point5chink

I know there are several methods to removing/reinstalling an engine and i was wondering what was the best/easiest way. I have done this once before and i see pros and cons to the differant ways but wanted to see others opinions. One thing to keep in mind though, this is to be done in a garage with an impact wrench but no lift (only jack stands and jack).

1. Remove Engine + Tranny + Drive Shaft/ppbrace
This method involves taking the powerplant brace off and the drive shaft as well as catback.
Pros: Installation of engine is easy. Hooking up wiring harness is easy. Lining up transmission with engine is easy.
Cons: Have to remove lots of stuff. Have to change tranny fluid. Have to install lots of stuff. Harder to manuever engine with transmission attatched.

2. Remove Engine + Tranny, leave drive shaft attatched
This method involves leaving the powerplant brace partially attatched, the drive shaft attatched to the rear diff, and the catback stays on.
Pros: Less stuff to take off than method 1. Less stuff to reinstall than method 1. Removal of engine is easy. Hooking up wiring harness is easy. Lining up transmission with engine is easy.
Cons: Have to have someone line up drive shaft at reinstallation time, making installation more difficult. Still have to change tranny fluid. Harder to manuever engine with transmission attatched.

3. Remove engine without tranny
This method leaves the transmission in the car (never used this method, so i might be a bit off here)
Pros: Dont need to worry about the back end of the transmission. Dont have to refill fluids. Dont have to touch much of the exhaust (except dp). Easier to manuever engine on installation and less chance of breaking things on the way in.
Cons: Seperation and reattachment of transmission is a pain (i hear). Wiring harness harder to remove and reinstall.

Other methods i missed? I havent actually done 2 or 3 so correct me if i forgot something in those.

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

Well, you really only have two choices.

The drive shaft just slides into the tranny (its bolted to the diff). So if you try to pull tranny out with the drive shaft, it will fall on the floor uness you tie it to the tranny somehow which still doesn't really make sense.

Here's my opinion:

If you are going to reinstall the motor with aftermarket motor mounts, leave the tranny in the car. If you are going to use the stock mounts, pull the tranny with the motor.

point5chink

method 2 is suggested by rotaryresurrection, not me I understand it will fall....rotary resurrection guy says its fine.

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

The only thing keeping the driveshaft in really buys you is if you don't want to drain your tranny. Even then, I'm not sure you still won't make a mess out the back not to mention how much heavier the assembly is with a full tranny.

CMonakar

I've had good luck with #2 -even with the 3 rotor block. I have done it a few times that way without any help.

turbojeff

iTrader: (30)

I've pulled dozens of engines and trans together. It is really easy.

If you are clever you can?:
keep the hood on the car (use a long prop rod)
keep the DP or precat on (the bolts are a PIA to get to when the engine is in)
Keep the belt on for the airpump (if you still have it).

Pulling the trans w/engine is easier than the engine alone IMHO. The starter stays on, so does the entire wiring harness on the drivers side. Just unplug the two large grey plugs in front of the drivers strut tower.

point5chink

mahjik, i am confused about your problems with #2. #2 you leave the drive shaft connected to the rear diff with the bolts, not the transmission. You will still have to drain the tranny because you will not have a big hole where the drive shaft connected to the transmission. All this method allows you to do is not have to fully remove shaft or brace or catback. You do have to align shaft during installation however. You can safe the end of the drive shaft from damage by just putting a carboard box or something to prop it up so it doesnt fall hard.

CMonakar, was it difficult to align the shaft back into the transmission during installation? I am assuming not since you were able to do this by yourself.

Also, is there a good way to plug the drive shaft hole without needing the SST the manual mentions? I have replaced that fluid less than 500 miles ago and its a really sucky job that i dont want to do again!

point5chink

mahjik: ooh, i see what you are saying. when i say pull the drive shaft + brace out, i mean just unbolt it all and disconnect from transmission entirely, then reinstall it after you put the engine in. This means you also have to take out the catback, but you dont have to align the shaft with the transmission when you are installing the engine. You can do that step afterward.