The measurement with the end links unhooked can be called the 'baseline'. Measurements taken at the same point with different sized bars and the links attached is just a reference measurement. When the car is done and driving, when you consider changing to a stiffer or softer bar you'll have a 'how much will it change?' reference....

Yup, the sway bar will transfer some of the weight to the opposite wheel....actually, you wouldn't believe how much weight is transferred by changing bar size!!!! Done a lot of messing around with various cars on the scales....oh yeah, if you're doing a left hand turn, as the left front suspension compresses, the weight not only transfers through the bar to the right front front, but to the left right rear, as well....

Too thick a bar takes all the movement out of the suspension and can break parts.... It also leads to a terrible push in the front end.