If I replace this do I need and alingment?
 

My '78 SC Targa is about to undergo a complete front suspension overhaul. She'll be receiving new A-arm bushings, turbo tie rods, ball joints, new bilstein strut inserts, a weiltmeister 22mm swaybar and possibly some 21mm torsion bars. I also am thinking of dropping her about an inch while I have the torsion bars out, so that will require the bump stear kit as well. However, this is my daily driver and I would like to make little steps in the project and it will probly be done over 3 or 4 weekends with it being driven during the week. My quandry, however, is that I only want to get it aligned once. What replacements, or combinations of replacements, will require an alignment? Any suggestions on the order I make the replacements if I am doing them piecemeal.

You need an alignment when you change tie rods and shocks, due to the fact you are messing with the camber and toe angles. Try to do the tie rods last as this is the most important to get right in specs.
Mike