ECS News

Upgrading to Clear Corner markers will dramatically increase the appeal of your VW B5 Passat 1.8T, with a sleek chrome appearance and European-style clear lens. The factory headlights are ruined by the tacky amber corners; Ziza Clear Corners instantly and easily improve the aesthetics of the front of your VW. Kits include left and right Ziza Clear Corners and conveniently retain the stock bulb harness and holder for a painless installation. Note: Will only fit B5 chassis cars with 2-piece headlight & sidemarkers; does not fit B5.5 chassis cars.

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 & 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 265ft/lbs. through 525ft/lbs. clutch ratings.

ECS Exact-Fit stainless reinforced brake lines provide more confident and dependable stopping by maintaining consistent brake pressure, long lasting corrosion resistance, and increased protection from failure. Even when new, factory style fabric mesh lined rubber hoses are prone to expansion under the pressure of hard braking, whether it be highway panic stops or threshold braking at the track. Our lines are braided with stainless steel mesh, affording expansion resistance. This resistance to expansion creates a firmer pedal, and more direct pedal feel.

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.

Features of convenience and versatility define this latest group of industry-standard hand tools from Schwaben, the European specialty tool experts. The 24-inch long, flexible Locking Hose Clamp Pliers make removing metal or plastic self-tightening hose clamps an infinitely more simple and quick task. For oil & fuel filter removal, Schwaben's 4-position adjustable Swivel Jaw Filter Wrench Pliers feature Sure-Grip teeth to provide the right amount of clamping force for the job. The superb 12-piece Metric Socket Set completes this latest new and exciting Schwaben product release.

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.

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.

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're fortunate enough to drive your car all year round in nice weather then read no further. For the rest of us who are forced to drive through snow and salt-covered roads the last thing any of us want to do is tear up a nice set of summer wheels. Fortunately, at ECS we have a wide selection of inexpensive wheels that won't break the bank! With sizes from 17x7.0", 17x7.5" & 18x8.0" in a wide array of custom styling -- you can mount your favorite set of snow tires and look good too. Protected against corrosion in Hyper Silver or Matte Black finishes.

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.

Hi-tech look; lo-tech install. Adding a smart looking carbon fiber engine cover is a sure-fire way to style the look of your 1.8T. Easy to install, our fiber-reinforced covers mount at the factory cover mounting points; no mods or special tools required. Each hand laid carbon fiber engine cover has a high gloss gel coat that shines bright and cleans up easily with soap and water.

Alzor Style 627s are now available for your B5. The machined matte-black wheels are well suited to the Passat, giving the appearance of a factory performance option rather than a randomly chosen, cheap upgrade. The 627s are also VIA certified, having passed tests that simulate extreme loads, curb impacts, and sudden blunt forces - giving you peace of mind that the wheel will not deform or lose air pressure over time. Sets of four ET45 and ET35 wheels are available, both including four 66.6mm to 57.1mm hub-centric rings and center caps.

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.

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 VW engineers intended. Both left (driver) and right (passenger) harnesses are available.

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.

Improve braking performance with an ECS Tuning Big Brake Kit. Bolt on larger 312mm GEOMET® coated rotors in either slotted or slotted-and-drilled. Then mount your original calipers away from the spindle centerline with the kit's larger caliper carriers for added mechanical leverage and shorter stops. No need to cough up extra bucks for a set of larger calipers, and you can go on buying readily available standard sized brake pads. Brake your car, without breaking the bank.

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.

Replacing cooling system components and performing a proper coolant flush will ensure a long life for your cooling system. Most of the cooling system components are exposed to very high temperatures and repeated thermal cycling. Heat-hardening causes warping and cracking that leads to coolant loss and possible engine damage from overheating. Avoid headaches altogether and replace all problematic items at once to keep your cooling system running efficiently.

Passat's have such depth of style and presence - choosing an aftermarket wheel to compliment these cars requires careful consideration. Alzor wheels have been designed specifically for your vehicle, making your decision easier. The style 628 wheel matches the Passat's soft yet purposeful lines, enhancing the overall appearance of the Passat without being distracting. Sets of four twisted 5-spoke wheels are available in 17", 18", 19", ET35 & ET45 offsets, finished in either gunmetal or gloss black.

