gta90

iTrader: (1)

Can anyone explain to a noob or point me to a thread that explains how to lift the body off the front suspension (with engine and transmission still attached to front suspension), using an engine hoist? I know I will need to disconnect/cut the exhaust, remove wiring and remove drive shaft, place dolly under k-member and trans. But the part I need help with is knowing which bolts on the front suspension need to be removed from the body/frame to allow the separation.

I'm doing a LS & trans swap and need to get the stock setup removed. I heard this is the easiest way to swap.

Anything else on the topic that would benefit a noob would be appreciated.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

Stick your head under the car and have a look. No, really... You really can't miss the 6 giant bolts that hold the crossmember to the body, or the braces bolted to it, or the trans crossmember to frame rail bolts. If you still don't know which bolts need to come out after looking under the car, I don't think I'd encourage you to do the job.

The front of the car has to come WAY UP. If you can get the back tires up off the ground and well supported, the angle is less extreme. It's really self explanatory. There are a couple different videos on youtube, several threads. Utilize the search powers of Google. Try words like Camaro Engine "out the bottom" "drop cradle" "drop crossmember" and words like site:thirdgen.org


Edit - See what I mean?

gta90

iTrader: (1)

Thank you sir. That's what I was hoping to hear.

kentuckyKITT

iTrader: (4)

I've never caught on to this method. I just take the hood off and lift the engine out from the top, roll car backward, sit engine down, bolt to stand. Done. This other method just looks all kinds of dangerous to me. Now, if I had 2-post lift, it would be ideal for bottom removal.

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

I have a 2 post lift. I take engines out of the top and trans out of the bottom.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

GM assembled the engine, trans, etc outside the car, and slipped it all in from the bottom as a module. Dropping it as a module is just as easy. If you're not into bench pressing transmissions while trying to align bolt holes and get bolts started, etc, it's a lot easier to bolt the trans to the engine outside of the car, and put the entire assembly in as one piece. Even with a transmission jack, while working within the limitations of typical jack stands, you can't set a 700R4 on top of a trans jack and roll it under the car, because there isn't usually clearance. All I know is I felt a lot less concerned about the body hanging from a hoist with the rear tires on the ground, than I was about having a V8 and a 700R4 dangling from a chain 6ft off the ground... It's not as though either option is really ideal for a diy'er, but lifting the body with the engine/trans unbolted is effortless, lifting the engine and trans + accessories seemed to stress the hoist more. *shrug*