ECS News

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.

Your MKIV's headlights have probably seen better days. You could repair broken bits or polish the lens if that's the route you want to go. The only problem, however, is that they'll still be the same stock headlights. These headlights from Helix Automotive Lighting are designed to look like the European HID headlights from across the pond. While these headlights come plug-n-play ready with H7 hi/low beam bulbs, the housings are perfectly capable of handling an upgrade using your favorite aftermarket HID kit components (all you'd need is the ignitors, the ballasts, and the bulbs).

One area of the MKIV Jetta that receives excessive scuffing and scratching is the steering column cover. The area around the ignition cylinder in particular usually shows the age of the vehicle more clearly than any other part. ECS Tuning recognizes this common issue and has created a Steering Column Cover Refresh Kit to alleviate this problem. The kit consists of all Genuine VW parts, ensuring exceptional fitment, bringing a showroom-new appearance to this oft-neglected area of your car.

It's hard not to appreciate the powerful, aggressive appearance of a wide-stanced performance car; it's the look that forces enthusiasts to take your ride seriously. The effect is typically accomplished with flared fenders and over-sized wheels, requiring increased fender clearance. The Eastwood fender roller tool is easy to use, priced right, and increases fender clearance while maintaining a factory-fresh look. Kits are available that include a heat gun to keep your finish from stress cracking, & a finishing tool to form the inner fender lip for a professional-quality job.

The growing Schwaben Tool catalog has just expanded again with the release of the superbly engineered, exceptionally reliable Schwaben hand tools - now available from ECS tuning. The new Schwaben 1/2" breaker bar has a full 180°swing for those hard to reach bolts and nuts. A complete set of Schwaben twelve-point metric combination wrenches from 8 to 19 mm is also available. Mechanic-quality 290mm and 200mm long ratchets featuring a durable fine satin finish round off this latest premium tool release.

Critical emergency parts should be purchased from a well-known, reliable company. High quality Booster cables are now available from Schwaben Tools. The 6-gauge copper, multi-strand cables are 12 feet long, making the emergency jump start hassle-free in any situation. Rated at 400 Amps, the vinyl-coated Schwaben cables are designed to last.

If you're running a performance filter, intake, or tune, the factory turbo inlet hose will start to show its weaknesses. The OEM rubber hose disrupts airflow as it passes over the often collapsed accordion sections, negating the effects of intake modifications. Engineered in-house, the ECS Silicone Turbo Inlet Hose is constructed from high quality, 3-ply silicone providing a strong though flexible structure, ensuring a perfect fit. The smooth interior provides unimpeded airflow, while a tasteful unassuming exterior appearance adds a classy touch to your MKIV GLI 1.8T engine bay.

Oxygen sensors deteriorate over time and commonly reduce engine efficiency long before they start storing trouble codes and turning on the dashboard check engine light. Gradual contamination slows their range and response, adversely affecting both performance and fuel economy. ECS offers Bosch Rear Position Oxygen Sensors for your VW GLI, making it simple to regain the efficiency and power your engine left the factory with.

Keep your cuts clean and your connections clamped tight with these new Schwaben tools. The CV boot clamp pliers will assist in maintaining the factory look by utilizing ear-type clamps found on CV axle boots, vacuum lines, and fuel lines right from the factory. The Schwaben mini tube cutter will cut hardlines with a smooth, straight finish making it easy to flare and fit. For the enthusiasts looking to complete a job, and leave it with the appearance that it was never touched.

Coming to a finish of an under-the-hood project is a sight that any enthusiast can enjoy. The other finish we enjoy the sight of is the paint finish, unblemished and grease free. The best way to ensure you maintain this appearance while working under the hood is with a fender cover. The ECS Magnetic fender cover features Soft magnets to hold tight in place, soft non-scratch leather on the front, and goose flannelette backing. Don't risk it, stay covered.

