thats why I always say measure twice and cut once, swaps are easy when you actually note everything down..
talking about big downpipes, go the GMSAAB 900 turbo route, they squeezed a pipe to make it oval and stuffed that in the crossmember, its total area was that of a 2 3/4 inch pipe, in a small package.
when placing the engine, you have to be involved in it at all times - so you dont face the hectic of waiting aimlessly