Mishimoto Black Thermostatic Oil Cooler Kit 2022-2025 WRX

The instructions say to mount the radiator then attach the hoses but for those like me who had already mounted a front mount intercooler, it is better to do it this way:
- mount the brackets to the radiator
- attach the hoses long on the left, short on the right, both oriented to run to the right as you are facing the engine bay
- make *sure* the fittings are tight as once this thing is mounted as it is a royal pain to take everything back off to re-tighten
- now with the hoses and brackets preinstalled, loosen any encumbrances (such as a front mount intercooler for example) and pull it out just enough so that the oil cooler block will clear the space and can be mounted
- tighten the bracket and route the lines. Here you will have to use your own judgement to an extent. There is enough line there to run even with the ETS front mount kit but just be mindful of sharp edges on the frame. Then using the supplied protection strip, apply to any place where a sharp edge might abrade or cut the line.
- note that in my case once the intercooler is back in place it may press against the hose a bit but did not seem to be a problem so I did not try to re-run the hose. But be mindful of this if you also have a front mount.
- stage the end of the hoses approximately where they will connect to the cooler block.
- Now another departure from the instructions which says to mount the oil cooler block on the engine and then attach the banjo fittings to the hoses then to the cooler block,
- however, I found it easier to first attach the banjo fittings to the cooler block, so that you have something to hold onto in order to tighten the nuts
- Then attach the hoses to the banjo fitting (all this before mounting the cooler block) and tighten them as well
- Make sure you get those things as tight as you can hand holding the block as there is not much clearance to do so after the block is mounted.
- If you are installing the thermostat version of the product, save yourself some time and head ache by removing the serpentine belt and the oil sending unit that is close to where the radiator connector attaches to the engine block to help you out in getting the supplied bypass hose installed.
- I also removed the car battery to give clearance to the other side of this bypass hose.
- The only detraction from this experience would be the instructions and although they are pretty good except for the things pointed out above, they are a little disorganized and unclear in a couple of places.