Endlinks - Better Handling
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Endlinks - Better Handling
I've added some performance mods for the twisties and wanted to comment on what I thought made the most difference - Endlinks.
My upgrade path was:
1. MSR Series 132 Wheels - 17" x 17.5
2. Yokohama AS550 215x45x17
3. Cuscu Adj. Rear Sway Bar
4. Cusco Front and Rear Strut Towers
5. Noltec Front & Rear Endlinks (similar to MRT)
For those of you who don't want to spend a lot of money on your first handling upgrade (ei $700+) on a set of 17 or 18" wheels and tires (still the best overall upgrade for handling). I suggest putting front and rear endlinks on first for the following reasons; They are relatively cheap to upgrade front and rear at the same time, keeping a good f/r balance; the stock endlinks are completely detuning of any swaybar; lastly, they are so easy to install.
I have an 02 Wagon and I think the links alone will improve handling even more on the sedan with its larger swaybar. With my cusco rear sway on its middle setting I was still getting too much body roll - the endlinks completely changed the way the car handled. It now has the sharper, agressive steering I was hoping to get out of the previous mods that cost a lot more.
I realize the sum of all the upgrades is making for the better performance but I think the endlinks alone made the biggest impact.
My upgrade path was:
1. MSR Series 132 Wheels - 17" x 17.5
2. Yokohama AS550 215x45x17
3. Cuscu Adj. Rear Sway Bar
4. Cusco Front and Rear Strut Towers
5. Noltec Front & Rear Endlinks (similar to MRT)
For those of you who don't want to spend a lot of money on your first handling upgrade (ei $700+) on a set of 17 or 18" wheels and tires (still the best overall upgrade for handling). I suggest putting front and rear endlinks on first for the following reasons; They are relatively cheap to upgrade front and rear at the same time, keeping a good f/r balance; the stock endlinks are completely detuning of any swaybar; lastly, they are so easy to install.
I have an 02 Wagon and I think the links alone will improve handling even more on the sedan with its larger swaybar. With my cusco rear sway on its middle setting I was still getting too much body roll - the endlinks completely changed the way the car handled. It now has the sharper, agressive steering I was hoping to get out of the previous mods that cost a lot more.
I realize the sum of all the upgrades is making for the better performance but I think the endlinks alone made the biggest impact.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,780
From: San Diego
Car Info: Boosted Geo Prizm
The endlinks on the sedan are different from the wagon. We dont need no stinkn' links 
Also the Wagon makes use of a larger swaybar better then a sedan. So your handling mods would not net the same effect on a sedan. The wagon is more or less better at rotating the rear around.
Also the Wagon makes use of a larger swaybar better then a sedan. So your handling mods would not net the same effect on a sedan. The wagon is more or less better at rotating the rear around.
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iTrader: (12)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 18,369
From: Reno, NV
Car Info: 1993/2000/2001 GF4 mostly red
Endlinks, especially rear, will have an effect on sedans. I don't think the links have more of an effect than the larger bar itself does, but it is noticeable and worth having.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 164
From: a van down by the river
Car Info: 03 Rex: HKS, Injen, Apexi, Perrin, Rota
Endlinks should come with aftermarket bars!
if you get a new antiswaybar, you need to get some links to go with it. its kinda like how you get fries with a burger; or beer with your pizza... they go together like vanilla and rootbeer. a heftier swaybar on its own is very nice, it will yield some nice results which the operator is sure to notice immediately; buuuutttt... when you mate them up with a nice set of links (i am running all Perrin stuff) the performance of the new swaybar is multiplied.
the plastic in the stock endlinks (thats the rear ones of course) is very stout, i don't believe it could flex; but the woosey rubber bushings at each end of the link are about as useful as whale feces. when you put in the endlinks, they form a direct connection (nerve, if you will) straight up to the chassis. with the stock links, there is some lag time (body roll) which must occur as the soft rubber bushings compress; before the stiff bar can do its job and halt the rollin'
solid endlinks and/or larger swaybars do not adversely affect the ride at all. at the very most, and this is a stretch, they might transmit a small amount of vibration up to the chassis. but it is nothin' compared to what the Tein flex C/O's send toward the softbutts in the seats...
i love my Perrin bar and endlink combo. it has breathed new life into the handling of the rex in my driveway. and i love performance mods that are hidden deep inside the blue beast. only true enthusiasts notice the silver swaybar hangers and then lean over to peek at what lies beneath... haha, whoever reads this and is wondering if they should buy some links... DO IT!!! NOW!!! they are worth the $$$ later, Bennie
the plastic in the stock endlinks (thats the rear ones of course) is very stout, i don't believe it could flex; but the woosey rubber bushings at each end of the link are about as useful as whale feces. when you put in the endlinks, they form a direct connection (nerve, if you will) straight up to the chassis. with the stock links, there is some lag time (body roll) which must occur as the soft rubber bushings compress; before the stiff bar can do its job and halt the rollin'
solid endlinks and/or larger swaybars do not adversely affect the ride at all. at the very most, and this is a stretch, they might transmit a small amount of vibration up to the chassis. but it is nothin' compared to what the Tein flex C/O's send toward the softbutts in the seats...
