WTB aftermarket rear endlinks for 2005 RS - Subaru Enthusiasts Car Club of the Sierras

bigrobwoot · 2009-02-17, 10:42 AM

I don't really care what brand (should I?) and if it'll fit a WRX it'll fit my car.

Dean · 2009-02-17, 10:56 AM

The Poltec adjustables were my choice when I had a WRX. Being able to eliminate pre-load is a great benefit and very rare in the "C" shaped links.

bigrobwoot · 2009-02-17, 11:26 AM

Never heard of them. Is there anywhere to buy them locally? Or any endlinks or other aftermarket products?

Dean · 2009-02-17, 11:28 AM

Summit is the only real chance for anything local.

bigrobwoot · 2009-02-17, 11:35 AM

That's what I was afraid of. Online I think they only have hotchkis, and I really doubt they have anything in stock

Dean · 2009-02-17, 11:48 AM

I'd find the cheapest spherical bushing ones I could find if you can't find/afford the adjustables. Anything with rubber bushings is too compliant IMHO. You could just stick with the stockers in that case until they break.

bigrobwoot · 2009-02-17, 12:24 PM

Alright, thanks for the help! Do you know where to find those Poltec endlinks? I think their site is down, and all that comes up when I google it is forums talking about them

Dean · 2009-02-17, 12:26 PM

In this economy, they may be gone... Try a search on Nasioc in the private and vendor classifieds.

bigrobwoot · 2009-02-17, 05:02 PM

Unfortunately, I just missed 2 sete of the Poltecs on Nasioc. How do you feel about hotchkis?

Dean · 2009-02-17, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigrobwoot

Unfortunately, I just missed 2 sete of the Poltecs on Nasioc. How do you feel about hotchkis?

They are actually a really nice design, but unfortunately have relatively soft rubber bushings.

Kevin M · 2009-02-17, 05:07 PM

Obligatory "spherical bushings wear out on street cars and become obnoxiously loud" post.

Dean's point about better performance from them is correct, but 99% of people won't be able to tell the difference vs. urethane on the street, and urethane won't wear out.

cody · 2009-02-17, 08:45 PM

I have Mr. Josh rear endlinks and they've been great for 5 years+ but he's out of business too. Can't go wrong with Kartboy. I have their front endlinks and the bushings are stiff.

bigrobwoot · 2009-02-17, 10:24 PM

Thanks for all of the advice guys! Unfortunately, it looks like no one has any for sale. I wanted to install the bar this weekend, but I don't wanna put the bar in with my stock endlinks. Now I'm on the hunt for a decent price shipped. How do you guys feel about helix? My roommate likes them on his Cobb bar, and it's $99 plus shipping at gruppe-s

Kevin M · 2009-02-17, 11:34 PM

Helix is garbage.

bigrobwoot · 2009-02-18, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin M

Helix is garbage.

Why? Poor performance? Do they break easily? Other?

sperry · 2009-02-18, 10:30 AM

What about a set of Whitelines?

cody · 2009-02-18, 10:34 AM

Whiteline or Kartboy would be my picks.

http://www.oakos.com/Merchant2/merch...egory_Code=110

I like Oakos as a vendor. If you choose the Kartboy rears, you'll get prompted to add Kartboy fronts for $80. So that'd be $200 shipped for fronts and rears.

Kartboy's are made in the good 'ol USA too.

bigrobwoot · 2009-02-18, 10:56 AM

I guess I'll go with the Kartboys. I was really hoping to find some used so I could get em a lil cheaper, but that's turning out to be more difficult than I thought it would be. Thanks for all your help guys!

cody · 2009-02-18, 11:03 AM

You could always check I-Club and Nasioc for used. Shipping wouldn't be too bad, but since the bushings can wear out, I'd get new.

sperry · 2009-02-18, 11:16 AM

Are the Kartboy rear links still significantly shorter than OEM?

Back in the day, they made them specifically for lowered cars to avoid hitting the fuel filler neck, but at stock ride height, they were too short and allowed the swaybar to hit the lateral link. 'Course this was circa 2002... I have no idea what the deal is today.

cody · 2009-02-18, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sperry

Are the Kartboy rear links still significantly shorter than OEM?

Back in the day, they made them specifically for lowered cars to avoid hitting the fuel filler neck, but at stock ride height, they were too short and allowed the swaybar to hit the lateral link. 'Course this was circa 2002... I have no idea what the deal is today.

Looks like they addressed that.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...2&postcount=12

Kevin M · 2009-02-18, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigrobwoot

Why? Poor performance? Do they break easily? Other?