The easiest, most transformative modification for your VW is a set of new, perfectly selected wheels. Alzor wheels offers an array of 5x100 bolt pattern wheels for your VW available in various colors, finishes, and spoke designs. The entire line of Alzor alloy wheels are inspected and go through rigorous quality control and durability testing. Every wheel comes with a TÜV Rheinlan approval and is stamped with the familiar JWL and VIA stamps, giving you the confidence to drive aggressively on your new running gear.

The easiest, most transformative modification for your VW is a set of new, perfectly selected wheels. Alzor wheels offers an array of 5x112 bolt pattern wheels for your VW available in various colors, finishes, and spoke designs. The entire line of Alzor alloy wheels are inspected and go through rigorous quality control and durability testing. Every wheel comes with a TÜV Rheinlan approval and is stamped with the familiar JWL and VIA stamps, giving you the confidence to drive aggressively on your new running gear.

It's the new year, it's time for some new tools. Every one of these Schwaben tools are built to last and are easy to use. The Thread Chaser Set includes the most popular metric sizes so you can restore corroded, damaged or stripped threads.The Metric Bubble Flaring kit is a must have for anyone replacing steel brake lines. The Memory Saver Kit allows you to connect a separate power source (9 volt household battery, or separate 12 volt battery) up to your OBDII port under the dashboard when replacing a battery, preserving radio presets and settings, and other vehicle memory.

The Schwaben 6-Liter Extractor/Filler System makes changing oil, ATF, or any type of fluid easy and mess free. This easy to use tool is no doubt the best Extractor/Filler for the money. Easily change to pump in or out with the flip of a lever, and use the extendable foot step for stability while pumping. All of the included adapters mount on the tank for convenient storage. This is a manual pump which requires no electricity or air pressure to operate, and has a built in pressure/vacuum gauge for easy monitoring to prevent overpumping.

The factory shifter cable bracket system fitted to the MKIV GLI has been identified as a source of sloppy shifts, missed gears, bracket and bushing failure, and even transmission failure. Extended exposure to heat causes the plastic OE shifter cable bracket to flex and eventually break. APR has designed a Solid Shifter Cable Bracket to permanently resolve this factory design oversight. Utilizing CNC-machined solid mounts to eliminate the failure-prone rubber bushings, and cast 304 stainless steel to replace the flexible plastic bracket, this APR upgrade is the final solution.

Things getting a little flabby south of the hood latch? Is mashing on the "go" pedal producing wheel hop or worrisome driveline vibration? If your factory mounts have thrown in the towel, don't waste your time installing more of the same. Move up to tough and durable mounts and bushings from ECS Tuning. Made of premium aluminum, plated steel, and potent polyurethane, our mounts and bushings are made for anyone who wants something more than parts designed for "average" drivers

Those who own a vehicle with gas hood shocks know they aren't always reliable if they even work at all. The Schwaben Telescoping hood prop takes the risk out of being in the engine bay, especially on a windy day. This hood prop is adjustable, lightweight, and sturdy making it easy to keep out of the way in the trunk so its there anytime you need it. Hold up, here's an extra hand

The 3-Liter European Pressure brake bleeder is designed to bleed and flush your brake system like a pro. This easy to use fully loaded pressure bleeder is no doubt the best pressure bleeder for the money. The customers looking for more, upgrade to the Multi-functional fluid pump kit that does all this plus and be used as an ATF filler. For those that prefer to leave flushing your brakes to the shop we offer a smaller fluid bleeding only option that comes in handy when doing brake jobs. Both products ensure your satisfaction in pedal feel and ease of use.

Why use wheel studs instead of wheel bolts? When removing and installing wheels that utilize the factory wheel bolts, excessive, unnecessary wear is placed on the wheel hub itself. This premature wear on an expensive component is costly and difficult to repair. Wheel studs also allow the use of varying length wheel spacers - a highly convenient feature for those that anticipate using different spacer size setups in the future.

Looking to improve your vehicle's handling characteristics without spending massive amounts of money? If so, this new ECS Strut Tower Brace is perfect for you. A strut brace is designed to reduce strut tower flex by tying two parallel strut towers together. This transmits the load of each strut tower during cornering, resulting in reduced chassis flex. The show-quality brace is made of steel and mounts to your VW with stainless steel hardware. With only 4 bolts holding it in place it's an easy install.

