BAR’d N52 swap. Will I be the first?

[benz-tech]

I acquired an 07 donor car. Before I put this project in full motion, I’m hoping to get some answers on some possible non-starter issues.
1. This seems like the most difficult one. Factory catalysts in the the factory location. Even with TH lollipop, even if I ‘massage’ the floor, is there a decent chance at getting both the main and rear cats to fit. I can test fit also but I’m looking have any of you even attempted to mount it with the stock cats? Any insight would be appreciated.

2. Are there any issues with a steel oil pan and the magnesium bed plate?

3. MSV80 thoughts. I plan to use nearly every necessary control unit. Maybe a few arduino boards as needed. Needs to be able to run monitors which means the has to see wheel speed and outside temp and, and, and.

Please don’t tell me it’s impossible. I really need to switch out my M44 (yes already swapped) to something lightweight, powerful and with the proper cylinder count.

[2mAn]

I say go for it!!

Id start a conversation/ relationship with a Referee and let him know your plan and he can help you. They generally are willing to help when it’s done properly and legally

[hoveringuy]

1. This seems like the most difficult one. Factory catalysts in the the factory location. Even with TH lollipop, even if I ‘massage’ the floor, is there a decent chance at getting both the main and rear cats to fit. I can test fit also but I’m looking have any of you even attempted to mount it with the stock cats? Any insight would be appreciated.

The N52 doesn't have pre-cats and cats, it just has "the cats...". I have S54 headers that poke out pretty far, and they fit... If you can get a rough measurement of how far proud they sit from the side of the engine we could compare to the E30 body. 3D scans would be wicked, of course!

2. Are there any issues with a steel oil pan and the magnesium bed plate?

The bedplate is aluminum, it bolts to the magnesium block. Steel pan is fine, but the bigger-better pan is the aluminum one. Either is fine.

3. MSV80 thoughts. I plan to use nearly every necessary control unit. Maybe a few arduino boards as needed. Needs to be able to run monitors which means the has to see wheel speed and outside temp and, and, and.

MSV80 should be no problem. I'm pretty sure there's CAS delete but it sounds like you would even have the CAS module and such. Outside temp comes from one of the other body modules, but I see a ton of stuff on my MSV70, too.

Please don’t tell me it’s impossible. I really need to switch out my M44 (yes already swapped) to something lightweight, powerful and with the proper cylinder count.

Do it!

[benz-tech]

Thanks Hoveringuy for all you have done in pioneering this swap. I need to use both the main cats on the side of the engine and the two rear cats. It looks like the tightest fit will be right at the rcab.
I was only aware of your steel pan, but just now saw that you made an an aluminum one. I’m not tracking this car and would consider buying someone’s second hand less than pretty first try.

[Striker01]

Thanks Hoveringuy for all you have done in pioneering this swap. I need to use both the main cats on the side of the engine and the two rear cats. It looks like the tightest fit will be right at the rcab.
I was only aware of your steel pan, but just now saw that you made an an aluminum one. I’m not tracking this car and would consider buying someone’s second hand less than pretty first try.

I don't know about the stock n52 manifolds, I didn't get them with my engine. They were pulled for recycling. I know the euro N53 headers won't fit. Would the referee let you use something like the PLM cats, they are tiny and I used them with my N53 headers, in the stock location.

I will be pulling my n52 steel pan in the next month or so for the aluminum version, only issue is that I have the cutout for the e30 m20 level sender, been on a year and still dry. You would only need to buy and modify a dipstick, I need it for the new pan.