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In all the M52 conversions I have found, a custom radiator is used.

Why not use the stock radiator from same donor car as engine?

It can be done, it just doesnt fit very well

Thanks. From what I can tell the radiator in the 323, which is most often used for the conversion, recessed as standard? As a 4 cyl isn't I guess it would need cutting anyway so what I am thinking is that one might as well just make room for the donor engines radiator?

You can drill the spot welds of that piece of the slam panel and hey presto just like a 323i rad location.

because the stock m52 rad is so wide you will end up with less then 6mm of space between it and the engine and some people have even cut away the front panel on either side of the aperture. I don't like cutting original bodywork out.

I see, that explains alot.

So a viable way to go then, if you are willing to cut/modify the original bodywork.