ECS News

Schwaben & ECS offer an extensive line of standard & European specialty tools for your collection, as well as high quality items to help keep your car cleaner while getting work done and improve mobility for both you and your tools.

The German TUV (Technical Inspection Association) has determined that in several European countries the clearance between fender and tire must be adequate to accommodate snow chains when safety requires. In North America, where no such law exists, you have the option of restoring VW's original intention of providing a focused driver's machine by widening their stance, improving road-holding and performance aesthetics. Improve your stance appeal with an ECS spacers & appropriate-length bolts setup.

An easy to install, inexpensive method of completety refreshing the appearance of the rear of your VW B5 Passat, new tail lights also make your vehicle more visible to others. ECS supplies an exciting range of new tail light options for your Passat - Depo, TYC, and Magneti Marelli all offer their own take on wagon and sedan B5 Passat rear tails. Choose from more conservative, subtle red lenses, stylish Euro tails or the instantly recognizable W8-style rear tail lights.

With the weather turning for the worst be prepared and protect your VW. Unimpeded, road salt and moisture wreak all sorts of havoc. They corrode metal components, and send electrical current scurrying down conductive paths the factory never dreamed of. The ECS Street Shield Skid Plate features corrosion resistant aluminum, with black zinc-coated steel hardware, offering complete engine undercarriage protection. ISSE Textile Snow Chains are great to keep a set in your trunk so you can stop worrying and get a grip when winter gets ugly.

Are you serious about looks and performance? Is your car always on the cutting edge of both? If you've answered yes to these questions, then our ECS Wheel Spacer Fitment Kit is for you. When you don't have time for second best, you've got to have the right tools. Eliminating all guesswork, this wheel spacer fitment kit will allow you to quickly and easily test multiple different thicknesses to get your wheels right where you want them. With a quick test fit, you'll have the right spacers the first time, every time.

Schwaben's Professional Spring Compressor Kit is a safe and efficient way to compress strut springs. This set is supplied with every thing you need to get the job done like a pro. Each jaw has safety lips to eliminate slip and is designed to fit the pitch of the spring to ensure maximum surface contact between the jaws and the spring. Interchangeable jaws are easily changed to correct size for the application. Maximum jaw opening is 300mm.

If you've been putting off required maintenance on your car you surely shouldn't wait much longer. There are only a few more weeks left before the weather turns for the worse, leaving the DIY'er only a short window to get your vehicle back to maintenance standards before you're left out in the cold. At ECS Tuning we've assembled multiple kits of all the major services to help you avoid troublesome hang-ups and costly repairs. Most kits include additional components that should be replaced at same time of service to avoid doing the same repair twice.

Ideal for the Euro enthusiast enjoying an aggressive lowered ride height, Schwaben Low Profile 2 Ton Aluminum Floor Jack allows you to sneak under the ground-hugging rockers on your car. Constructed from lightweight aluminum, this exceptionally durable floor jack features a long and low profile curve for extended reach under the car. The specialty tool experts at Schwaben have designed this jack with a max lift height of 20" and a low height of just 3.25". Dual pump pistons raise the saddle to its maximum height in only 5 pump strokes with minimum effort.

Few things date a car and make it look older than its years than a sorry set of sandblasted headlights. Yellowed. Pummeled by years of road salt and abrasive dirt. A danger after dark due to diminished lighting. Original equipment replacements? Pricey. Boring. Yawn. Why not do your Passat a favor and upgrade to a pair of E-Code halogens with fog and city lights, or a sleek set of smoked headlight assemblies with Euro style reflectors and angel eye accents.

Features of convenience and ease of use define this latest Schwaben Specialty Tools release. The Schwaben Telescoping Round/Rectangular Mirror offers an 9-1/2" to 29" extendable handle with a stainless steel shaft, plus a 2-1/4" mirror head mounted on a dual swivel for a full 360 degree rotation. The Schwaben Telescoping Magnet is rated to pick up 3.5 lbs. Its stainless steel shaft is 7" collapsed and 26" extended, while its powerful magnet is encased in a aluminum sleeve to help prevent side of magnet from sticking.

Schwaben has just released new additions to their ever expanding tool catalog that continue in the superbly engineered fashion as their older tools. Schwaben has added a 4pc Extension Set, 4pc Plier Set, 15pc Deep Impact Socket Set, and an 8pc Long Torx Socket set – all are sure to become your go-to tools when you’re working on your European vehicle. All come with that great Schwaben quality that you've come to know and expect.

Hot selling B5 side markers are on our shelves again, ready to ship. ECS brand side markers are an easy, affordable way to upgrade your car and personalize its appearance according to your own personal taste. Both rough and smooth styles are available for your fender and bumper. Select kits include four amber wedge bulbs to keep an amber flash when using turn signals. Another ECS-exclusive upgrade, the stunning Ziza LED Side Marker Lights add individuality and modernity to your Passat in minutes.

Fresh coolant is paramount to safe & reliable engine operation. Unfortunately, the process of bleeding air out of your cooling system during a coolant refresh is tedious and therefore often neglected. ECS offers a highly convenient solution to the tedium & frustration associated with a coolant servicing – the Schwaben Coolant Evacuation Kit. The unique kit resolves several common cooling system issues: - No heat or overheating, or erratic temperature gauge readings after a cooling system service - Problems with coolant uptake or circulation - Cooling system leaks

Owners of European automobiles often find that alongside the pleasures of driving a more refined, tasteful vehicle exists the very real challenge of finding the correct tool for these cars' unique fasteners. Featuring swivel-head triple-square bits, Torx screwdrivers, one hundred specialty fasteners, and the exceptionally sturdy go-through screwdriver set, the Schwaben European Essentials Tool Kit allows you to approach any project with confidence. Each tool is secured in a molded case, helping you keep track of your investment.

