I'm still unclear about this. Is it bad to put say a 22mm rear sway on a 97 ek w/o subframe support?

 

yes. EK has weaker design compared to EG/DC chassis.

on Ek/EJ/EM the lower control arm bolts are more towards the center of the car and the sway bar bracket mounting points are on the outside of those LCA mounting points.....it puts more stress thus leading to a weaker subframe.

ASR makes a fine kit to help cure this issue. pricey but from what i hear its worth it.

 

I too have heard great things about ASR braces. And I was confused between which chassis was weaker. Appreciate the quick response.

EDIT: What if I have a tie-bar? Would something like the ASR subframe brace be better? Or is it something completely different?

 

completely different. Tie bars just tie the 2 points where the control arms connect to the subframe. teh ASR brace is a subframe reinforcement brace.

the ASR brace eliminates the use of a Tie-Bar to an extent....and despite of what people on the boards here say, according to ASR from there website you CAN run a rear tie-bar still. it just needs to be installed after you install there kit with sway bar.

http://www.asrparts.com/

go to there FAQ section and its the 2nd to last question.....straight from the horses mouth

 

if u run the beaks kit/any subframe reinforcement not all tie bars are compatable.

 

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1718975