internal oil cooler exit, you MUST install an external oil cooling system. We recommend using a full-flow filter pump or a sandwich adapter at the stock cooler location to route your oil to a remote 72-plate or 96-plate cooler with an electric fan. This setup ensures that the air passing through your shroud is used exclusively for cooling the heads and cylinders, preventing the engine from "breathing" the hot air generated by a stock internal cooler. This is one of the single best upgrades you can perform to extend the life of a high-compression performance engine.

2. Proper Shroud Spacing and Clearance

When installing a chrome shroud, fitment can sometimes be tighter than a painted OEM unit due to the thickness of the plating. We strongly recommend using a Fan Shroud Spacer Kit (Appletree Part # 00-9145-0) during the mock-up phase. These spacers ensure that the shroud sits at the correct height relative to your cylinder tin and cylinder heads. Always rotate the fan by hand before tightening the alternator/generator backing plate to ensure there is no "scuffing" against the internal vanes of the shroud, which could damage the chrome finish and the fan itself.

3. Optimizing Air Seals for Maximum Cooling

A high-performance shroud like the Ram Air unit is only as good as the seal around it. To prevent "recycled" hot air from being pulled back into the fan, ensure that all of your engine tinware is present and that you are using high-quality engine-to-body seals. Use a small bead of high-temp silicone or specialized foam tape where the shroud meets the cylinder tin to close any gaps. Remember, any air that escapes through a gap is air that isn''t cooling your engine. If you are running this in a buggy or sand rail, ensure the fan intake has at least 3 to 4 inches of clearance from the firewall or any obstructions to allow for unrestricted air draw.