On a stock ae86 oil cooler the hose from the oil filter goes to the bottom of the oil cooler correct?

yes

thanks!

On any oil cooler that you mount with the lines coming out pointed at the fender, you want the bottom fitting to be oil going INTO the cooler so that you are filling the oil from the bottom and pushing any trapped air out the top. For future reference when you make the jump to full flow.

What about when using the RX7 oil cooler with the built-in thermostat? Is that directional?