Yes.

First, throw out all Helix items that are made from more than one piece of something. Then consider that some of what's left (specifically uppipes and downpipes) have frequent fitment issues. Basically, you're left with sway bars. Anybody can make a swaybar that "works" so those are fine. But the endlinks have spherical bearings made of low-quality material that doesn't lat long at all.

Helix is made in Thailand/Taiwan/wherever the absolute bottom-dollar production cost will be. Its the cheapest of the cheap. Every corner is cut for their stuff.

Put another way, if their parts were quality at their pricing, Cobb and Perrin would be out of business.

Kevin M · 2009-02-18, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cody

Whiteline or Kartboy would be my picks.

http://www.oakos.com/Merchant2/merch...egory_Code=110

I like Oakos as a vendor. If you choose the Kartboy rears, you'll get prompted to add Kartboy fronts for $80. So that'd be $200 shipped for fronts and rears.

Kartboy's are made in the good 'ol USA too.

This. I do tend to prefer the slightly more "finished" look (and bling) of Whiteline stuff, but there's nothing actually wrong with any Kartboy parts.

bigrobwoot · 2009-02-18, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin M

Yes.

First, throw out all Helix items that are made from more than one piece of something. Then consider that some of what's left (specifically uppipes and downpipes) have frequent fitment issues. Basically, you're left with sway bars. Anybody can make a swaybar that "works" so those are fine. But the endlinks have spherical bearings made of low-quality material that doesn't lat long at all.

Helix is made in Thailand/Taiwan/wherever the absolute bottom-dollar production cost will be. Its the cheapest of the cheap. Every corner is cut for their stuff.

Put another way, if their parts were quality at their pricing, Cobb and Perrin would be out of business.

Thanks for the answer. Someone is selling used Helix's for $65 shipped, and MAPerformance will ship new Kartboys for $115. It sounds like the extra $50 is worth it for the quality, unfortunately for my wallet.

I do like the 'bling' of whiteline, but I think the extra $15 isn't worth it. Maybe if it was a part that was a lil more visible, but....

cody · 2009-02-18, 02:46 PM

You realize that Oakos has that same deal right?

2009-02-17, 10:42 AM	#1
bigrobwoot EJ251 Real Name: Rob Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Reno Posts: 679 Car: 2019 CBS WRX Premium Class: Middle Shoot for the moon, because even if you miss, you'll still be among the stars	WTB aftermarket rear endlinks for 2005 RS I don't really care what brand (should I?) and if it'll fit a WRX it'll fit my car.

2009-02-17, 10:56 AM	#2
Dean Señor Cheap Bastarde Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003 Location: $99 Tire Store Posts: 9,294 Car: $.04 STI Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.	The Poltec adjustables were my choice when I had a WRX. Being able to eliminate pre-load is a great benefit and very rare in the "C" shaped links. __________________ I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids...

2009-02-17, 11:28 AM	#4
Dean Señor Cheap Bastarde Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003 Location: $99 Tire Store Posts: 9,294 Car: $.04 STI Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.	Summit is the only real chance for anything local. __________________ I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids...

2009-02-17, 11:48 AM	#6
Dean Señor Cheap Bastarde Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003 Location: $99 Tire Store Posts: 9,294 Car: $.04 STI Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.	I'd find the cheapest spherical bushing ones I could find if you can't find/afford the adjustables. Anything with rubber bushings is too compliant IMHO. You could just stick with the stockers in that case until they break. __________________ I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids...

2009-02-17, 12:26 PM	#8
Dean Señor Cheap Bastarde Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003 Location: $99 Tire Store Posts: 9,294 Car: $.04 STI Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.	In this economy, they may be gone... Try a search on Nasioc in the private and vendor classifieds. __________________ I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids...

2009-02-17, 11:26 AM	#3
bigrobwoot EJ251 Real Name: Rob Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Reno Posts: 679 Car: 2019 CBS WRX Premium Class: Middle Shoot for the moon, because even if you miss, you'll still be among the stars	Never heard of them. Is there anywhere to buy them locally? Or any endlinks or other aftermarket products?

