I think your logic is flawed... Whether you tighten a bolt to 30 ft/lbs with or without a washer, you're still tightening it to 30 ft/lbs.
The best way to avoid stripping a bolt etc is to not over torque.

 

http://www.boltscience.com/pages/nut...tightening.htm
Bottom paragraph quickly describes the basic function of a washer.
Mind you, if a crush washer was completely unnecessary, why would manufactuers take the time to put one in, or design the pan and bolt for one?


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washer_(hardware)

 

My point remains valid.

 

Yes and no. If you tighten a bolt to 30 ft/lbs with no oil on the threads of the bolt it is not the same as tightening a bolt to 30ft/lbs with the threads lubricated with oil. The torque wrench will still torque out at 30 ft/lbs, however you bolt is a different level of tightness. Plus, a crush washer will "crush" to accommodate any minor deformities between the plug and the pan.

 

Exactly. Over time the plug will deform the pan and result in a large oil leak.

If your really going to skimp out on mere cents, more power to you.

 

Could not agree more. Considering the cost replace the crush washer

 

The crush washer is necessary because of the following:
1. Provide a seal between the oil plug and the pan
2. It will keep the drain plug in place so that vibrations won't break the nut loose over time and you run into oil leaks.
Go to any auto-parts store and they will find you a crush washer for the evo.

 

While a new crush washer is cheap insurance, but you will be fine reusing it many times. Just inspect it for wear (cracks and such) every oil change.