[Trevor]

Thanks for the info. bill,

It will be very interesting indeed to see the actual recorded effect of fitting an extra cooler and when you do so I hope you will post the results. Do you you drive in 3rd. in the city as I do for good reason? Drive is an overdrive and should have been labelled as such.

I have fitted an after market cooler to my 92 but it runs on its own rather than in parallel with the OE. Hydraulics is much like electrical law and when two items are in circuit in parallel configuration the one with the least resistance to flow will pass the greatest volume. This could mean that the OE could remain the major component in the system thus limiting any gain in efficiency. However I do appreciate the safety factor of a parallel arrangement in the event of a blockage. Access to reliable flow specs for each cooler would enable an informed decision but I had nothing on the OEF. The shut off valve you suggest would be a great idea and would provide you with the best of both arrangements and the ability to carry out practical tests. Again the results would be worth reporting.

The trans. specialists I go to are well versed in Subarus and appear to make the right noises technically and as common sense. They have advised not to fit a filter and on the basis of experience.They remove OE filters in many instances when they do an overhaul and extend a guaranty on their work.. Typing for me is arduous otherwise I would explain reasons. If interested come back to me.

A check on my trans, reported all 100% OK. The car is ex Japan and had 100k. Kms. on it when I got it 18 mths ago and all evidence is that it has had no more than routine service to date and it remains faultless. An interesting point is that the power button was seized up through lack of use. I think that abuse and mods have a lot to do with many of the problems reported

Cheers, Trevor,.