ECS News

South Bend Clutch has been manufacturing performance and street clutches for 40+ years. This dedication to product specialization makes today's South Bend products incredibly refined. Three stages & three driving styles are accommodated for, allowing you to carefully choose the exact clutch for your needs. The torque requirements of daily drivers, track or drift cars, high-powered street cars, & dedicated race cars are covered by 195ft/lbs. through 320ft/lbs. clutch ratings.

Schwaben's reputation for producing highly reliable, finely crafted specialty tools is growing rapidly - consumers are beginning to see the extraordinary value behind the Schwaben name. Nowhere is the dependability and security associated with the Schwaben name more important than with their latest 3-Ton Aluminum Jack Stands. The all-aluminum stands feature heavy-duty flanged bases for exceptional stability, while the over-engineered .584" diameter load pin rigidly secures the post in six different positions for convenience and peace of mind.

ECS is proud to present the Powerflex brand of performance Lower Engine Mount Bushings for the MINI R50/52/53. The larger insert goes into the larger lower engine mount ES#41645 bushing and the smaller bushing goes in place of the small bushing on that same lower mount. So for a dynamic set one large bushing set and one smaller bushing is needed. Fits into the stock mount locations. A better secured engine means the engine can effectively transfer power through the drivetrain, and polyurethane mounts allow for minimal transference of vibration into the cabin.

Massive rotors, multiple-piston brakes, and advanced pads are glamorous, eye-catching upgrades to your vehicle. But experienced enthusiasts know that all that stopping power relies on adequately bled brake lines. Your brake fluid is incompressible, like a metal; but air is compressible, so ridding your lines of this gas is imperative for fully realized braking power and response. ECS has an array of solutions to tighten up your braking system, including a Power Brake Bleeder, multiple synthetic Brake Fluid options, and a premium Schwaben Brake Bleeder Wrench.

South Bend Clutch has been manufacturing performance and street clutches for 40+ years. This dedication to product specialization makes today's South Bend products incredibly refined. Three stages & three driving styles are accommodated for, allowing you to carefully choose the exact clutch for your needs. The torque requirements of daily drivers, track or drift cars, high-powered street cars, & dedicated race cars are covered by 255ft/lbs. through 495ft/lbs. clutch ratings.

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. Three series of carts are offered, each 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.

If you need technical information about your MINI, for repair or simply for personal satisfaction, a Bentley service manual is a must-have item. DIYers will appreciate the detailed repair procedures and reference data that have made Bentley a trusted source of information for decades, and the industry benchmark for aftermarket technical books on European makes. Owners hungry for a better understanding of the technology and features that make MINI special will enjoy the richly illustrated, detailed explanations of vehicle components, assemblies, and operating strategies.

Two new genuine MINI wheel offerings are now available from ECS. BBS 17-inch double spoke polished finish alloy and JCW 18-inch 5 star spoke silver paint finish alloy wheels look right at home on the R50/R52/R53 Cooper, adding a performance look that fits the MINI. Both styles are conveniently available in sets of four, and because these are original factory equipment, quality and fitment are guaranteed.

17x7" ET48 MINI R90 BBS Alloy Wheels Featured on the MC40 Edition, the Genuine MINI 17-inch multi-cross anthracite spoke alloy wheels are a stunning addition to any performance-oriented MINI. The BBS two-piece composite wheels are made in Germany and perfect for the street or the track. *JCW 4 Piston Brake kits will need 25mm spacer for wheel fitment.

For track-ready cars like the R50/R53 MINI, suspension adjustability yields huge gains in handling characteristics. SPC Performance Front Adjustable Camber Plates are an excellent investment for the MINI owner looking to dial in a more aggressive front camber and caster specification, keeping the tire contact patch more parallel with the road surface during hard cornering when traction is most needed. The aluminum plates are coupled with an OE-style bearing within a bonded urethane insulator, allowing for +/- 2 degrees of camber and +/- .75 degrees of caster adjustment.

