ECS News

RockyMounts has been providing convenient products to transport some of your favorite outdoor toys and supplies to adventures for some time now. These mounts are ideal by saving space or simply using your compact vehicle to transport larger items. Don't let the size of your vehicle keep you indoors this time of year, expand your options and get the most out of life.

Take it to the streets with FK Street-Line coilovers. This affordable entry-level suspension package eliminates guesswork by combining full height adjustment at all four corners, with matching dampers, engineered with fixed, pre-calibrated settings to improve ride quality. The polished steel housings offset bright yellow springs for a great look. The large adjustment range improves vehicle appearance and handling while maintaining ride comfort suitable for a daily driver.

Wheel bearings are one of the most crucial components of a car's suspension. Located in the wheel hub, brake drum, or rotor itself, the bearings support the full weight of the vehicle while allowing the wheels to rotate smoothly within a steel enclosure. Dysfunctional bearings are simply the result of the rigors of daily driving, and should be replaced at the first sign of failure. Worn bearing symptoms range from loud noise emanating from the wheel hubs to rough ride characteristics. ECS presents several bearing solutions as well as an invaluable installation kit.

Rack and roll. In sun or snow, RockyMounts has a roof mount solution for your active lifestyle. Whether you're skiing, snow boarding, or cycling, RockMounts roof rack accessories are as easy to load as they are good looking. For a weekend with nature, a 14er Cargo Cage Roof Basket will handle up to 150 pounds of camping gear. Its scooped grille design keeps items in place, and sheds water and snow. The next time you plan a getaway, plan to take RockyMounts.

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? 


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 Front Position Oxygen Sensors for your VW B5 Passat 1.8T, making it simple to regain the efficiency and power your engine left the factory with.

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.

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.

While changing your own oil gives you the confidence of knowing your vehicle and how to address its basic needs, using inappropriate parts and fluids will soon prove to be counterproductive and damaging. The wisest and most thorough approach is to invest in a complete Oil Service Kit. ECS-assembled and genuine VW Oil Service Kits have been scrutinized by our in-house engineers so you can back up that confidence of having done the job on your own. Select kits include an ECS-original magnetic drain plug, attracting harmful metallic particles away from your lubrication system.

Periodic fluid/filter changes remove harmful dirt and metallic particles to head off automatic transmission failures and expensive repairs. Fresh fluid renews additive packages to improve shift quality and performance. ECS stocks what you need to perform routine service operations: from filters and gaskets, to premium fluids that meet stringent OEM standards. If you think it's time for a change, we can help.

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!

Schwaben's latest additions to their catalog of excellent specialty tools, the Automatic Battery Charger and Coiled Cord Circuit Tester are professional-quality, highly convenient tools that belong in every home mechanic's toolbox. Utilizing short circuit protection, 8 LED indicators, charging voltage auto-select, & selectable charging current, the Schwaben Automatic Battery Charger is designed to work on 6 or 12 volt Lead-acid batteries. Featuring an easily visible high-intensity LED bulb, the Schwaben Circuit Tester is a superb example of one of the most useful electrical tools.

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.