Having the right tools for the job at hand always makes your project much easier. The Schwaben VAG Connector Removal Tool is an Audi/VW/Porsche owner's best friend. The tool fits directly on the push & pull style VAG connector and gives just the perfect amount of leverage to release the connector and not break the tab. This style connector is often found on mass air flow (MAF) sensor, coil packs, headlights/fog lights, level sensors, and countless other parts. A large ergonomic ball that fits into your palm is also fitted on the end of the tool for extra grip.

Your B5 Passat features highly individualized design elements that make successfully complementing the vehicle with aftermarket wheels a serious challenge. The Alzor Style 349 features a split-spoke design that accentuates rather than distracts from the Passats natural musculature. Finished in hyper silver. Designed to bolt right up to your car, the 349 fits perfectly without modification. Available in 17x7.5" | 18x8.0" | 18x9.0" | 19x8.5" | 19x9.5" | Square or Staggered

Quit fussing with wood blocks, ramps, and the like with the Schwaben Low Boy floor jack. The Low Boy is low-profile, allowing you to sneak it under the ground-hugging rockers on your lowered car. Constructed of lightweight aluminum, this floor jack features a front central roller for increased ease of use and maneuverability. If you work on your car, you'll be doing some lifting. Get the right equipment with the Schwaben Low Boy floor jack, a great compliment to the other Schwaben tools in your arsenal. Atta' Boy.

The B5 Passat features highly individualized design elements that make successfully complementing the vehicle with aftermarket wheels a serious challenge. Alzor Style 010 wheels feature a split-spoke mesh design that accentuates rather than distracts from the VW's natural steel musculature. Silver or Gold, staggered or square sets of 17"or 18" wheels are available with 1.5", 2", 2.5" or 3" machined lips, and include 57.1mm hubcentric rings to ensure vibration-free fitment on your vehicle.

Whenever working on your car's interior or disassembling interior or trunk components to access exterior body parts, it's not uncommon to break or lose various fasteners and clips. Reinstallation becomes a hack job, with interior panels and linings hanging unsecured. ECS now offers a single kit including the most common clips and fasteners used on your VW, allowing you to restore unsecured parts to factory - and better prepare for your next project.

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, overheating, or erratic temperature gauge readings after a cooling system service - Problems with coolant uptake or circulation - Cooling system leaks

Why a strut nut socket? To secure shocks and struts to their mounts, the retaining nut must be torqued to its proper specification with the use of a torque wrench. Strut nut sockets allow for the use of an Allen wrench to hold the damper shaft while utilizing a torque wrench on the socket to achieve proper torque. Schwaben, a company known for exceptionally crafted specialty tools, now offers 18mm, 19mm, 21mm, 22mm, and 24mm Strut Nut Sockets for your own suspension project. A superb addition to any home mechanic's tool arsenal, this latest Schwaben release is built to last.

There's one word for Alzor Style 020: classic. Flat-faced multispoke design. Polished aluminum lips. Jewel-like wheel bolts. Brushed aluminum center caps. It all adds up to a classic and classy addition to your 5x112 bolt-pattern Volkswagen. Available in 18x8,18x9,18x10,19x8.5,19x9.5, square or staggered fitments, Style 020 wheels feature flush-fitting offsets and are hub-centric for your application. A timeless design that complements both modern and period-correct vehicles. We've got plenty of Alzor Style 020s. Get some for yourself.

For years, ECS Tuning has been your trusted source for original, aftermarket, and performance parts for your European car. Our team of enthusiasts have worked hard to build the best catalog in the industry, providing you with the knowledge and expertise to keep your car looking, sounding, and performing great year after year.

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.

Rule #1: Use the right tool for the job. This Brake Caliper Piston Tool Kit from Schwaben is essential for changing your pads or servicing your rear brake calipers. If your caliper pistons need to be simply pressed back in, or if they're threaded and require screwing back in, we've got the caliper piston tool you want. Make sure you're prepared with the right tool for the job with this Brake Caliper Piston Tool Kit from Schwaben Tools.