Plain and simple, help me fix my ever lovable xt6

[Coliseum]

So, theres a lot of levels to this, being that i intend to make this car outlast me so ill try to keep this organized

First and foremost, I both want and need to replace, revamp, or otherwise retrofit most of my undercarriage, while its served perfectly as my daily driver, I can feel and hear that my tie rods are bad, ball joints too I'm sure, my power steering works most of the time but id like to do whatever is best to get it at maximum capability again, idk what CV Axles or how to figure out certain part specifics like that so please explain it to me like I'm a child should you do so.

I'd also like to swap it to coilovers for now, please drop me some specifics or what kinds of coilovers will fit exactly so i can start to search for them as ive been lost so far, eventually ill return it to functional air suspension and hopefully get it all working again so i can show off the height calibration stuff.

Generally, I'd like to restore as much of this car to "original" as humanly possible. I, of course, want to customize it a small bit but I'd feel like im ruining the car if i start trying to turbo things and stance it so im hoping to keep it tame, focus on function as much as i can, but i cant rely on the ER27 for as long as Id like to keep the car, if yall think its possible for me to revive the ER27, id love that, the engine has a classic charm and rumble to it i wont get out of my next ask for advice

Which brings me to my main point and the full extent of my intentions for the car

I love the flat 6 engines, the EG33 isn't as easy to obtain, but the EZ30-36 are common enough and powerful enough that I can reasonably obtain one and a donor subie for 3-800 dollars(if yall are fckin with this idea, should I get the 03 or 05 3.0, is One better?) My hope and plan is to lift the ER27 out, replace it with an ez30 and hopefully keep the oem 5 speed, i understand the saying is easier than doing, im trying to establish a baseline and a timeline so I can put my dream car back together.

Truly any advice, anything yall know, and any parts you could offer me would do me a world of good.

Anything common with the car that could help me would a miracle as well because finding people nowadays who even know what the car is in my area leaves me finding a better time looking for actual unicorn cars on Facebook marketplace.

Many thanks and have a good one.

Edited 18 hours ago by Coliseum
Just wanted to add this photo

[bushytails]

I think you should start with simpler projects, like CVs, ball joints, and tie rod ends, before worrying about an engine swap.  Until you're confident with routine maintenance like that, an engine swap isn't even something you can consider.  Then worry about suspension mods and such until you're comfortable with fab work and re-engineering things.  Then you can start researching engine swaps or other large projects.  Is there even anything wrong with your current engine?

[Coliseum]

1 hour ago, bushytails said:

I think you should start with simpler projects, like CVs, ball joints, and tie rod ends, before worrying about an engine swap.  Until you're confident with routine maintenance like that, an engine swap isn't even something you can consider.  Then worry about suspension mods and such until you're comfortable with fab work and re-engineering things.  Then you can start researching engine swaps or other large projects.  Is there even anything wrong with your current engine?

Oh youre 100% correct, I intend to do all the side missions before I finish the game yeah? Perhaps I should've been more clear that thats a long term goal not intended to be done ASAP, but I still wanted yalls opinions on it.

Regards to the engine, im not certain of the full extent of its issues but it has the tick, I need to locate and afford an oil pump seal so I can hopefully fix that issue, which hopefully you guys can educate me on as well. My main concern is that it will stall randomly upon pressing the clutch in, the engine power seems to wane randomly like the engine isn't firing properly or something, its not an issue per se but its coming up on 300,000 miles, I believe its burning a little oil? But its doing so at a snails pace and ive barely had to give it oil to keep it up after the first oil change. I want to change all my gaskets if I can but I cant seem to locate any gaskets for the engine, and I have trust issues with Ebay.

[el_freddo]

The tick isn’t anything detrimental - just lifter tick. 

Parts are basically unobtainiam for the XT6 other than those shared with the L series - and even these are starting to dry up. 

The H6 conversion would be sick. The wiring is the biggest part of the job. After that it’s driving it so you don’t kill the gearbox! That said, a mate of mine ran the 3L H6 in a gen2 Liberty with the same gearbox that’s in your XT6 - just a dual range version. The thing was mint offroad with the locking centre diff. Sadly he killed the diff one trip in the sand as it didn’t lock and he fried it. 

Enjoy the journey - collect parts when you can find them! 

The air bag setup you might need to go down the custom aftermarket route. I don’t have any leads on this sorry. 

[bushytails]

I haven't worked on one of those engines (I'm more of a Gen II wagon fan), but those problems could just be it's time for routine maintenance...  Change your spark plugs, wires, cap, and rotor, check for vacuum leaks (vacuum hoses, brake booster, stuck evap, intake gaskets, etc), clean throttle body, clean MAF sensor, check temperature sensor, clean idle air control valve, adjust idle throttle stop, change fuel filters, check fuel pressure under full load, etc. 

Some lifter tick is normal with that many miles - you can try various flushes and such, or just live with it. 

It sounds like this car is new to you, so keep a close eye on the oil level until you know just how fast it uses it - running it with no oil will make that engine swap suddenly a high priority.

https://charm.li/ is good for quickly looking things up, https://project-car.net/technical-info/ has a pdf service manual, and you can google for other manuals...  or ebay a full set.  Will come in handy with the amount of work you plan on doing.

[Coliseum]

2 hours ago, bushytails said:

I haven't worked on one of those engines (I'm more of a Gen II wagon fan), but those problems could just be it's time for routine maintenance...  Change your spark plugs, wires, cap, and rotor, check for vacuum leaks (vacuum hoses, brake booster, stuck evap, intake gaskets, etc), clean throttle body, clean MAF sensor, check temperature sensor, clean idle air control valve, adjust idle throttle stop, change fuel filters, check fuel pressure under full load, etc. 

Some lifter tick is normal with that many miles - you can try various flushes and such, or just live with it. 

It sounds like this car is new to you, so keep a close eye on the oil level until you know just how fast it uses it - running it with no oil will make that engine swap suddenly a high priority.

https://charm.li/ is good for quickly looking things up, https://project-car.net/technical-info/ has a pdf service manual, and you can google for other manuals...  or ebay a full set.  Will come in handy with the amount of work you plan on doing.

I have the original manuals 1-6 for the car, ill dig em out and get to book worming. Last time I read through them I wasnt granted much useful, hopefully I can make better use of em. And I checked my oil after the drive to school this morning, still good 👍🏽

Sparks are brand new, oil filter, and oil have less than a thouwow in miles, and the tick comes and goes as i drive, usually getting to be completely quiet once shes warm.

[moosens]

Sounds like a fresh reseal of the oil pump will help the ticking. Get all settled for timing, front seals, and when you’ve got that pump resealed rev the piss out of it to get the oil to fill that last hydraulic lifter in the line. 
That’s the backyard method. It works. No need to be scared just watch the redline. Hold it pegged for a few seconds or more and it’ll quiet down. Use a nice light oil too like 5w30. 

I know some new lifters are still out there. I just sold some and have a few more I’m pretty sure, and I did see others selling them as well. But you’re not at that point. If you’re going to gather parts keep in mind you often get a factory Subaru part in an older Beck Arnley box for many bearings and such. Paraut and Atsugi are also helpful names you won’t go wrong with. They supplies Subaru with clutches and pumps. 
 

Enjoy it !