Radiator top-middle inlet vs top-right inlet

[Frank818]

I failed to find a thread explaining the differences between the top-middle (most common) inlet and top-right inlet rads.

If I recall what some have said, the top-right inlet makes it easier to fit the rad and hoses cuz it clears the hood?

Is that all?

I am looking at an aftermarket rad, efficient, with maximum clearance (probably in the 100-500 range). So I don't know if I should opt for the top-right or just get any aftermarket top-middle.
Ideally I look for aluminum tanks.

Brands I know so far:
Koyo
PWR
Mishimoto
Fluidyne
GMS
Ron Davis (probably the best, but too expensive)

[Frank818]

The Pre-2002 rads use the right inlet on the side of the rad, instead of on the top.
It's also possible a few Foresters got that type of right inlet rad in later years (post-2001).

Looks like the top middle inlet is found on Impreza rads from 2002 to today, or close to today. But that doesn't mean you can't use a right inlet on the 818. I just bought one!

[Canadian818]

Which one did you get?

[Frank818]

The rad? Oh yeah, sorry about that.
I got this one. Well a different auction and not the same seller ID (probably the same physical seller though), but same rad: http://www.ebay.com/itm/DUAL-CORE-BOLT-ON-RACING-2-ROW-ALUMINUM-RADIATOR-92-01-SUBARU-IMPREZA-WRX-STi-/201039108554?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3ASubaru&hash=item2ecedd59ca&vxp=mtr#ht_3462wt_1028

Actually if you go on Mike's build thread, you'll notice it's the same. I was looking into such rads and Mike pointed me out. After confirming the fitment and his cooling pipes fitment along with this rad, I went down hands down.

[Canadian818]

Wow, that's pretty cheap. Nice find!

[Frank818]

Nice find!

I didn't. Mike did. :)
I was looking for that, it fits what I look for, but my choice of words on google and ebay was way off, I wouldn't have found it. But Mike kindly pointed it out to me and I was able to see on his build thread too.
Yes it's pretty cheap and no it's not from China, it's from California! I think it's cheap cuz it's a '92-'01 rad, not an '02-'07.