ECS News

If you plan on attending to any part of your vehicle's cylinder head, you will likely need to re-time your camshafts. During this type of work, the crankshaft must be set at Top Dead Center (TDC), and the camshafts themselves must remain locked. Cam positioning is a critical procedure on today's computer-controlled vehicles - a camshaft that is timed in error will run very poorly and eventually cause catastrophic damage. The Schwaben Camshaft Locking Tool Set will lock your camshaft and crankshaft at the correct position during assembly. Also included is a top dead center pin.

There are several critical automotive projects that require pulling fluid lines – these jobs oftentimes end in an unnecessary mess from using inadequate tools and procedures. The tool experts at Schwaben have developed the highly convenient Fluid Stopper Kit for this reason, allowing you to properly clamp any fluid hoses and avoid messes or fluid losses. Additionally, the clamps offer a temporary seal, meaning you will not compromise any lines for later use. Address all common hard lines, including fuel lines, brake lines, and banjo connections.

Many enthusiasts have had to do a tie rod service on their vehicle at one point or another, and many have had to deal with stubborn tie rods. The Schwaben Inner Tie Rod tool makes it as easy as it looks by automatically adjusting to the right size while in use, giving you the proper leverage required to break the tie rod free - A must have that can cut hours down on your job. The other difficult area of a tie rod replacement is getting the ball joint end at the knuckle to break loose. The Schwaben tie rod separator is perfect for wedging in between the knuckle and ball joint.

ECS now offers several incredible Big Brake Kits for your E46 3 Series, bringing over-the-top braking power to your BMW in a single package. The ECS 6-Piston Front Big Brake Kit includes 6-piston calipers from the E82/ E88 and the E9X BMW Performance big brake kit with original equipment pads. Massive 325x25 semi-floating BMW Performance Rotors, ECS caliper brackets, ECS Exact-Fit braided stainless reinforced brake lines, and all necessary hardware are included. The OE Big Brake Kit featuring ECS GEOMET® cross drilled and slotted rotors and Hawk HPS pads is also available.

Schwaben Specialty Tools has been making at-home vehicle repair more simple and more professional with each successive release. Each member of their unparalleled catalog represents a significant achievement in tool design and engineering; their Drain and Fill Service Tools are excellent examples of Schwaben's success. The 5" Diameter Funnel features a 12"-24" flexible neck, making transmission and differential fluid change service procedures quicker and cleaner. Schwaben's 6-10 liter Oil Storage Cans allow for a mess-free oil change and easy transport of all drained oil.

Companies that dedicate themselves to a specific industry niche have a head start on large, excessively diverse manufacturers. A familiarity with the challenges of making superior products is gained through the sheer time spent within a more narrow market. Sonax produces car care products. Each release by the company is a leader in its category, & their catalog is growing every day. ECS offers a staggering array of Sonax products, from the highly effective acid-free Wheel Cleaner, to deep-cleaning & odor-eliminating Upholstery/Carpet Cleaner and Premium Class Carnauba.

This time of year for almost all drivers is maintenance time or upgraded performance. The ECS oil service kits offer a touch of both, with our billet filter housing caps and drain plugs both being more durable and aesthetically appealing combined with quality oil designed just for your vehicle. Having all of these pieces put together in one box is what makes the Assembled by ECS experience so great, we have selected all the correct quality parts so you can do the job with without the feeling of forgetting something.

Everywhere there is a seam on your engine, there is the potential for an oil leak. This is prevented through the use of gaskets and seals. A critical gasket that prevents oil leaks is the valve cover gasket. The gasket is used to seal the gap between the valve cover & the cylinder head. However, since this gasket is made of rubber, it has a tendency to become brittle and begin to leak due to constant exposure to heat and engine oil. OEM BMW & Elring Valve Cover Gasket Sets include a valve cover gasket and sealing washers - An OEM Complete Valve Cover Assembly is also available.

Automotive electrical work demands patience, knowledge, & above all else, the correct tools. European car owners oftentimes find themselves using ineffective, dangerous, & cumbersome methods when repairing or replacing wiring harness connectors. Schwaben's latest release, the European Car Electrical Terminal Tool Kit, gives enthusiasts the exact tools required for bullet connectors, common ABS sensor and power connectors, trailer light plugs, and more. Extend harness life, ensure proper diagnostic equipment connectivity, and preserve wiring harness life with this superb release.

