Hello everyone.

I'm interested in the Subaru XT and I have found a 1986 fixer upper by me, but I had some questions.

 

Should I look for anything specific that likes to go on these cars, other than rust?

 

What type of engines will fit up to the Manual transmission with 4wd? This XT is plane jane NA flat 4, and it leaks oil. So i thought it might as well be good for a swap.

 

Are parts usually expensive for 80s Subaru's? The only experience i have is wrenching on american cars. I know that the same basic concepts apply, but they're applied differently.

 

Thanks,

Chris

XT's are not bad at all. I have 2. Body and interior parts are hard to find. If it has air suspension, get it out of there even if it still works. Parts are no longer available and near impossible to find. With an adapter kit from Scott at SJR Lifts, you can easily install and EJ22 for more pep. The engine you have is an EA82 and that's all that will go in there without the adapter. Don't bother trying to put in an EA82T (turbo). For the headache of wiring and maintenance issues, it's better to do the EJ swap. They (EA82) are cheap to maintain mechanical wise. I did a complete engine reseal, full tune up, front axles, clutch and brakes at all 4 corners for $300. Check it over good for rust before you buy. Look closely at the underside of the trunk lid, the bottom rear of the trunk including all the hidey holes, rear strut towers, rear bumper mounts and bumper and the rocker panels. Those places are prone to rust and especially in your area.

Thanks for the info! Will the ER27 flat 6 fit in if i can find a junked XT6 possibly?

Will the ER27 flat 6 fit in if i can find a junked XT6 possibly?

 

Not without doing wiring harness/ECU swap.

 

Radiator support was reshaped to allow room for the radiator on the XT6's, also hood latch moved forward on the hood about two inches.

 

(Wow.. I can quote posts now. )

Thanks for the info! Will the ER27 flat 6 fit in if i can find a junked XT6 possibly?

 

Really not worth it. The ER27 is a neat engine, but IMO not worth the work of swapping it in. For the cost and labor involved, you could have a much more powerful, reliable, better-supported engine.