Replacing worn and saggy front springs on the EA82′s can be seemingly difficult with the fact that there just isnt really any options for a stock replacement. King Springs may still make a spring for the EA82. But as far as parts house replacements… Good luck. The likes of Moog, Rockwell, RAD Coils, etc that you might find at Autozone, Napa, dont offer a spring for the EA82′s.
Its been said via Ultimatesubaru.org by member “Jeszek” that you can use the FRONT Ford Tempo springs. They were described as a direct fit width wise, and a few inches taller. Well.. they arent necessarily a direct fit, they will work and will set well. But I wouldnt say they are a direct fit.
Here’s my experience with the Ford Tempo spring alternative.
Rather than using some old springs from a junkyard which we really cant guarantee are any better than the saggy piece of crap that are being replaced, I chose to go with a new set of springs from the tempo. Plus the junkyards are going to want to sell me a full strut assembly at $25-35 (x 2 for other side). At $70, its only a few dollars more to get new springs.
There are various part numbers listed but for the most part they are all fairly close between the 4cyl and v6. The spring I went with was the Rockwell RV-852, which also cross references to the Moog CC-852. (click for specs). You cant get straight rate springs for the Tempo front replacements, so these are variable rate springs and the spring rate is about 8-10% stiffer than the stock EA82 springs. Of course cutting them will change that 
Side by Side: Tempo Spring VS EA82 spring
So as you can see. There are differences between the springs in general.
This is how the spring will sit in the strut. (Shown with out the rubber bottom piece)
So here is the breakdown of the assembly, i didn’t end up using the upper spring seat from the tempos shown in the picture.
Due to the height difference, trial and error led me to cut off 3.3 turns off the top of the coil. I could have probably left it at 3, but i wanted the top of the coil to sit at the same spot the EA82 coil sat in the top of the strut assembly. To make up for that 1/3 coil, i could put those tempo spring seats back on the assembly. That would also add to the surface area pressing on the upper spring seat, so that would really not be a bad idea to keep in there. (afterthought, doh!)
Completed Assembly before i adjusted the spring. The spring turned a little bit as I was releasing my HarborFreight spring compressors.
Following the swap, the front end sits right about where it did prior to the spring swap, and you can definately feel the added stiffness of the springs. The springs dont shift around at all that i can tell.
Afterthoughts and stuff I found after the swap….
I am entertaining the idea of another spring which i have found that seems to be a much better fit. This is a spring from a 98-02 Dodge Intrepid REAR spring. It has a higher load capacity (420 vs 388 on the tempo spring), is shorter by a bout 2″, and is about the same spring rate (145 vs 146). I think with less cutting involved and a larger diameter this will be a bit of a better choice, especially on swapped rigs like mine.
Moog CC799 – http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=MOOG-CC799
Xbeerd
1992 Loyale w/ EJ25 swap, 2″ lift, and more.
Ultimate Subaru