WRX radiator into a BE/BH Legacy

[rougeben83]

I figure since I kept saying that the WRX/STI radiator will fit the 3rd gen legacy's that I should put my money where my mouth is.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/08/P1100271-1.jpg

Not that it was any surprise...I was already running an oem radiator from an STI when my old one developed a leak.

Anyway, hoses from those cars fit too. Yes I know, my engine is an ej205 now, but the locations are identical to the ej251.

So there you go, another cheap alternative when your stocker with the crap plastic endcap finally blows. Ebay aluminum radiators (aka CRX racing, etc. Mine is a Megan, just a knockoff of the Mishimoto...which I'm sure is a knockoff of another radiator :smt005 ) run around $120-150 shipped, vs. $300 for a new OEM one.

[Airgne]

nice. so any cooling diff? obx makes silicone hose for the wrx that fit. i have them they work good. bottom hose have to be trimed alittle.

[rougeben83]

I just replaced the thermostat with an OEM one, so I don't think it'll run that much cooler, it will however run much more consistently in the correct temp range. I drove it in light rush hour traffic today, outside temp around 85-90F, oil temp stayed consistently around 205-210F, I usually run around 215F. In street driving, I need to drive it in some serious summer gridlock to really note a difference, the oil temp spiked into the 230-240F when I was stuck on a NYC bridge crossing last month.

[Airgne]

damn thats to hot. do you have a oil cooler?

[rougeben83]

Yes, turbo models come with a water-oil cooler. The 230F spikes were indeed hot, the stock cooling system was near its limits with a hot turbo under the hood under city driving. As long as I'm in the operating temp range (190-220F) I'm golden, we'll see if the bigger rad will help once there's no highway air flowing through the grilles (ie traffic).

[blackstar]

What year Impreza was the radiator for. when I ebay'd it, came up with 93-98, 01-03, 02-05, 06-08 as being different.

[rougeben83]

04-07, the 02-03 is actually not being used by subaru anymore and any 02-03 wrx that comes in for a radiator replacement gets converted to the 04-07 style (2 rad caps vs. one).

[04Wagoon]

I have the Mishimoto in my WRX, got a great price on it too, good to know it will fit in my Leg when it's time. Thanks for the info