There are tools that any serious technician will regard as essential to their work - tools that make so many projects faster and simpler that access to a quality set is critical. Schwaben Specialty Tools recognized the need for better designed, more fully-featured puller tool kits; this variety of tool is so frequently used across such a wide variety of projects, mechanics deserve the best engineered product possible. Schwaben Pry Bar and Twin-Arm Puller Kits are highly adjustable, exceptionally durable sets of some of the most versatile tools in any home or professional garage.

Hella Twin Supertone Horns are now available for your MINI. These horns are characterized by their strong penetrating and concentrated sound, making anyone within a sizable distance aware of your presence. All of Hella's horns are constructed with durability in mind from impact resistant plastic and feature a 400 Hz low tone and 500 Hz high tone horn. All kits include the horns, relay, and mounting brackets.

ECS now offers a superbly matched wheel and tire set from legendary MINI tuner JCW. The 18-inch JCW LM Rad Cross Wheels are finished in Gloss Turned Black or Gloss Black and are wrapped with Pirelli P Zero or Bridgestone Potenza RF asymmetrical Run Flat High performance tires. The combination not only perfectly complements any MINI's styling, but offers fitment, quality, and performance only possible through JCW. The balanced wheels with MINI JCW center caps and TPMS sensor arrive ready to mount - just top off with air and drive.

ECS now offers a superbly matched wheel and tire set from legendary MINI tuner JCW. The 18-inch double-spoke wheels are finished in either matte black or bright silver and are wrapped with Pirelli P Zero asymmetrical Run Flat High performance tires. The combination not only perfectly complements any MINI's styling, but offers fitment, quality, and performance only possible through JCW. The balanced wheels with MINI JCW center caps arrive ready to mount - just fill with air and drive. JCW 4 Piston Brake kits will need 5mm spacer.

By now, sun and the elements have likely tarnished and damaged your MINI's cowl covers. Once a dark matte black finish, they have probably faded to gray, requiring constant attention to keep your vehicle's exterior looking clean. ECS now offers the URO Chrome Cowl Cover Grille Set for your R50/R53 Cooper/Cooper S/JCW, adding a tasteful chromed-out element to your exterior. The covers come already prepared with quality adhesive, easily securing to the factory units and instantly refreshing your MINI's cowl covers for a clean finish.

A sticking or broken hood cable is not only a pain when it comes time to service your engine; the issue also presents a significant risk to your driving safety. Over time, corrosion can cause the release to seize, potentially making it impossible to even open your hood. ECS now offers the genuine MINI Hood Release Kit, including each part required for the complete job; Bowden cables, left and right side locking latches, and a hood unlocking lever.

For track-ready cars like the R50, R52, R53, suspension adjustments yield huge gains in handling characteristics. SPC Performance Adjustable Rear Control Arms are an excellent investment for the MINI owner looking to dial in a more aggressive camber specification, keeping the tire contact patch more parallel with the road surface during hard cornering when traction is most needed. The beautiful silver-anodized finished arms coupled with SPC "Red" nuts provide a full +/- 4.0 degrees of rear camber adjustment, giving you needed control over this critical parameter.

KONl shock absorbers with Frequency Selective Damping (FSD) technology, have been specifically designed for the MINI R53, representing the ultimate in comfort and road-holding. The purely mechanical shocks and struts are independent of electronic control components, making installation easier and product life significantly longer. KONl FSD suspensions contain an added special valve that controls a parallel oil flow next to the piston, dramatically improving ride quality. And by retaining the factory ride height, your MINI's wheel fitment & stance will remain unchanged.

A sticking or broken hood cable is not only a pain when it comes time to service your engine; the issue also presents a significant risk to your driving safety. Over time, corrosion can cause the release to seize, potentially making it impossible to even open your hood. ECS now offers the genuine MINI Hood Release Kit, including each part required for the complete job; Bowden cables, left and right side locking latches, and a hood unlocking lever.

The primary appeal of new wheels is in the new, shiny appearance they offer. The majority of the time, a different style, size, or color isn't really the ultimate goal. With such a deep catalog of staggeringly effective wheel cleaning and restoration products from specialists Sonax and Chemical Guys, getting what you really want from your wheel setup is fast and easy - and it's all available now from ECS. Acid-free and pH balanced rim and wheel cleaners effortlessly dissolve grease, brake dust and dirt, while safely preserving your wheel's finish.

