Do I need sway bar end links?
 

I’m looking to upgrade my front bar to the Hotchkis. Is it necessary to also get aftermarket end links? If so, why and which ones? Thank you for the help!

Not really, unless you plan on racing your car, then SPL.

Not needed but its convenient to throw them all at the same time

Does auto cross count? Or are you referring to road racing?

Personally I'd upgrade them while you're at it. There have been cases on here of OEM ones breaking under the added stress.

I've had endlinks break on previous cars with really stiff swaybars.

A couple hundo is worth the peace of mind.

Thanks that’s the answer I was looking for to justify the added cost!

Agreed...

You dont want preload on your endlinks....

OEM is fine for the street. Autocross is stressful on the suspension like track driving, the only difference the events are shorter. I'd say you wouldn't have to change them for the occasional autocross but it wouldn't be a bad idea to do so. I'd go with SPL brand ones, they are the best ones out there but pricey.

I never broke an endlink autocrossing with my hotchkiss bar, but oem style links do start to make noise after a while. From what I understand and have experienced, the spl links make noise even when adjusted correctly, but are most useful in that they are adjustable. They also have an open bushing which can be problematic if you drive the car year round. Unless you need the adjustability, I would recommend oem style links and just change them once a year or so. Aftermarket oe style links are like $20 from rock auto. Most of the people on this forum spend more than that on a oil change.

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I went with the spl end links. I picked up the sway locks as well. Probably overkill/waste but piece of mind.

I’d almost argue autocross is harder on something like end links as there is much harder weight transfer in autocross vs faster paced smoother angled turns of track.

Depends on the track. A short tight track would be harder because of the laps.

True but then what is autocross other than anything but a short tight track.

Your runs are under 2 minutes. How many runs do you get in a day? My avg trackday. I get about 2 hours on the track per day. ;)

Ah misunderstood what you meant.