ECS News

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.

Add an aerodynamic look to your B5 Passat with our Front Aero Wiper Conversion Kit. Easy-to-install, this new VW option is imported from its European cousin. Start with style; finish with function. This is one upgrade that works as good as it looks. Its beam style wiper blade conforms to the front glass for a cleaner wipe, without blade noise or chatter. Complete kit installs in minutes using only a box or socket wrench.

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.

JOM has undertaken the engineering challenge of designing an adjustable coilover suspension system that meets German TUV quality and finish standards while keeping production and manufacturing costs significantly lower than competitors. The Blueline Coilover Kit represents the fulfillment of this mission, incorporating a threaded shock body and adjustable lower mount for a wide range of ride heights, while avoiding unnecessary expense to the consumer.

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.

Whether your factory turbo is failing, or you are just interested in upgrading to a more performance-oriented turbocharger system, the ECS assembled K04 Turbo and High Flow Manifold Kit contains all essential hardware and gaskets for a thorough, professional-quality installation. The ATP manifold is capable of flowing 50% more air, feeding the more robust, larger BorgWarner Turbo. Power gains are felt strongest at the top of the rpm range, where air flow rates are most restricted by the factory setup. The kit is a direct-fit, bolt-on addition, requiring no extra parts or tuning.

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

ECS Tuning's Ignition Solution kits utilize the more durable and desirable Hitachi style bolt-down ignition coils instead of the troublesome factory push-down ignition coils. Years of real-world testing has shown the Hitachi style coils to be much more durable than the push-down coils, along with the ease of being able to be secured to the valve cover with two allen head bolts so you don’t have to worry about them popping up.

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.

Maintaining adequate tension on the timing chain is its most basic purpose, keeping the correct level of slack in the chain to best balance noise levels and friction reduction. The second function of this deceptively advanced part is controlling cam timing, maintaining power through all rpms by rapidly adjusting the valve opening and closing event. ECS offers the Uro Cam Chain Tensioner, allowing your 1.8T the opportunity to make maximum power & maintain efficient timing chain operation.

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.

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 or titanium. 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.

ECS Tuning lets you tweak your stance - or swagger down the road with a 20mm monster offset. Engineered and tested in-house to fit your VW perfectly. Choose from our huge inventory of hub centric spacers in thicknesses sure to match your car, your wheels, and your shopping budget. All ECS VW spacers are aluminum, and are black anodized for corrosion protection. Kits come with correct-length lug bolts to ensure proper thread engagement for safe operation.

The most recognizable feature of the latest generation VW/Audi engines is the updated coil pack design. The new arrangement has been proven on supercars like the R8 and and RS7, as well as the hyper-luxurious S8, and now your B5 Passat 1.8T can enjoy this same aesthetic effect. Spark energy has also been improved for these coil packs, which are conveniently offered as a set of four.

Guesswork is expensive. It leads to costly repair errors that compromise vehicle safety. Talented pro-sumer or repair professional, you need accurate vehicle data and specifications. That's why ECS is happy to provide you with the Robert Bentley repair manuals; A reliable, respected source of repair data for many European vehicles. DVDs are carefully edited and illustrated. A worthwhile investment.