The specialty tool experts at Schwaben have released a series of superbly engineered, exceptionally reliable car ramps, ramp extensions, wheel stands, & wheel chocks - now available from ECS tuning. The 30" to 67" Low Profile Car Ramps are specially made to accommodate vehicles with low bumper clearance - eliminating the risk of body damage & sliding ramps. Schwaben Wheel Stands feature a cradled wheel support for superior stability compared to jack stands, supporting up to 3000 lbs. And when lifting your vehicle or placing it on an incline, Wheel Chocks are a wise investment.

Many E46 generation 3 Series BMWs have logged a ton of miles to date, and most have road-weary suspension setups. KONI Struts and Shocks have been a favorite replacement choice for performance enthusiasts; they offer a perfect blend of even, more stable handling dynamics with ride compliance & comfort. KONI fine tunes their shocks & strut kits by application, refusing to take the 'one-size-fits-all' approach used by less thorough manufacturers. Available with adjustable or preset damping, KONI shocks and struts are a wise performance upgrade for your BMW E46 3 Series.

The BMW E46 3 Series has proven itself to be a true-blooded BMW, with handling dynamics that are close to perfect. One area of this particular model's suspension that can use bolstering is at the sway bar. ECS tested 27mm front and 21mm rear sway bars for this precise reason. Reduce body roll in turns, stiffen suspension, and add a much needed dimension of handling predictability with the ECS units - designed to fit and function in perfect harmony with your BMW.

The average home mechanic might not even realize the benefit of having a sturdy, hand-height shelf to place tools on in the heat of a project. Instead of carelessly leaving tools on the ground or mixed up in a pile, Schwaben Service Carts bring the professionalism of a reliable mechanic's cart to your own garage. These carts are offered, featuring a stunning, durable high-gloss powder-coated finish, chrome plated steel handles, and large 4" casters. Heavy-duty Deluxe units are also available, with a third product adding a locking top lid and drawer.

During suspension work, there are a few critical tools that make installation and removal infinitely more simple. In order to remove the retaining nut at the top of struts on European cars, a dedicated tool that fits the unique shape of the strut mount is required. Many enthusiasts will damage the strut nut using a wrench or inappropriate socket to accomplish the task, bringing their project to a halt. For professional quality work, Schwaben Specialty Tools has assembled a collection of premium Strut Nut Sockets in all the most popular sizes for your European car.

Oxygen sensors are a key component in fuel efficiency and idle. The O2 sensor measures the amount of unburned fuel in the exhaust pipe to adjust fuel mapping for less emissions and better fuel economy. When these sensors fail, you'll likely experience a check engine light and code directing you right to the problematic sensor. When driving with a problematic O2 sensor, your MPG and performance will often suffer. Replaced fairly easily, new O2 sensors will help restore your BMW E46's performance and mileage back to factory standards.

The engine in the E46 325/330 series are known for only one weakness, the cooling system. The ultimate assurance that you wont be left on the side of the road with an over heated engine is to refresh all the major components at the first sign of any failure. In most cases these engines will make it most of the life of the vehicle, meaning by this time there will be more wear and tare on these components than they were guaranteed. ECS created Cooling System Refresh Kits with varying levels of components for this very reason.

Sale is now over. With tax returns and the spring season right around the corner, we wanted to thank you for all of the hard work that you have put in. We have selected handfuls of products to feature and reduced their price for this one time sale. Deals like this go quick, so act soon or risk missing out. Limited time, limited stock, huge savings. Sale Ends February 22, 2016

Sale is now over. With tax returns and the spring season right around the corner, we wanted to thank you for all of the hard work that you have put in. We have selected handfuls of products to feature and reduced their price for this one time sale. Deals like this go quick, so act soon or risk missing out. Limited time, limited stock, huge savings. Sale Ends February 22, 2016

Want to do something bold? Bodacious, even? Check out this line of 3M Scotchprint films. Add texture and style to interior and exterior surfaces by applying these durable adhesive backed films to body panels or trim. Want variety? Channel Darth Vader with gloss black or carbon fiber, or go sci-fi-starship with brushed aluminum. Buy rolls five feet wide in lengths from one to 20 feet. Hi-tech look. Low tech installation. User friendly and easy to apply using simple tools, 3M 1080 film lets anyone get professional results on the first try.

