ej22t oil cooler confusion

[ghia nut]

Hey guys, I've been searching up and down for the answer to this question so I figure I would ask here... do ej22t s have an oil cooler? I'm an old school VW guy so i think I know what one should look like and ever VW engine has to has one since its air cooled. I've dug as much as I can and cant seem to get a good answer as to if I'm supposed to haveone or not, I think they are supposed to be a sandwich adapter style, ony guidance would be awesome.

[subydaddy]

Sandwich style. Someone will probably post a pic. The 90/91 turbo legacy had them but the 92-94 did not... Mine is a 92

[ghia nut]

Do you really need them? And if so, that means the oil cooler and then an ej20 water pump too right?

[evolutionmovement]

No, you don't need them. They were used originally probably in relation to the RS-RA cars which ran at top speed for days straight. After using them in the production models either as part of a homologation process or out of the characteristic overkill of Subaru at the time (like the oil squirters and forged bottom ends on N/A models), they probably realized they weren't necessary, especially on a detuned 160 hp engine, and dropped them. They're actually more an oil temp stabilizer than strictly a cooler. They use the cooling system to maintain the oil temp, so it probably helps warm up and keeps things a little cooler and stable, but isn't as effective as a separate air cooled radiator.

[wtdash]

And if so, that means the oil cooler and then an ej20 water pump too right?

Correct...from what I've read the '91 water pump is same as USDM WRX (@ least the '02-'05 EJ205) to support the oil cooler.

Td

[PhyrraM]

Correct. Models with the oil cooler have an extra nipple on the water pump.