Why not replace your worn stock clutch with something special? Three stages & driving styles are accommodated for, allowing you to carefully choose the exact clutch for your needs. We have three great clutch conversion kits built around our ECS-engineered lightweight RA4 flywheel. This lightweight design reduces rotational mass for faster revs off idle, while its larger clutch contact surface improves clamping for better power transfer. Improved low-end throttle response. Smooth operation. Less lost power off the line. Stronger and tougher than the original.

You won't believe the difference an LED lighting package makes in your car until you see it with your own eyes. LED illumination is a far brighter and friendlier light, crisp and clean, especially when compared to the dingy yellow glow from conventional filament style bulbs. Now you can do a complete LED conversion using our Ziza LED Interior Lighting Kit. It contains all the LEDs needed for a total lighting upgrade. No need for guesswork or complicated ordering of individual bulbs.

From Schwaben Specialty Tools comes a tool every home mechanic should have in his arsenal. The 61" long adjustable Engine Support Bar adapts to any vehicle width, and supports a full 1000 lb weight rating. The support bar includes four rubber padded feet to prevent slipping and damage to your car's finish, while powder coating guarantees durability. A deluxe version of the support bar includes two-direction stability for added support. The Schwaben Engine Support Bar is the perfect tool for projects like engine mount replacement, subframe work, FWD transmission repair & more.

The combustion event inside the cylinder must be carefully controlled to realize maximum power and efficiency. Upgrade to the 2.0T ignition coils to ensure your fuel mixture burns rapidly, thoroughly, and reliably, while enhancing the beauty of your engine bay. The stage I ECS Kit includes everything needed for the conversion: stainless steel hardware and a 2.0T Coil Pack Conversion Plate (3 color options). The stage II Kit adds aluminum Coil Pack Hold Downs (3 color options) to keep pressure on the coil pack—a simple and attractive solution to coils popping out of location.

A broken timing belt does more than leave you in tennis shoe mode; it causes extensive expensive engine damage when piston heads mangle valves. Don't wait for disaster to strike. Check our assortment of timing belts and belt kits. We have you covered: from basic belt-tensioner combos to Ultimate kits with water pump, thermostat, accessory belts, bolts, seals, and ECS lightweight pulleys. ECS: we have what you need to get it done.

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.

Have you ever had that moment when your brake pedal all of the sudden gets very soft making it hard to brake properly? Then a blown out brake line may have been your problem. The remedy for this is replacing the line which many people will take to the shop and pay a lot of extra money for something that is much easier than you may think. Schwaben has the tools needed to do so, the cutting tool will make a clean rounded cut on the line, while the bubble flare tool helps create the perfect seal so you can be on your way.

Wanting to go for a ride but you don’t want to pack the bikes inside? Hitch em up! Perfect for the bike enthusiast or recreational rider, the 1.25" SplitRail can accommodate 2 bikes, while the 2" model can handle 2, 3, or 4 bikes. Each strut is engineered with 4" of side-to-side adjustment, which makes fitting anything from kids to adult bikes simple and easy, and no tools are required to install/remove the rack from vehicle. Easily accessible release handle allows the SplitRail to be positioned into stow, use, and tilt positions.

If you know turbos, you know Forge. Specializing in the design and manufacture of premium quality valves, and hoses, they are the go-to choice for discriminating motorists who demand consistent turbo performance and hassle-free durability. Shop our list of turbo system accessories where you'll find parts and accessories designed to let you Forge ahead of the competition.

ECS Tuning is now supplying the excellent ECS Tuning Mechanic's Gloves for our dedicated following of DIY enthusiasts. Featuring a tailored elastic cuff and textured latex palms and finger tips, these work gloves are also breathable and comfortable with their knit top. Choose from Medium, Large, and Extra Large sizes. The Schwaben Folding Ground Pad is made from comfortable high density foam that will keep you off the hard garage floor. The heavy-duty covering resists oils and other fluids keeping it usable for weekends to come. Say NO to laying on cardboard forever!

Many VW B5 Passats have logged a ton of miles to date, and most have road-weary suspension setups. Aftermarket suspensions 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, Airlift, ST Suspensions, and KW have all compiled aftermarket suspension sets that allow you to dial in that perfect look for your Passat. Either keep your Passat static and spin it down to hug the road or air it out and lay frame for the ultimate low look.

The Schwaben 6 & 6.5L Fluid Extractor/Filler Systems make changing oil, ATF, or any type of fluid easy and mess free. These easy to use tools are undoubtedly the best Extractor/Fillers available on the market today. 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. Both pumps are manually operated, requiring zero electricity or air pressure to operate, and also feature a pressure/vacuum gauge for easy monitoring to prevent overpumping.

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. 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.

If adventure is what you seek, don't let anything slow you down. There's never been a better time than now to load up and take all of your gear along with roof racks and necessities from Yakima and Rockymounts. Wherever you go and whatever you take, these racks will hold it. Bikes, skis, snowboards, or surfboards, no problem. Cargo carriers, cage baskets, canoes, and kayaks, there are rack accessories, straps, and locks to hold them down. With many different designs, colors, and options, you'll find exactly what you need with the style that you are looking for.

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.

Automotive electrical work demands patience, knowledge, & above all else, the correct tools. European car owners oftentimes find themselves using ineffective, dangerous, & cumbersome methods when attending to electrical issues - Schwaben Tools has developed all the right solutions for these common problems. Offering 2 or 4 amp charging, LED setting indicators, and a reverse polarity warning, the Automatic Battery Charger is a highlight of this Schwaben release. The 12 Ft 6-Gauge Booster Cables are also offered, while the Coiled Cord Circuit Tester is ideal 6 to 24 volt systems.