Ever tried removing a radio trim bezel with a screwdriver or metal putty knife? Ugly. Ineffective. Metal prying tools gouge, scratch, and crack expensive interior parts adding needless cost and aggravation to any repair or accessory installation requiring trim panel removal. Stop the madness. Invest in one of our affordable trim removal kits. Large kit or small, our trim removal tools are made of tough, non-marring molded plastic, brightly colored so you won't leave them behind when the job is done. Do it right. Do it faster. Schwaben.

Let H&R up your game with suspension products that pick up where BMW left off. Made in Germany, H&R sway bars, are built on decades of experience designing world class suspension upgrades; then manufactured to old world standards where "excellence" is more than just a word. Shot-peened, heat-treated, and powder-coated front and rear sway bars are now available for your BMW. These particular sway bars offer the flexibility of adjustable when utilizing different stabilizer link configurations - a necessity for race and track applications.

Avoid finding yourself without a key trim fastener - stock up for good with the Vaico BMW Fastener Assortment Kit. Designed with the DIY enthusiast or body shop in mind, this assortment comes stocked with clips for fender liners, interior trim, and body mouldings, all in a convenient storage case. An extremely convenient kit for the discriminating BMW owner, you can now achieve a factory-perfect look instead of leaving crucial interior elements out of sorts.

We've all found ourselves using highly "creative" methods for separating old parts in the midst of an intense project. Some methods do work - usually at the expense of personal injury and a few broken or damaged parts. The new Remover Tools from Schwaben leave your knuckles and expensive parts intact. The new Exhaust Hanger Removal Tool has a slim profile for work in tight areas, easily pulling off hangers from behind. Steering and Suspension Ball Joint Separators offer a combined 12mm to 80mm jaw opening range. New rugged 3/8” drive Schwaben E-Socket Sets are also available.

A critical component within the drivetrain that serves as a vibration and torsion damper, the flex joint bolted between the transmission output shaft and the driveshaft can wear significantly over time. When the unit fails, damage to the underside of the car is unavoidable, and will certainly immobilize the vehicle. Replacing the propeller shaft flex joint not only protects you from this disastrous prospect, but also greatly reduces driveline noise and harshness

A lesser known feature of the highest caliber performance cars has nothing to do with engine power output, suspension dynamics, or build materials. Almost every truly distinguished European sports car utilizes a limited-slip style differential. While an open differential effectively accomplishes the task of allowing one wheel to spin faster than the other around corners, during power delivery, this behavior is not always desirable.

Browsing through our world-class parts catalog can be overwhelming - with such a deep well of heart-pounding performance additions, convenient tools and accessories, and limitless OEM replacement parts, you'll need a way to control your lustful thoughts this Valentine's Day. ECS helps you cool off with the Wish List tool - setup a vehicle make and model, and click on the "Heart" logo next to any product that catches your eye. And if you're looking to spice things up this holiday with a thoughtful gift, $10-$100 ECS gift cards will make your sweetheart's wishes come true.

Schwaben Specialty Tools has released three new products that eliminate the pains and inconveniences associated with automotive repairs and installations. Get off the ground and move around with the Six Wheel Creeper - ruggedly designed to reliably keep your body off the ground while working underneath your Euro. The Schwaben LED Under Hood Shop Light features 120 LEDs & a polycarbonate transparent lens that instantly illuminates every crevice of your engine bay. The Rolling Creeper Seat and Tray keeps your body at an ideal height while keeping your tools close at hand.

Hawk is well known to enthusiasts looking for a high quality brake pad which will deliver superior stopping power. Hawk Performance brake pads cover all your braking needs from daily driving to extreme use. Multiple brake pad compounds are available, but the characteristics they all have in common include an aggressive bite, improved pedal feel, low noise, and minimal dust. Find a perfect match for your braking needs and find out what the hype is all about.

When it comes to the cooling system, we're led to only think of failure with overheating in the warmer months of the year. On the other hand, coolant prevents freezing within its system during the colder months, and there are still many that are unequipped to service their system properly. Don't get left in the cold. Maintain your cooling system the right way and keep it fully functional with these cooling system tools.

Automotive electrical work demands patience, knowledge, & above all, the correct tools. European car owners oftentimes find themselves using ineffective, dangerous, & cumbersome methods when repairing or replacing wiring harness connectors. Schwaben's latest release, the European Car Electrical Terminal Tool Kit, gives enthusiasts the exact tools required for bullet connectors, common ABS sensor and power connectors, trailer light plugs, and more. Extend harness life, ensure proper diagnostic equipment connectivity, and preserve wiring harness life with this superb release.