Zoomspeed

Just wondering, after I get the engine and trans out, what else do I need to remove to replace the subframe?

jimlab

By the time you reach that point, it should be pretty obvious.

If all you're doing is swapping the subframe, you don't have to remove the engine or transmission. If you support the engine from above, you can unbolt the motor mounts, the steering rack, and the front lower control arms (make sure you note the position of the eccentric bolts so you can put your alignment back roughly where it was before) and you should be able to unbolt and remove the subframe. Obviously the belly pan will have to be removed as well, and you'll want to get the front end realigned afterward.

Zoomspeed

Thanks for the reply jim. Just trying to figure out how much work is ahead of me for me ls1 conversion.

jimlab

You can either pull the engine and transmission together or pull them separately. The transmission can be supported by a 2x4 or piece of plywood on the back of the stock subframe while you're pulling the engine out, if necessary.

A transmission jack (or transmission adapter for a standard jack) can be used to support the transmission while you unbolt the PPF and driveshaft (remember to drain the transmission first or the fluid will come out of the tailshaft) so you can drop the transmission out.

At that point, you can unbolt the steering rack from the subframe, and unbolt the front lower control arms, then remove the 4 17mm nuts holding the subframe to the car and remove it.

Zoomspeed

Thanks for the info jim. I'm going to pull them out together. Its almost ready to pull, I'm just waiting on my friends engine hoist. Still have to remove the drive shaft and pull the harness through the firewall.

How do you seperate the trans form the engine once its out? Anything specail I have to do or just unbolt and pull hard?

jimlab

You'll have to unbolt the clutch cover/pressure plate from the flywheel through the access hole, then unbolt the bellhousing and pull the transmission off. The clutch will stay with the transmission where it can be detached more easily, and the flywheel will stay with the engine.

Zoomspeed

good stuff. Thanks jim