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I Stole an RX...


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Not really

 

But I just picked up an 85' RX today , pretty damn cheap too... I had been pestering the hell out of one of my instructors all semester to sell it to me and he finally did $260... He says it needs a new front cam seal, lifters and that it has a tendency to lose oil pressure... I talked to another one of my instructors that used to work on subarus for a few years and he believes the only thing wrong with it is the seal and that the lifters are fine... Either way I figured it was a good deal and I was even offered a titleless XT with only head problems for a $100, which I think I will snatch up in a couple weeks...

 

The car itself is in decent condition only 121Kmiles... everything works except the normal driving lights, (high beams are operational), the body has some rust and one of the windows has been leaking so the car has a wonderful mold/mildew smell mmmmm mmmmm....

 

Anyways I dont know exactly what I plan on doing with the car... I mean I love the FWD, 4HI, 4LO so Im thinking about making it into some fun for the of road... I have seen some pics of lifted subies but have yet to see a RX like this one...

 

If so where can I find it?

 

Also, I honestly dont know much about the car yet so what would be some good first mods to the car? Ive heard the exhasut is really limiting and doesn't allow it to breath...

 

 

Any input would be a great help, I cant wait to get it running perfect and keeping it well maintained...

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Congrads, you scored a nice car. Can't help you with the lift info - but I have the service manual to your car, so I can help you with a variety of other things. I am really surprized that you found one in NC.

 

If the headlamps aren't bulb problems, you have a bad relay or switch - my vote is relay - it is located above the driver's side kickpanel.

 

the 5-speed D/R tranny is REALLY nice, I have it in my car, and love it - you also have a rear LSD!! (limited slip differential) - GREAT for offroad, or other high-performance desires

 

you will probably solve 90% of your problems by doing a front reseal - replace all cam, crank, and oil pump seals - all are very easy when you get the timing belts off - your "lifters" are hydraulic lash adjusters, which will make a LOT of noise if they loose oil pressure - they are probably fine, if not, run some Marvel Mystery Oil through them, and they should be fine

 

Good Luck, and if you need help, please shout! (but search first)

 

BTW - what year is the XT?? 87's and later have a spyder intake manifold, which can be installed on your RX as a performance boost (however you can no longer put the spare tire under the hood)

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In Ausubaru land we have many lifted RX Turbos and sedans. You'd probably say they're our weapon of choice.

 

Here's a pic of my GL sedan with a lift kit, not an RX but close enough:

 

11149new_tires_2.jpg

 

Word of advice, if you're plannin on putting an exhaust on it, wait until after you've lifted it.

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OK thanks for the feedback, Im really excited to hear that the reseal will probably fix the problems... Honestly thas what my instructor said but I wasn't %100 certain... Were might I go about finding a reseal kit? Anyone on here a vendor soo to speak or should I just go down to the local parts store... I'd also like to pick up a repair manual if anyone could point me in the right direction, seems to me the parts stores dont have one....

 

Also, where might I go about finding a lift for the car, of course I hear all about BYB on this site but is there any other competition... I think ive heard of another but not certain....

 

As for the XT dont know the year yet but I will find out in a couple weeks when I return for summer classes....

 

 

Thanks,

Caleb

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I would recommend you use genuine Subaru gaskets and especially for the head if you do a reseal job. There are a number of places you can get discount parts from. Here is a link to one of them. I haven't purchased anything from them myself so you should do some shopping before you buy.

 

https://www.subarugenuineparts.com/index.php

 

Check the headlights to make sure they are not just worn out. A ohmmeter will do the job or a set of power jumper leads. If the lights are ok then the problem may be at the switch area. The switch makes a ground connection to turn the lights on I think. I am going by what later models do to turn the lights on.

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Thanks for the link I will check it out...

 

As for the lights I will probably get on that this weekend... Im pretty good with electtrical circuitry and such so I dont think it will be to much of a hassel... I dont have the owners manual for the vehicle so can anyone get me a link or something to where I might find fluid specifications for the car... I plan on flushing everything out and given here are new lubzzz...

 

Thanks

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as for the head lights, check the screws under the steering column, sometimes one of the longer screws gets into the selector circuts and prevents it from going into anything but high beams. i had that issue on mine, it took me a couple weeks to figure that out.

 

oh yeah, congrats on the rx. i think you should keep it at its current rid hight and get some 15" pugs and rally it, but thats just my opinion.

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A reseal kit can also be had from www.1stsubaruparts.com . they are usually my first choice for OEM parts.

 

Since its a turbo car, I recommend at least using OEM head gaskets (if you go the route of a complete reseal)

 

But it sounds like your troubles could be fixed with a couple oil pump seals and cam seals.. Pretty cheap and easy fix. May as well do the timing belts while your in there.

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Does an XT have a LSD? If so Ill get that one later on and it will be up for grabs I guess

They didn't come with LSD's unless it was an XT6, then maybe. - if in doubt, it is printed in BIG letters on the tag on the back of the diff

 

as for fluids - antifreeze should be in a 50/50 mix (ethylene glycol & water) - engine oil should be 10w30 or 15w40, and gear oil is spec'd for 75w90, you will need a special LSD additive for the rear diff - power steering fluid is Dexron II

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Does an XT have a LSD? If so Ill get that one later on and it will be up for grabs I guess

 

It was an option for an XT. I'd check bot the RX and XT for a rear LSD. Just look at the rear diff cover tag. Might have to scrape it off a bit =P

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