i love my Perrin bar and endlink combo. it has breathed new life into the handling of the rex in my driveway. and i love performance mods that are hidden deep inside the blue beast. only true enthusiasts notice the silver swaybar hangers and then lean over to peek at what lies beneath... haha, whoever reads this and is wondering if they should buy some links... DO IT!!! NOW!!! they are worth the $$$ later, Bennie
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 433
From: www.tristatetuners.com
Car Info: www.tristatetuners.com
the plastic in the stock endlinks (thats the rear ones of course) is very stout, i don't believe it could flex; but the woosey rubber bushings at each end of the link are about as useful as whale feces.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 164
From: a van down by the river
Car Info: 03 Rex: HKS, Injen, Apexi, Perrin, Rota
uuuhhhh....
i just know what i run my fingers through... you guys in Philly may very well have discovered a new strain of whale feces of a much higher, and more desireable, quality. haha
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I got my Noltec Endlinks from www.oakos.com
I paid a little over $200 w/shipping incl. ($12.00 for 2nd day delivery).
They are nicely machined and you gotta love the annodized blue - very noticable to anyone who really wants to check out your car.
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A friend at work just bought a sedan with zero mods - we swapped for a little drive just to see and wow... you become used to your mods and the little extra power and better handling until you don't notice it anymore. That is until you drive a stock WRX for a little reminder - still a great performer but the mods really work.
I paid a little over $200 w/shipping incl. ($12.00 for 2nd day delivery).
They are nicely machined and you gotta love the annodized blue - very noticable to anyone who really wants to check out your car.
--------
A friend at work just bought a sedan with zero mods - we swapped for a little drive just to see and wow... you become used to your mods and the little extra power and better handling until you don't notice it anymore. That is until you drive a stock WRX for a little reminder - still a great performer but the mods really work.
i don't think front endlinks are necessary. i have the kartboy endlinks and i bought from oakos.com for $100 shipped and a cusco rear sway bar.
Mootis: you should really consider switching your sway bar to 22mm (outer hole) unless you have upgraded the struts/shocks. Even the 22mm is pushing the reliability with the OEM equipment. The sedan has a 20mm and i feel that ~22mm is the max on OEM struts.
Mootis: you should really consider switching your sway bar to 22mm (outer hole) unless you have upgraded the struts/shocks. Even the 22mm is pushing the reliability with the OEM equipment. The sedan has a 20mm and i feel that ~22mm is the max on OEM struts.
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SAMOWRX - Thanks for bring up something I hadn't considered. Stock strut reliability - lord knows if they crap out on me the dealer will blame it on my sway bar or something and not warranty them. With all the stiffening I did to the body and other suspension components - that extra load has to be put on the struts - very interesting...
Right now I am running the cusco rear sway on its stiffest setting - the handling is incredible and I find it almost impossible to push the car past it's limits. In other words, I get nevous long before the car even starts showing any signs of letting go.
I wouldn't remove my front endlinks for anything - one test drive after the rear install and pre front links (with rear sway on lightest setting) felt great but my front end still was rolling and pushing straight through the corner more than I liked. After I intalled the front links, the whole suspension felt more balanced - I increased the stiffness on the rear and the car has virtually no roll - at my driving speeds - I don't have any intentions of autocrossing or racing. I drive fast but no real beatings - I hope the struts can handle it.
Has anyone out there had trouble with blown out struts?
Right now I am running the cusco rear sway on its stiffest setting - the handling is incredible and I find it almost impossible to push the car past it's limits. In other words, I get nevous long before the car even starts showing any signs of letting go.
I wouldn't remove my front endlinks for anything - one test drive after the rear install and pre front links (with rear sway on lightest setting) felt great but my front end still was rolling and pushing straight through the corner more than I liked. After I intalled the front links, the whole suspension felt more balanced - I increased the stiffness on the rear and the car has virtually no roll - at my driving speeds - I don't have any intentions of autocrossing or racing. I drive fast but no real beatings - I hope the struts can handle it.
Has anyone out there had trouble with blown out struts?
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iTrader: (12)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 18,369
From: Reno, NV
Car Info: 1993/2000/2001 GF4 mostly red
The sway bar won't affect the struts. The force of the sway bar acts directly on the control arms- they actually make the strut do less work. However, 22mm and larger put a lot of stress on the sway bar mounts themselves. If you go 22 or higher, be prepared to break them. Good news is, Whiteline HD mounts are actually less than replacing the stocks. Less than the bar cost in the first place as well.