I'm currently running WL sway bars (front and rear) using stock 08+ STI endlinks. I keep hearing that aftermarket endlinks (WL, Kartboy or SuperPro) will be better. I think my stock endlinks are fine mechanically. I know that the main concern is that the stock ones are not lasting for long with bigger bars. But aside from that are there any additional benefits? Are they actually noticeably stiffer than OEMs and thus increase sway bar performance?

Thanks!

 

It doesn't look that way. In the previous GD/GG generation of WRX, Subaru decided to use PLASTIC endlinks with rubber bushings. This proved to be a problem for two reasons:
- stiffer aftermarket sway bars snapped the plastic
- the rubber bushing was softer than the aftermarket and that's compliance before the sway bar took real effect



However, for the GR/GH, the stock endlinks are these ball joint type:


- these are metal and are less susceptible to breaking due to stiffer bars; although actual strength difference between stock and after market is not quantified
- ball joints don't have the squish of stock rubber bushing type, so they don't have as much soft compliance before the sway bar goes into effect.

So.... probably for you generation STI (or WRX's) it's not a big deal to get aftermarket.

 

On my 06 the whitelines I had rusted out and the bushing tore with very minimal miles, a garbage product imo. The kartboy's are so much nicer quality., and they do feel noticeably nicer which I didn't expect. These were rear that had the problem.

 

Thanks, chimchimm5!

I wonder if anyone had "quantified" fresh GR OEM links vs aftermarket ones on the same set of thicker bars... I don't want to swap mines just because everyone doing that. Usually people swap bars and endlinks at the same time and report a big difference but they never try thicker/aftermarket bar with a stock link beforehand.

I'm trying to make a list for a new suspension setup. Planning to get Tarmac T2s with camber plates and was thinking about other things that I may want to swap at the same time. Currently I run Bilsteins/RCE springs with WL bars on stock endlinks... My endlinks seem to be fine at this point. I'd hate to spend extra few hundred $$ on endlinks for no big reason

 

then don't

srs, the front bar is SO much more work (than just links), do that first, much more noticeable impact. Then, if you feel like the links are limiting you, do those later. Doubtful you'd notice aftermarket vs. OEM ball-joint links

 

Yeah, go with the bar first. Doing endlinks later is easy.

I did a quick search on NASIOC and I don't see any reports on 08+ stock endlink problems.

 

I already have 24mm adjustable front and 22mm adjustable rear bars... Running them for a few years on stock endlinks. I kept thinking that I don't need an aftermarket links if my stock ones are fine but recently heard that aftermarket links are stiffer and work better. I actually will need less bar with coilovers compared to my current setup.

 

I think they will feel better when you are loading the suspension on bumps. Rallysportdirect sells front and rear for 210, might want to get the 5 dollar spacer set as well.

 

Simon save your money. The OE units are pretty good with very little rubber. Failure on them is rare. I have the whiteline adj units on both ends on 24/22 bars. For sure they are nice to have but not a def requirement. I'd put the money into alignment! Or if we ever swap your billys I might toss in my end links for your stockers!

 

Thanks everyone! Yeah, I'll probably just swap struts for coilovers first...

 

Are you sure you want coil overs? Cheap coil overs suck no matter what.

Get some good struts like the Bilstein race comp sells. Or Feal revalve.

 

Tarmac T2 are cheap coilovers? I do have GTWORX Bilsteins + RCE Black springs.

 

I'm just going to admit that I didn't read this thread. But I'm very happy with my Kartboy end links. Super solid pieces of equipment.

 

This.

So, what is it you want to do then? What needs to be improved? I think you're going to need to get some pretty good coils to improve on what you have.

 

Coilovers are going to give you slightly better cornering on smooth pavement if you lower the car with them, likely they will also give you a **** ride with horrible dampening not designed for our roads and a car that reacts on bumpy corners like it's riding on the spring only. Worst thing ever for backroads.

Happy day owning my second sti was getting rid of the cusco zero 2r's for ohlins
fps/blacks.


- I wouldn't skip the endlinks either, there could be a reason everyone who has bought the kartboys is telling you to buy them, and everyone with stock/whiteline is telling you it doesn't matter. I too considered them very minor and only bought kartboys after the whitelines visibly rusted and boots looked terrible. Only after putting the kartboys on was I pleasantly surprised to find an improvement with ride and how the car feels on bumpy corners.