Plastic coolant connections are consistently subjected to thermal cycling, and can weaken and become brittle with age. Considering the importance of adequate engine cooling, coolant fitting upgrades are always a wise investment. ECS has brought you a cast-aluminum replacement for the plastic coolant split pipe. This highly failure-prone fitting can be responsible for a sudden, major coolant leak – over-heating engine internals, causing catastrophic damage. The ECS coolant split pipe will withstand excessive abuse, restoring faith in your cooling system.

Knock, knock. Who's there? If your MKIV suspension is knocking, trust us, it's no joke. When your control arm bushings start clangin' and bangin', they're warning you that they need to be replaced. Problem is, most of us don't have access to the equipment needed to install fresh bushings in old control arms. That's why we're offering control arm assemblies already fitted with polyurethane bushings that tighten suspension feel, restore vehicle safety, and last many miles longer than stock rubber bushings.

Give 'em what they want: cold hard cash. ECS Tuning Gift Certificates are the gift that won't get returned because it's the wrong size, style, or color. ECS gift cards come in different denominations, from 10 to 100 dollars, to fit any budget. These certificates are sure to please your favorite auto enthusiast, and they're a lot easier to wrap than a bowling ball!

A truly transformative yet simple exterior upgrade, FK European Smoked Headlights offer a broader more crisp beam pattern and increased brightness without increased bulb wattage. The FK kit includes driver and passenger side headlights, with integrated angel eyes, a blacked-out housing, and the crisper European projected beam pattern. Included is a wiring harness for plug-and-play installation - choose a set of H7 halogen bulbs for the high/low beams and a set of H3 bulbs for the fog lights.

Before your next stop light liftoff, add a space age digital system monitor to your cockpit. P3Cars Vent Integrated Digital Interface is a plug-and-play data display that "fits like factory" into the left side dash vent, in easy view of the pilot seat. Pop it in and plug it into your car's onboard diagnostic connector. Then scroll through critical vehicle parameters and monitor manifold pressure, system temperatures, and other vital stats. No programming, cutting, or splicing. Just tons of fun.

Known world-wide primarily for their creative and original Porsche offerings, Rennline Inc. is not only the distributor, but manufacturer of the majority of products that wear the Rennline name. Rennline offerings are some of the most innovative and creative product designs on the market. RS-Style Door Pull Sets, available in an array of colors, are a clever way to bring the race-oriented interior stylings of the RS-Line Porsche models to your car.

Stock diverter valves just can't handle performance upgrades. Add a little boost and they get all weak in the knees and blow the diaphragm to pieces. . Forge knows this. That's why they've engineered boost-hardy diverter valves tough enough to take the pressure without blowing their lids. These are completely serviceable valves with an aluminum piston and o-ring seal, compared to the easily tearing rubber diaphragm found in the OEM valve. Includes 3 different springs to fine tune the valve to your liking!

Your OEM plastic hood pull release was an unfortunate design that could break at any moment and usually at the worst possible time. A broken hood pull will leave your hood shut in the secondary position, making it frustrating to try and get open. Replace your fragile plastic hood pull release with an attractive hood pull from ECS Tuning. Far stronger than the factory piece, the ECS hood pull will outlast any factory comparison. Now available in blue and red!

Rare cars are commonly owned and pampered by motorists who appreciate the rarity and value of their purchase. If you own a GLI, you don't skimp when it comes to repairs. That's why we're happy to offer a complete clutch kit tough enough to handle the brute power generated by the specially tuned engines in these performance cars. Our complete Valeo kit contains a single mass flywheel, concentric release bearing, diaphragm-style pressure plate, and clutch disc with large torsion springs to damp vibration.

Guesswork is expensive. It leads to costly repair errors that compromise vehicle safety. Talented pro-sumer or repair professional, you need accurate vehicle data and specifications. That's why ECS is happy to offer an entire inventory of Bentley manuals, a reliable, respected source of repair data for many European vehicles. Books or CDs, all are carefully edited and illustrated. A worthwhile investment.