Urgent Help Please

[Tufan]

Hello all,

Wanted to get rid of the US spek manifold and purchased used Euro spek ones from Stu. Now car is on the lift, old US spek removed and the Euro spek does not fit to engine. Mechanic says it seems impossible without bending the pipes etc. Same for left and right. Is that possible? I read in the forums that this swap was possible and now I'm in total shock after all the hastle to bring the manifolds and Ferrari Maserati specialized private mechanic says it doesn't fit. Eurospares give same part number for Euro manifolds. I can't believe the engine block would be different for Euro and USA specs.

Issue on the left:


Sand cleaned left and right:

 

[D Walker]

I seem to remember (Think MAF) saying that you need to lift the engine to get them to fit, not by a lot, but enough for him no to do the work himself...

If I was you I would give Marios at Autoshield in Manchester a ring as I think they have done a few.

DW

 

[Tufan]

Thanks. I called but Mario's was out. I couldn't get the name who tried to support speaking to mechanics but I was suggested that probably I may need to change an oil pipe and remove the engine mount when installing the manifolds for ease of installation. My mechanics says removing the engine mount will not help unless the shape of mount is different as there's no space and manifold pipes need to be bent which I don't want. He also says on one side the thermostart is the issue. I don't know what to do now!

 

[Tufan]

Checked Maseratilife site and it seems it's a lot of pain to do the swap. Loose the engine mounts and lift engine, remove raidator, condenser assembly, remove water pump hoses etc etc.

 

[hladun]

I'd try to remove the 8 manifold studs on each side if it appears that then you could then manoeuvre in the manifolds. When you look at the parts diagrams there are no differences in the engines other than the exhaust systems. What were you planning to do downstream of the manifolds because the cats and pipes are totally different? One last question...why would you ever want to do this?

 

[marios kriticos]

As one of my technicians said to you over the phone you will need to replace the main oil pipe and by doing that you will also have to get the pipe modified where it goes on the oil pump .
You can call me at any time and I will explain Marios

 

[Tufan]

What were you planning to do downstream of the manifolds because the cats and pipes are totally different? One last question...why would you ever want to do this?

Hi. The squished pipe and secondary cat will stay, the front of the pipe will be remade to fit the EU spek headers with 4 bolts.

Why to do it:
1) More healthy engine with better exhaust flow by proper manifold pipes. Probably a bit more power, probably better sound.
2) Heard risk of catalyst breaking and pieces being sucked by engine as too close to the engine. So a preventive mod.

Here is a nice write up:
http://www.maseratilife.com/forums/attachments/coupe-spyder-gs/15504d1377146449-replacing-usa-header-euro-maserati_4200_exhaust.pdf

 

[Tufan]

As one of my technicians said to you over the phone you will need to replace the main oil pipe and by doing that you will also have to get the pipe modified where it goes on the oil pump .
You can call me at any time and I will explain Marios

Hello Marios. I'll give you a call tomorrow as it's a bit late for today. The mechanic installed everything back as he did not know how to deal with the situation. I will find a another place to put some time on it after I get the instructions. The pipe number that need to be change will help as starters. My engine is M138 and a LH drive.

 

[philw696]

It's all doable just time consuming.
You have to lift the engine up and still space is tight.
I went through all this with my car on axle stands and working on my back when I replaced the failed oil water pump unit.
Phil.

 

[philw696]

It's all doable just time consuming.
You have to lift the engine up and still space is tight.
I went through all this with my car on axle stands and working on my back when I replaced the failed oil water pump unit.
Phil.

 

[Tufan]

It's all doable just time consuming.
You have to lift the engine up and still space is tight.
I went through all this with my car on axle stands and working on my back when I replaced the failed oil water pump unit.
Phil.

Thanks Phil. What's your engine type? M13? Did you need to change oil pipe type to EU spec exhaust matching type?