waterpoloman13

So, it's been a while since I posted an update on this project, but it's come a long ways. 5-lug done back and front with brakes and all from the 2000 RS. Raceland coilovers from a 2005-09 legacy have been installed. 1" wheel spacers added and 16" 2002 WRX rims and tires are on it at the moment. It's been aligned, drives straight, and handles really really well. Some problems have come up since that I'm working on and assessing. I took it to a local "Subaru Specialized" shop and they pointed out a few problems that I'm a little curious about: "Rusted frame rails just below driver and passenger doors"; now, i've been under this car, and the rockers are definitely rusted through, but other than that I haven't seen any rust holes on the underbody or subframe. It's a little rusty, and there are 1 or 2 crunchy areas, but overall it all feels relatively solid. I'm going to take it into a body shop this week for a second opinion. As a question - could they have mistaken the rockers for "subframe and structural"? Throwing CEL code 44 (since it's an 87.5 apparently it throws the 88 year codes that I've found on this site and the XT owners site) - I've seen a video online to swap the Wastegate Duty Solenoid out for a manual boost controller. If I do what should the boost be (besides 20...for one run)? The engine is diagnosed as "leaking from all seals and gaskets" - now, obviously that's a little extreme, but could be possible I guess. I found an engine seal kit on ebay for about 75 bucks and an oil pan gasket for 20 that seems to hit all the right things. That sound legit to use, or does someone already have a better source? Other than that there's a few little electrical hiccups and such. I'll try to get some pictures up later for your viewing pleasure Again, big shout out to everyone who posted so quick on this thread before. I wouldn't have been able to get this far without your help and knowledge. Chris

Not sure how to test them. I'm hoping between the pump and the filter the majority of the gunk was strained, and I can just add some cleaner to a few tanks to take care of what might've gotten through

Rusty fuel. The tank is pretty bad, though no holes, and the sending unit was locked up with rust. I have the receipt from NAPA for the fuel pump, so i'll be grabbing a fresh one of those as well as a new fuel filter probably.

Started to strip the EJ, but didn't get very far. Turned my attention to trying to get the XT running, only to find 5 gallons of red fuel in the tank and a rusted tank. So i'll be grabbing a new tank and sending unit this week along with the XT6 hubs. EA82 4wd rear struts are going to be ordered as well. Hopefully more progress this week and over this coming weekend.

Well, didn't pay attention to hunting for sleeves before, and realized it's slightly out of the budget for now. I'll order some 4wd GL struts for now and probably jump to full coilovers after the winter. Seems like I can grab a set of the Teins that SuberDave used for just under 1k (https://www.proimporttuners.com/parts/2006-subaru/legacy-tein-flex-z-full-coilovers.html) Will take some pics this weekend of the strip and any install I get to.

Reading up on the 5-lug and the USRM most have suggested just going to the ea81 tie rod ends. They are off the shelf parts, thankfully, so I think i'll just go grab them from the shop and be done with it. Found a local guy here that had xt6 hubs I'll be grabbing them early next week for $100. Seemed reasonable since the reproductions are running about 300 shipped. I think i'll be grabbing NB struts and a set of coilover sleeves for the rear as well until I move to a full coilovers setup - not until i'm ready for the EJ20xx swap probably.

Wow, yeah, definitely not up for that rear Macpherson swap...yet...haha. So from what i'm understanding (after much clarification here and reading some more on the FAQ), the front's should be mostly plug and play for both the 5-lug and suspension (with some reaming and slight modifications, and grabbing the EA81 tie rod ends for toe). Rear 5-lug: from the 5 lug swap link in the FAQ, the only parts that will work are XT6 4WD? And from my searching online for replacements, best place to probably find most of that is the junk yard. How does anyone even get this done with parts being so scarce? Rear suspension: NB Miata fronts (don't need 4" lift...) with coilover sleeves, or just the stock EA82 4x4/AWD (as per ruparts in the below thread, the 2wd EA82 stuff will also raise the car 3-4"), or 2wd XT6 rears, right?

I haven't looked yet at actually troubleshooting the air struts. Currently I know they aren't holding air, and that the compressor turns on. As it eventually will be a track car, i figured I'd just skip the troubleshooting and go straight to getting the car on struts/springs

Thanks for the insight idosubaru. I guess I started spreading out the discussion on multiple subjects without realizing it was a huge difference in topics. Edited the title for clarity. Over the next few weeks I am trying to do both the 5-lug swap and the air suspension swap at or around the same time. In the (albeit, light) reading on the forums I was originally planning to do the suspension first since it was shot, then the 5 lug later, but came across the 2000 RS for free and thought I could get a decent amount of parts to work from it and do it all at once for both the 5 lug and the suspension. Finding that a little more reading is in order to get it all sorted and make sure i have the right parts for it all though. In any case, appreciate all the detailed responses.

So the strut needs to be from an XT6 4WD model for the rear to replace the air suspension, correct? Or move to a full coilover setup and use the EA82 tophat as was mentioned in the USRM? 3. If you plan on running an Impreza coilover setup, it'll bolt into the front with the strut tower mod listed in #2 but the rear is totally different EA82 vs. Impreza. The rear will fit nonetheless BUT you HAVE to use the original EA82 tophats in the rear. I have yet to do this portion of the conversion and I have only read that it would work so I have not yet found out myself if it does or not.

Thanks a ton for these details. So definitely need to pick up some front ea81 tie rod ends and xt6 rear hubs. Hadn't had a chance to get under them both yet since I just got the donor late last night, so this is good info.

Hi everyone Relatively new here, but I've been studying the forum for a few weeks now (still a noob, but I really try to use the search button and read up before I ask stupid questions... try being the key word Haha) Picked up an 87 XT turbo with the 5mt and fulltime AWD for free from a buddy of mine last week. Air suspension is shot, hasn't run in a few years due to a fuel pump, needs new tires and fresh fluids, but overall clean and complete. Rockers are mostly toast, but other than that rust is pretty minimal. This week I had the luck of finding a 2000 RS for free, no engine or tranny, and interior is shot, but all axles shafts, rear end, drive shaft, suspension etc... so I've decided to 5-lug swap and swap out the air suspension at the same time. From what I've read it's bolt in with some slight modification needed on the front strut braces and the rear ea top hats need to be used. Axles are all 25 spline and interchangeable as well. I'm planning on rereading the 5 lug thread again, and this is mostly for documentation, but anything I'm missing so far? Will be stripping the RS this weekend. Long term goals include an EJ20xx build and swap to push 300-350 hp and auto x with some track days mixed in. But that's at least a few months out. Thanks in advance for following along and for your input and tips.

Towed it home by looping the strap through the reinforced part of the bumper. Seemed to work alright without damaging anything, so I'll take it

Wondering if someone can help me find the tow point on an 87 XT. I got one for free and need to get it home. Have a tow cable, but haven't been able to hunt down the hook or point Thanks in advance Chris