2009-02-17, 11:35 AM	#5
bigrobwoot EJ251 Real Name: Rob Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Reno Posts: 679 Car: 2019 CBS WRX Premium Class: Middle Shoot for the moon, because even if you miss, you'll still be among the stars	That's what I was afraid of. Online I think they only have hotchkis, and I really doubt they have anything in stock

2009-02-17, 12:24 PM	#7
bigrobwoot EJ251 Real Name: Rob Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Reno Posts: 679 Car: 2019 CBS WRX Premium Class: Middle Shoot for the moon, because even if you miss, you'll still be among the stars	Alright, thanks for the help! Do you know where to find those Poltec endlinks? I think their site is down, and all that comes up when I google it is forums talking about them

2009-02-17, 05:02 PM	#9
bigrobwoot EJ251 Real Name: Rob Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Reno Posts: 679 Car: 2019 CBS WRX Premium Class: Middle Shoot for the moon, because even if you miss, you'll still be among the stars	Unfortunately, I just missed 2 sete of the Poltecs on Nasioc. How do you feel about hotchkis?

2009-02-17, 05:07 PM	#11
Kevin M EJ22T Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Reno Posts: 9,445 Car: '93/'01 GF6, mostly red Class: 19 FP	Obligatory "spherical bushings wear out on street cars and become obnoxiously loud" post. Dean's point about better performance from them is correct, but 99% of people won't be able to tell the difference vs. urethane on the street, and urethane won't wear out. __________________ FWD is the new AWD

2009-02-17, 08:45 PM	#12
cody Candy Mountain Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005 Location: Californication Posts: 7,751 Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink! Class: TESP OMG Internet!	I have Mr. Josh rear endlinks and they've been great for 5 years+ but he's out of business too. Can't go wrong with Kartboy. I have their front endlinks and the bushings are stiff. __________________ Slow and low, that is the tempo.

2009-02-17, 10:24 PM	#13
bigrobwoot EJ251 Real Name: Rob Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Reno Posts: 679 Car: 2019 CBS WRX Premium Class: Middle Shoot for the moon, because even if you miss, you'll still be among the stars	Thanks for all of the advice guys! Unfortunately, it looks like no one has any for sale. I wanted to install the bar this weekend, but I don't wanna put the bar in with my stock endlinks. Now I'm on the hunt for a decent price shipped. How do you guys feel about helix? My roommate likes them on his Cobb bar, and it's $99 plus shipping at gruppe-s

2009-02-17, 11:34 PM	#14
Kevin M EJ22T Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Reno Posts: 9,445 Car: '93/'01 GF6, mostly red Class: 19 FP	Helix is garbage. __________________ FWD is the new AWD

2009-02-18, 10:30 AM	#16
sperry The Doink Real Name: Scott Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 20,335 Car: '09 OBXT, '02 WRX, '96 Miata Class: PDX/TT-6 The way out is through	What about a set of Whitelines? __________________ Is you is, or is you ain't, my con-stit-u-ints?

2009-02-18, 10:34 AM	#17
cody Candy Mountain Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005 Location: Californication Posts: 7,751 Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink! Class: TESP OMG Internet!	Whiteline or Kartboy would be my picks. http://www.oakos.com/Merchant2/merch...egory_Code=110 I like Oakos as a vendor. If you choose the Kartboy rears, you'll get prompted to add Kartboy fronts for $80. So that'd be $200 shipped for fronts and rears. Kartboy's are made in the good 'ol USA too. __________________ Slow and low, that is the tempo. Last edited by cody; 2009-02-18 at 10:46 AM.

2009-02-18, 10:56 AM	#18
bigrobwoot EJ251 Real Name: Rob Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Reno Posts: 679 Car: 2019 CBS WRX Premium Class: Middle Shoot for the moon, because even if you miss, you'll still be among the stars	I guess I'll go with the Kartboys. I was really hoping to find some used so I could get em a lil cheaper, but that's turning out to be more difficult than I thought it would be. Thanks for all your help guys!

2009-02-18, 11:03 AM	#19
cody Candy Mountain Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005 Location: Californication Posts: 7,751 Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink! Class: TESP OMG Internet!	You could always check I-Club and Nasioc for used. Shipping wouldn't be too bad, but since the bushings can wear out, I'd get new. __________________ Slow and low, that is the tempo.

2009-02-18, 11:16 AM	#20
sperry The Doink Real Name: Scott Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 20,335 Car: '09 OBXT, '02 WRX, '96 Miata Class: PDX/TT-6 The way out is through	Are the Kartboy rear links still significantly shorter than OEM? Back in the day, they made them specifically for lowered cars to avoid hitting the fuel filler neck, but at stock ride height, they were too short and allowed the swaybar to hit the lateral link. 'Course this was circa 2002... I have no idea what the deal is today. __________________ Is you is, or is you ain't, my con-stit-u-ints?

2009-02-18, 02:46 PM	#25
cody Candy Mountain Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005 Location: Californication Posts: 7,751 Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink! Class: TESP OMG Internet!	You realize that Oakos has that same deal right? __________________ Slow and low, that is the tempo.

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