[rhop101]

Hi All,

Figured I’d write up my experience installing the 034 Motorsports Front Sway bar and comment on Sway Bar End Links to match.

Preface: I was having some oil seep from the pan so I decided to replace the sway bar while I had the subframe down.

Current suspension: B6 Damptronic Shocks w/H&R 1” lowering springs

Items purchased:
1. 034 Motorsports F2X/F3X Front Sway bar
2. 2nd go around at endlinks: ECS Sway bar Endlinks (215mm-275mm)

Install of the bar went as typical. I unbolted the nuts at the wheel hubs because imho torquing 3 nuts per side to 165Nm is much easier than 100Nm+90deg without a lift.
compared to 3 series we have extra work of
removing the powering steering cable
when dropping the front subframe you also have to remove a snap for the coolant Y pipe
just unbolt the wheel speed sensor after disconnecting.

Subframe came down fine but definitely pry the front crash bar connections open a bit extra. It makes the reinstall way easier.

End links:
I found that the general recommendation to elongate the endlinks does not apply with the 034 Motorsports bar and B6 Damptronic shocks. By my measurements, the ideal lengths are
softest: 11.5in
Medium: 10.75in
Hardest: 10in

Note I am focusing on the fact that it’s hitting the link at full droop on the passenger side in my case with the stock 12” endlinks on the softest setting.

This indicates I ideally need endlinks from ~260-290mm. No one makes OTS adjustable endlinks with this range. The best you can do is making do with the ECS adjustable endlinks which cover all 3 ok. Note this is for my configuration of H&R lowering springs and B6 Damptronic dampers. Figure I ought to warn everyone since I haven’t seen any reviews on endlinks specifically for our F2X cars.

The stock sway bar links work with the softest setting in a pinch, but as it’s stiffer than stock it’s not recommended to use them long term.

Initial impressions.
Even on softest setting with the stock end links the front end is more responsive with marginal stiffness and nvh inxreases.

Curious how it’ll be with the adjustable links and then actual performance evaluation on track.

After much calculating and reading reviews I made the choice not to install a rear sway bar even though I had the rear subframe partially dropped. There are a lot of stories of trouble putting down power on track and mid-corner hyjinks

[jb-slow]

Did you check spl? I have basically the same setup and they works just fine

[rhop101]

I did see Bimmerworld sell a SPL set, but I decided not to go with it because I’d prefer something with sealed bushings. They also had a bit long of an adjustment range. I don’t like the idea of the sway bar hitting the lower control arm at full droop. Links would have to be about 11.75” to avoid this for the softest setting and the default F2X SPL links I saw on Bimmerworld I think were 11.5-13” adjustment.

The ECS links seem like a good match for my case. They are realistically good up to about 285mm (11.25”) which is a bit more than advertised while still having a couple threads of engagement.

Down the road I’ll adjust the length at ride height when the weather warms up.

What’s your current shock spring and sway bar combo?

[HP Autosport]

These are 11.5" end to end with about 1" of adjustment.

https://hpautosport.com/product/hp-a...ybar-endlinks/

[rhop101]

Those look perfect for a lowered car with the stock front bar.

[SpencerC_6MT]

I've had issues with the 034 bar/links as well. With my ST XA coilovers, I had ever so slight contact between my sway bar and control arm on the softest setting before replacing the endlink. The aftermarket endlink only made it so I could run the middle setting with slight bar-arm contact at full droop. Although these issues are likely down the coilover manufacturers misplacing the endlink mounting point on the shock body, I feel it should be better documented that aftermarket coilovers and sway bars don't like to play nice.

P.S.: one of the bushings for the endlink wasn't machined down enough to fit in the ball joint as well, but I luckily was able to squeeze it in after scraping the edge on the concrete and hammering it in. Mild grievance but I feel that shouldn't be an issue on a brand-new performance product.

[rhop101]

That’s a bit of a bummer to hear. I’ve been happy with the products I’ve bought from them so far.

What’s the length range for the 034 Motorsports endlinks?
How much of a drop are the XA coilovers?

Sounds like maybe they are like 11-13 range. Yeah it seems that way that many bars and endlinks are designed with stock suspensions in mind when you read enough reviews. Also 034 used the 3 series as their test vehicle which have longer springs to begin with which I imagine makes it possible there is differing positioning for those sway bar attachments.