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. Four clutch stages and different driving styles are accommodated for, allowing you to carefully choose the exact clutch for your needs. The torque requirements of daily drivers, drag racers, endurance cars, and more extreme applications are covered by 265 ft/lbs through 525 ft/lbs clutch ratings.

If you want to turn every head on the street as you drive by, then look no further. Beauty and muscle have met their match with the stunning looks of wheels from 3SDM and Neuspeed. With bold eye catching colors such as satin bronze, machine silver, red, gunmetal, and more, these wheels are the finishing touch you've been looking for. Combining their muscular looks and the beauty of their timeless designs with your lowered suspension will guarantee a breath-taking appearance. And when you see how affordable they are, they'll be as good as yours!

Get the best from our premium, corrosion-resistant rotors: GEOMET®. 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.

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.

Certain Volkswagen owners have had the luxury of being able to control window up and down functions via the keyfob remote. Now you can enjoy the same feature on your VW Passat/New Beetle. The KVW100 is a single use flash load device that will program your Jetta convenience control module with the necessary coding to control your windows via key fob remote. Installation is extremely easy and can be completed in minutes. Please note, this is not a feature that can be enabled via VAG-COM; this unit flashes the convenience control module with new coding.

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.

Make sure your plugs are firing at voltage levels that ensure optimal combustion and peak performance. If your old coils are tired and unable to do the job, an ignition service kit from ECS Tuning will put some zap in the gap when you need it most. Our ignition service kits are easy to install and come with everything you need to restore secondary ignition efficiency firing at voltage levels sure to get the most from each and every power stroke.

Volkswagen recognized the demand from older model MKIV and B5 owners for a modern Bluetooth-enabled, full-function head unit. The genuine VW Radio Upgrade adds an auxiliary input, USB port, and Bluetooth calling and audio streaming to your car, updating your calling and media experience in a single upgrade. The most authentic, complete head unit upgrade available for your B5 Passat, the red-lit buttons & white screen modernizes your interior while matching your existing controls. Enjoy hands-free calling, MP3 and Bluetooth Streaming, and AUX input with this plug-and-play unit.

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.

An easy way to transform the appearance of the front of your B5 Passat is through simple, effective lighting upgrades. Spyder Lighting Products for your VW European Headlight Kits in Black or Chrome finishes. The increased power output possible with these upgrades is a welcomed safety feature, while the unique, subtle styling refresh of the housings themselves adds a needed design upgrade to your Passat.

Bentley Service Manuals are the most comprehensive source of repair information and specifications for VW B5 Passat 1.8T models from 1998 to 2005. The aim throughout this manual is simplicity and clarity, with practical explanations, step-by-step procedures and accurate specifications in abundance. Whether you're a service professional or do-it-yourself VW owner, this manual will help you understand, care for and repair your Passat.

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.

The DICE MediaBridge takes the hassle and aggravation out of playing your favorite audio source through your VW B5 Passat sound system. The DICE Media Bridge module turns your car stereo into a master control for USB storage drives, IPhone, iPod, or any audio device that can be plugged into the standard audio port. The unit supplies high-fidelity audio to meet the demands of even the most discerning audiophile.

Developed by the most distinguished experts of this industry, the VAG Professional Scan Tool is one of the most powerful aftermarket tools available for VW/AUDI vehicles. Delivering OE-level diagnostic power, the Foxwell Scanner requests and records live sensor data, provides live data graphing, reads and clear codes, turns off MILs and supports all 10 OBD II test modes. Owning a Foxwell Scan Tool separates you from the average car enthusiast, empowering you with manufacturer-level diagnostic and analytic capabilities.

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.

If you're running more boost than your stock hose can handle, Forge has your replacement. The thick silicone rubber Turbo Inlet Hose is reinforced with nylon cording to provide stability and durability. An attractive gloss finish imprinted with the Forge brand name oozes performance, while smooth bends and inner surfaces increase airflow for real-world results. Forge has even included new hose clamps for a professional-quality installation.

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.

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 Ultra kits with water pump, thermostat, accessory belts, bolts, and seals. ECS: we have what you need to get it done.

Why not replace your worn stock clutch with something special? 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. If performance is job one on your to-do list, ECS Tuning flywheel kits deliver.

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.

A failed air injection pump is more than a noisy annoyance. Bad pumps store a fault code and turn on your check engine light, a sure way to fail your local emissions test. Dying pumps don't go quietly. As they fail, they make a loud buzzing noise, audible shortly after a cold engine start up; continuing for a minute or so after that. Our secondary air pump can put your air injection system back to normal, eliminate all that racket, and turn off that pesky dash light.

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.

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.