Giles

I think I should keep the 3 speed box.. alternaltives sound like a nightmare!! it is surprisingly tho that such a modern designed car has a 3 speed auto box. What gear boxes are you guys using? whats the engine rpm at 60 and 70 mph? Am I worried about nothing? cheers G.

Good afternoon guys and gals. Thanks for all the help, but I need your help again. I’m not sure if I need to start a new thread... Anyway... My car a non runner. I had it brought home on a trailer. So I’ve never driven it.... yet! I’m restoring it... Anyway. It’s 1986 xt turbo.. with an auto box. I’ve read online that the auto box is only a 3 speed ( 3EAT) with a final drive of 1:1 very high for a top gear, high revs for ( motorway) highway use? I’m shocked and genuinely disappointed ( I really am!) that such a modern car in its day, only has a 3 speed box. Am I wrong about the ratio, does it have some kind of overdrive? Plus. I see from 1988 ish a 4 speed auto box was used ( 4EAT)If I can get one can I replace and bolt this on? What other cars used this same 4 speed auto? What about going manual, 5 speed, what will I need? Any advice or recommendations Thanks Giles. In a stormy Wales. Uk

Thanks for the messages, very informative and inspirational. Im just looking to make my XT as original as possible. It’s what I do as my hobby, tho normally on Alfa Romeo’s.  I’m seriously thinking about custom struts but using the original compressor and other such hardware. I’m sure it will work... it’s only air and pressures id also only want to copy original lift positions. I don’t need it lowering.. or should I? Can anybody out there tell me correct height range of the stock car . maximum, minimum and normal car heights. Properly inflated tyres, from ground to top of wheelarch, front and rear.  All this help is making thiis Welsh man very happy. thanks.

Haha.. tempting..

Good morning Guys. Thanks for the messages, very informative and inspirational. Im just looking to make my XT as original as possible. It’s what I do as my hobby, tho normally on Alfa Romeo’s. I’m seriously thinking about custom struts but using the original compressor and other such hardware. I’m sure it will work... it’s only air and pressures id also only want to copy original lift positions. I don’t need it lowering.. or should I? Can anybody out there tell me correct height range of the stock car . maximum, minimum and normal car heights. Properly inflated tyres, from ground to top of wheelarch, front and rear. All this help is making thiis Welsh man very happy. thanks.

Thanks guys for all the advice. aftermarket non original air struts sounds like a plan. Has anyone actually done this? id love to talk to him/ her.. Most of you guys are using coilovers? Im a little inexperienced ( my first Subaru) with XT idiosyncrasies, thanks for the help.. I’m getting there...

Good afternoon carfreak85 can you send me a link please and tell me more. im also very interested in other pneumatic alternatives. but not coil overs. whats the 5 lug conversion? thanks . G.

Hi guys thanks for the replies. I should tell you im in UK. Wales to be exact im a foreigner! Sparkyboy, I’d gladly buy that compressor off you. It’s nothing to do with the ac compressor. what hubcaps are you talking about, originals for this car? Ive emailed Subaru specialists all over the world about the struts, even Subaru HQ in Japan.. These cars were popular in USA, Australia and Japan. Not many sold here, there’s only 20 left now in Uk! No positive replies yet. i was wondering about ‘custom’ struts.. but maybe ridiculously expensive... Cheers guys G.

Good day guys. i need my air struts reconditioned, on my 1986 XT coupe 4x4. i know this has been discussed many times, but I can’t find any contacts online for replacement parts. I read somewhere the air bags have been remade I don’t want to convert to coil overs. I want to keep it original. can you help me please.