Super Color & Chrome Dress Up Kit, Yellow, for Aircooled VW

OVERVIEW

Transform your engine bay from a grease-stained relic of the past into a high-impact, show-stopping center of attention with the EMPI Super Color and Chrome Dress Up Kit in vibrant Yellow. We know that the heart of your Volkswagen is its air-cooled engine, and there is no better way to honor that engineering than by adding a professional, coordinated aesthetic that demands a second look every time you pop the decklid. This comprehensive kit isn''t just about adding a few shiny bits; it is a complete overhaul of your engine''s exterior appearance, replacing dull, rusted, or missing factory components with premium chrome-plated steel and color-matched yellow accents that provide a cohesive and aggressive look. Whether you are building a weekend cruiser, a dedicated show car, or a high-performance dune buggy, this kit offers the perfect balance of classic chrome brilliance and modern color customization that sets your build apart from the sea of stock engines at the local meet.

Beyond the undeniable visual upgrade, this EMPI dress-up kit provides a significant boost to the overall cleanliness and maintenance of your air-cooled powerplant. By replacing old, pitted components like the oil filler tube, dipstick, and valve covers, you are ensuring better seals and easier cleanup during your routine maintenance intervals. The inclusion of high-quality yellow ignition components, including the distributor cap and spark plug wires, not only adds that signature pop of color but also ensures your ignition system is firing with fresh, reliable connections. This kit is designed for the enthusiast who wants a "complete in a box" solution, eliminating the need to source individual chrome pieces and color-matched accessories from multiple vendors. At Appletree Auto, we recommend this kit as one of the most cost-effective ways to radically improve the resale value and pride of ownership of your classic VW, giving you that custom look without the custom price tag or the headache of mismatched parts.

FITMENT

This kit is designed for 1200cc to 1600cc based air-cooled Type 1 engines. Please note that some components may not fit fuel-injected models without modification.

• Volkswagen Beetle: 1946 through 1977 (Standard and Super Beetle)
• Volkswagen Karmann Ghia: 1956 through 1974
• Volkswagen Type 2 Bus: 1950 through 1971 (Upright engines only)
• Volkswagen Thing (Type 181): 1973 through 1974
• Custom Builds: Fits most Dune Buggies, Sand Rails, Trikes, and Kit Cars utilizing a VW Type 1 upright engine configuration.

SPECS

• Product Brand: EMPI
• Accent Color: Yellow
• Metal Finish: High-Luster Chrome Plating
• Ignition Wires: 7mm High-Performance Spark Plug Wires (Yellow)
• Distributor Cap: Color-Matched Yellow (Standard Bosch Style)
• Valve Covers: Pair of Stamped Steel Chrome Valve Covers
• Top Pulley: Chrome Plated Steel
• Pulley Accessories: Chrome Pulley Bolt and Oversized Washer
• Oil System: Chrome Oil Filler Tube with Cap and Chrome Dipstick
• Alternator/Generator: Chrome Mounting Strap and Chrome Alternator Nut
• Cooling System: Chrome Finned Backing Plate and Chrome Finned Pulley Cover
• Sump Components: Chrome Sump Plate and Magnetic Drain Plug for debris collection
• Hardware: Chrome Distributor Clamp and Color-Matched Wire Separators

PRO TIPS

1. Prioritize Engine Cleanliness Before Installation

To achieve the best results with your new EMPI Super Color and Chrome Dress Up Kit, we highly recommend a thorough engine degreasing before you begin the installation process. Installing brand-new chrome components onto a dirty or oily engine block can lead to "hot spots" where oil burns onto the chrome, causing permanent discoloration. Use a high-quality engine degreaser and a stiff brush to clean the areas around the valve covers, sump plate, and oil filler tube. Once the engine is dry, the chrome will pop significantly more against a clean block, and you''ll ensure that your new gaskets (sold separately) have a perfectly clean mating surface to prevent future leaks.

2. Don''t Over-Tighten the Valve Cover Bails

A common mistake when installing the chrome valve covers included in this kit is applying too much pressure or trying to "bend" the bails to make them tighter. The chrome finish on these covers is slick, and over-tightening can actually cause the gasket to squish out of place, leading to immediate oil leaks. We suggest using a fresh set of high-quality cork or silicone gaskets and ensuring the cover is seated squarely on the head before snapping the bail into place. If you find the bail is too loose, check that the gasket is thick enough; never use pliers to force the bail, as you risk scratching the beautiful chrome finish or warping the cover flange.

3. Verify Your Firing Order and Timing

Since this kit includes a new distributor cap and ignition wires, it is the perfect time to perform a mini-tune-up. Before removing your old wires, mark them or take a photo to ensure you maintain the correct VW firing order (1-4-3-2). When installing the new yellow wires, ensure they are fully seated into the distributor