After doing a timing belt and thermostat replacement I read that I should have used the OEM subaru thermostat. Although I did not use the OEM subaru I did use an "oe exact" one. 

 

Gates 34012 Thermostat

http://www.amazon.com/Gates-34012-Thermostat/dp/B001C97V4Q

 

Will this suffice or is my engine doomed?

 

Does anyone have real world experience with this outside of things read on the internet? 

 

Thanks!

Ive used that Gates thermostat several times. They're not quite the same quality as OE, but they're the same design and size, and they work very well.

 

The big issue is with the cheaper, smaller, universal thermostats. The Gates is an OE style replacement and is fine to use.

Thanks! This is just what I was looking for. 

I also might need to replace my battery cable at some point. Spend about an hour yesterday removing from the vehicle, cleaning the entire area reinstalling. 

 

If the corrosion comes back I might just replace it (I think it was starting to creep down the main cable going to the starter). 

 

Its amazing how much brighter the interior lights seemed though once cleaned. 

Now that the cable is clean. Coat the bare metal with wheel bearing grease. Not gobs, just a film. I still have the original battery wires and clamps on my 25+ year old cars.

Now that the cable is clean. Coat the bare metal with wheel bearing grease. Not gobs, just a film. I still have the original battery wires and clamps on my 25+ year old cars.

 

What a great idea. I will most certainly do this today!

What a great idea. I will most certainly do this today!

I also use spray white lithium grease on the battery posts to keep down corrosion. Also, using green and red circular felt pads around each battery terminal post to keep down corrosion.

After much trouble with after market brands I use only OEM on Subaru's; the cost online is the same or LESS than the after market thermostats.  The performance is always consistent.