ECS News

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.

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.

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.

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.

Racingline has released an excellent Sport Spring Kit for the MKV Rabbit. While these springs do offer the handling and styling benefits of a stiffer, lower spring, the change is a tasteful departure from factory. Daily driving comfort is not compromised, lowering a subtle but instantly noticeable 20-25mm. Developed in Europe exclusively for your Volkswagen, Racingline Sport Springs are a smart, reasonable suspension upgrade.

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.

Tails you win. No matter which tail light treatment you choose, our assortment of stylish, easy-to install upgrades is sure to brighten your MKV GTI/Rabbit/R32. Choose from Euro-look, smoked, smoked cherry, or black lenses, some with stock bulbs, others with LEDs for a high-tech bright light that's sure to be noticed. No matter which set you choose, rest assured that these assemblies from VW/Audi and name brand aftermarket names like Hella, Jom, and Helix, will fit right and look great.

When replacing your water pump, what happens in your cooling system is that the burden of wear transfers to a different part, one that will then need to be replaced itself at a later point. By attending to the entire water pump system at the same time, the system remains a self-contained, quality high functioning unit. ECS has assembled a convenient Water Pump Replacement Kit replete with all gaskets, bolts pulleys, tensioners, securing bolts, and even a gallon of coolant, helping you do the job the first time the right way.

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.

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 325ft/lbs. through 525ft/lbs. clutch ratings.

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.

GEOMET® is a special coating containing metal oxides, zinc, and aluminum flakes, sprayed over the entire rotor surface to ensure complete coverage, and baked on at 600 degrees to form a durable and attractive silver-gray finish that fights rust far better than paints or other conventional coatings. Slotted or drilled and slotted, you can expect your new GEOMET® rotors to outperform and outlast stock rotors, and look great behind your alloy wheels.

The belly pans equipped on modern Volkswagens have always appeared to be under-engineered, cost-cutting parts which provide no real protection from everyday impacts. Many enthusiasts have chosen not to upgrade this protective cover, a decision which can leave critical engine & drivetrain components vulnerable to damage while driving. ECS Tuning has a much more sensible solution – The Street Shield Skid Plate features corrosion resistant, 3/16" thick 5052 aluminum, with black zinc-coated steel hardware, offering complete engine undercarriage protection.

Premium Exact-Fit lines from ECS Tuning, are made of special materials, unlike stock brake hoses made of synthetic rubber (EPDM) surrounded by fabric mesh reinforcement that is then encased in another layer of rubber. The core of an ECS Tuning Exact-Fit line on the other hand is made of extruded PTFE. Stronger than rubber, PTFE swells less under pressure, is flexible and durable, and is unaffected by chemicals that can damage EPDM hoses, including petroleum-based fluids. DOT Compliant Stainless Brake Lines.

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!

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. Both conical and ball seat lug nuts are available for a maximum of 10mm or 20mm wheel spacer use.

Add the convenience and safety of automatic headlights to your car and never worry about turning your lights on again. Even at dusk or during a storm, low light levels are recognized by the sensing unit, and your headlights will be automatically turned on as needed. Provide maximum safety for yourself, your passengers, and others by installing this automatic headlight kit. Bright light keeps them off, conserving power and extending the life of the bulbs.

Innovative must have accessories from Double Apex, JCaps, and Rennline add a personal touch to any MK5 VW. Bring functionality to your dummy switches with Double Apex. The switch design and lighting seamlessly mesh with your VW's interior to give a sophisticated, factory-installed look. JCaps billet machined accessories dress up your engine bay and interior for a high quality touch. Rennline offerings are some of the most innovative and creative product designs on the market. From the RS Style Door Pull Sets to their clever Tow Hook Mounted License Plate Bracket.

Worried about that really bad storm? The mother of all blizzards where your all seasons tires don't get it done, and there are more cars in the ditch than on the road? Rest easy. We have a solution: ISSE Textile Tire Chains. So light a child can lift them. Easy to install no matter where you are. Just slip them over your tires, and get instant traction. Available in different grades depending on frequency of use, in sizes for most vehicles. Keep a set in your trunk so you can stop worrying and get a grip when winter gets ugly.

When addressing a vehicle's braking system, it can be easy to overlook brake fluids. It's not always clear which parts are necessary to do the job correctly - usually resulting in unnecessary time and expense. ECS has assembled three Brake Fluid Flush Kits, each containing the convenient Motive Power Bleeder, Schwaben Bleeder Wrench, and one liter of brake fluid - everything needed for a basic servicing. The level 2 Kit includes a Motive Catch Bottle Set; the level 3 kit further improves the level 2 kit with high-performance TYP 200 brake fluid.

In most cases the best way to get the perfect gift in the holiday season is to go with a solid choice gift card. This makes shopping convenient and simple for both the person giving the gift and the person receiving. With an ECS Tuning gift card the family European enthusiast can choose from needed replacement parts, upgrades, or the next tool for the collection. ECS also offers a virtual gift card, perfect for last minute shopping or if your looking to set a custom amount, maybe enough to get the product you know they want but not quite sure on the fitment? 


Changing the suspension setup on a refined German car often times feels like meddling with perfection. With an advanced, highly wrought coilover system, you can be confident your addition is a reliable improvement. ST coilovers by KW are made of high grade, galvanized steel, and come with a 5 year limited warranty. With engineering tailored specifically to your VW, preset damping and height adjustability provide the perfect balance between performance and ride comfort.

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.