Whenever pushing your car past the factory-designated limits of operation, be it through hard driving or performance modifications, adequate engine cooling should always be a high concern. In fact, improving performance by increasing engine work is only possible when engine temperatures are kept within a reasonable range. The Mishimoto Performance Radiator is capable of a 30% increase in cooling capacity due to a fully-brazed, two-row aluminum core that's 25% thicker than stock. The direct-fit radiator also uses CNC-machined quick-disconnect fittings for perfect fitment.

The MINI R52/R53 relies heavily on adequate engine cooling to make reliable power. Any leaking, bending, or warping of the hoses that hold cooling fluid will result in a considerable loss of performance & driveability. Mishimoto now offers a full Silicone Coolant Hose Kit for the MINI, drastically improving durability over the factory hose arrangement, while eliminating flow restrictions. Molded to exact OEM specifications, the improved design better withstands heat & pressure, resisting swelling and electro-chemical degradation for a longer service life.

This wood dash pattern for the three piece dash adds a little classic Mini tradition to your MINI. Dash is in plastic with high gloss burl wood pattern. This addition is easy to install and matches other wood accessories. Snaps right into dash once old section is removed. This kit comes with left main section ( driver ) , center section, and right main section ( passenger ) to complete the 3 piece wood dash look. No airbags covers to worry about.

The most popular spring in H&R's line-up, Sport Springs will lower your MINI an average of 1.0" at the front and .75" at the rear for a lower center of gravity, improved handling, and a more aggressive appearance. Sport springs are an excellent choice for street and occasional track use, featuring a spring rate that is firmer than the OE Sport spring but still comfortable enough for daily use.

A frequent dilemma when fitting an upgraded seat belt to track-prepared street cars is how to balance the needs of daily driving with the demands of performance driving. A dedicated track-day setup is typically impractical, while running without a substantial harness forces the driver to use the steering wheel to hold themselves in place. Schroth Racing Quick Fit Harnesses are fully reversible and anchor to the factory seat belt pre-tensioner, allowing the airbags to deploy as the MINI engineers intended. Both left (driver) and right (passenger) harnesses are available.

Schwaben products are characterized by simple, clever designs. Their wheel storage solutions may be the best examples of these qualities. The Schwaben Wheel Tree holds up to 275lbs and allows you to safely stack your wheels without the risk of scuffing and scratching. Convenient locking casters allow you to easily move the whole set anywhere in your garage or shop at one time. And when saving floor space is the highest priority, the Schwaben Wall-Mounted Wheel Rack allows you to securely store up to four 11½" wide wheels and tires against the wall, away from your work space.

The lowered ride height achieved by upgrading your factory suspension is a consequence of the modification, not its purpose. With this knowledge, you can appreciate the value of more finely wrought suspension designs, like those from ST. The ST X Performance Coilovers utilize tempered high-strength springs, hardened chrome piston rods, and galvanized zinc-plated strut housings - a consequence of which is a powerful, aggressive stance. But the enduring value of this arrangement lay in its durability, reliability, and reverence for precise engineering.

Continual heat cycling and system debris will crack and eventually stain the expansion tank, also referred to as the coolant recovery bottle. Aging coolant tanks can cause several problems, including coolant loss, a leaking pressure cap that lowers system pressure, and a failed low-coolant level sensor. Now you can address all of these issues at once--or head them off before they become bigger problems--with a new coolant expansion tank for the R52/R53 MINI Cooper. The direct-fit tanks come ready to install with a new pressure cap.

Your wheels and tires require a little extra care and attention, especially during storage. ECS offers several smart & simple storage solutions, specifically designed for your MINI. The Schwaben Wheel & Tire Rack saves your floor space, securely mounting your wheels & tires on the wall. Finally, MINI Tire Totes help to maintain a clean & organized workshop, while making wheels & tires easy to carry

Avoid finding yourself without a key trim fastener - stock up for good with the Vaico BMW/MINI 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.