Back in 2018, we sent a MK5 Jetta Sportwagen pre-production car on a ‘final voyage’ before it was destined for the crusher. Over the course of a few months, the JSW was built and outfitted for driving across the country and up to the Dalton Highway to the tip of North America’s western coast. To [...]
We spend a great deal of time focused on the most popular enthusiast models chosen by the community to drive, modify, build, race, and showcase. It makes sense, because those cars, like the E46 M3, MK7 GTI, B8 A4, and other extremely popular performance cars are what most enthusiasts drive. However, we aren’t exclusive to [...]
Warm weather is already here for much of the country. After we survived that nasty polar vortex, the rising temperatures are certainly welcome, especially for those of us itching to get back to enjoying our cars. Shows will ramp up soon, the first one on our schedule is next weekend at Riverside 6 in Chattanooga, [...]
Have you ever wondered how that ECS Tuning upgrade came to be? Of course, all performance parts begin their life with a need to perform better or differently than the original part, but how does it grow from idea to finished product? Here at ECS, we’re all enthusiasts, which allows us to draw inspiration from [...]
The VW MK7 R has been in our hands long enough now that some of its weak points have become clear to owners and enthusiasts. If you’re looking for a second-hand MK7 R, chances are, these issues have already been addressed, but it’s certainly something to look out for and check the service history. Whether [...]
The MK7 Golf R is VW’s best-performing out of the box hot hatchback solution. It draws enthusiasts to its 292hp turbocharged version of the MQB Gen3 engine, all-wheel-drive system, available manual transmission, and practical 5-door hatchback layout. While it is still new, the MK7 R has not posed too many reliability concerns in the first [...]
We’re cranking out the hits lately. First, the MK5/6 2.0T FSI/TSI fabricated aluminum intake manifold drew tons of attention from big turbo builds. Now, we’re helping you reach those goals to reduce weight and increase efficiency. The new in-house designed MK5, MK6, and MK7 GTI/Golf R OEM Intercooler Delete Brackets are the best way to [...]
The Volkswagen MK4 GTI with the 1.8T engine is one of the most commonly modified platforms available. Thanks to its availability, affordability, and the aftermarket support offered for this engine, it’s more of a question of where to start rather than what to do. Everyone knows bolt-on upgrades paired with a software tune are the [...]
If you’re in the market for a new headache (project car,) there’s no better time to get started than in the winter. You’re not going to be driving, you spend a lot of time at home, and need something to keep that seasonal depression at bay. Why not take advantage of those aspects and do [...]
The 2.0T FSI/TSI engine has the potential for substantial power. Despite its small displacement, the power ceiling is fairly high for even simple bolt-ons. An intake, turbo-back exhaust, coil packs, software upgrade, and a K04 turbo make the 2.0T an absolute weapon. However, in the process, weak points that would otherwise not be an issue [...]