JLow03

Gary, great list - thank you. I've begun assembling the individual components from Subaru...but does anyone have any thoughts on this kit? Anyone bought it with any results? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Engine-Cylinder-Head-Gasket-Set-Fel-Pro-HS-9621-PT-fits-88-91-Subaru-XT-2-7L-H6-/131889921659?fits=Make%3ASubaru&hash=item1eb5407e7b:g:CAsAAOSwwo1XdVka&vxp=mtr Found out there is a headgasket leak to contend with as well...

Anyone?

Good to hear. Though I have the most hope in Numbchux coming through for us with some ideas!

Thanks all. Hopefully I can just feed it oil on the drive back north and then get the gasket and oil pump replaced. Anyone have a part number handy for the gasket? Anything else I should do while I'm in there?

So let's start with the basics. I assume your XT6 is AWD since you mention that it had air suspension. I don't *think* they made a FWD '6 with air, but let's make sure we're on the same page. Right - as Gary mentioned below, it's an XT6 that's been converted. Once I get the car home, I'll be better able to report on the specific components that were swapped in. Do you want to re-use the struts you have, and just get springs? If so, we have to figure out what you have on there. As mentioned FWD XT6 front struts are shorter than 4WD, whereas FWD rears are longer than 4WD (FWD cars ride lower, but without the axle present, the rear shock mounts much lower on the suspension arm). This seems like the simplest course of action, no? I'd love to go this route as I don't have a burning desire to build a custom coilover suspension. However, I wonder just how long it will be before the struts / shocks succumb to the more aggressive spring rates. If you're looking for a strut and spring combo, do you want to go full coilover? Any preference on brand? Budget? There are so many variables here. No brand preference. I hate to sound like a snob but I would venture to say I am willing to be a little bit excessive with budget to get this car to handle a bit more precisely than it likely currently does. I've probably done as much suspension-swapping and experimenting as almost anyone here without going to a complete coilover setup. So I can probably point you in the right direction, but let's get some more simple questions answered before we get too derailed. Works for me - thank you! As mentioned, I am not looking for "maximum slammage" or anything resembling stanced; just a tighter handling car while also giving the suspension the overall refresh it needs with a modest improvement in appearance (i.e., less of a gaping hole in between the fender and the top of the tire.) Thanks again - Jeff Another thought - is it worth trying to re-install the original air suspension? I am a purist at heart....

Called Ground Control today....no dice. They said they can't help me! Is there another way to approach these guys? I told them what I had any I don't think they could get past "XT6" in the conversation.

Hey guys, Can't find this number anywhere....part # (or other source) for a shifter bushing kit for the XT6? Thanks in advance. Jeff

I've been seeing lots of commentary about how wonky the gauges are. If it helps: pressure built very slowly at startup and never got about 45 psi when cold (then dropped to around 10 around town driving and near zero when idling).

Hey all, So, I picked up an '88 XT6 a few weeks ago but it's stored at my brother's house in Maryland. I'm in RI and had plans to drive it back in a few weeks. He noticed the car builds oil pressure very slowly and then pressure drops off after driving 10 minutes. There's plenty of oil in the crankcase but it does leak off the front of the engine and he thinks it has to do with the timing seal covers. In addition, the previous owner used 10W-30 weight engine oil. Here are our questions: are the oil pumps suspect on these cars? Would the behavior he's noticing with oil pressure be attributed to a bad pump? And for the drive back home, would a heavier weight oil make a difference, like a 20W-50? (Or, more importantly, is there a recommended weight). I suppose if the pump is bad, oil weight doesn't really matter...just curious for the Forum's thoughts. Thanks. Jeff

Thanks again. So the car already has the EJ strut conversion in the front, and what we suspect to be EA82 shocks in the rear. I will be sure to mention this to the guys at Ground Control - maybe there's even someone there who has helped with another customer XT6 project. I have seen reference made on an old classified ad to a custom "Ground Control / Eibach" suspension, so maybe there's a template somewhere.

86BRATMAN, thank you. So two questions come from this: one, is there a particular Ground Control model that will work? I don't see a specific application on their site - is there effectively a "generic" kit that is used? Also, it seems like performance shocks are out the question. Is a fair compromise to try and update whatever bushings and associated components I can, then pair the stock strut components with the GC sleeves? I've seen some reference to KYBs working but nothing conclusive.

Hey guys, I am at a loss on this topic. Full disclosure: I am coming from the BMW world, where I've owned multiple generations and currently have an E21, E30 and E36 M3 in my stable. I've lowered all of them with the tried-and-true recipe of H&R springs and Bilstein shocks, making the necessary enhancements along the way with any necessary bushings / mounts / etc., all widely available on eBay and from multiple vendors. I recently purchased an XT6. I have owned Subarus before, but later model cars. Going into it, I knew things would be a bit trickier, but I'm having a harder time than expected of sorting out what parts I need, what works/what doesn't, where you can ravage from the Subaru parts bin, etc. The car has had its air suspension swapped out for standard coilover suspension with some combination of OEM components, most likely EA82 or FWD XT6 in the rear and EJ bits in the front. I do not want to "slam" this car or stance it; rather, I would just like to close some of the gap in the wheel openings and firm things up ever-so-slightly. Is there a tried-and-true recipe for the XT6 platform as it relates to lowering? Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance. FYI, I have not taken delivery of the car as my brother is storing it until I can drive it home, so in-person inspection is not possible at the current time. Jeff

Haha, thanks! The best part was that I took it on the fly as the yard I was at generally doesn't like pictures being taken of their stock.

PM sent!

I don't know - but in my experience, if you make provisions to remove it, they generally don't have a problem with it.

Here are a few pics: [/img] [/img]