What is the piece called that runs parallel to the panhard bar and sits above the panhard? Is there any benefit to going with an aftermarket piece?

 

The panhard is the track bar, the one above, the track bar brace. If there were any real performance benefits, one of the aftermarket companies would have already jumped on offering it. That said, a company or two fabs one for larger exhaust clearance, IIRC.

Removing the upper brace will cause you to pull your hair out in clumps, unless you're lucky. The bolt seizes to the sleeve.

JamesC

 

^^^ What he said ^^^