I've seen a few people install the LS engine in from the top. Is it possoble to do this with the engine and trans already attached? Probably not, as I haven't seen a thread about it, but I figured I would ask. I have a stock k-member and auto trans if that matters.

 

I would think so. I know I put my regular SBC with transmission attached in my car from the top all at once.

 

That's how I did a regular swap also. I wasn't sure if the LS1 oil pan would prevent them from going in together.

 

Its a TIGHT fit but after some beer and alot of use of bad words it can be done. My advice is do it from the bottom.

 

I installed engine/trans from the top after notching the K-member.

The next one will be from the bottom.

 

i did it with my ls2 t56 attached together but with the tubular k member and didnt have many problems, had to give it a few good jerks but i would deffinetly do it again

 

I put in my LS2/T56 from the top and will never do it like that again. I had the radiator out, the wiper motor off, and a tubular K member and it was still tight. Since then I've removed and re-installed the T56 (to install the Tick remote bleeder) by lowering the K-member/ motor a bit and unbolting the trans from under the car and it was very easy and fast to do.

 

Amen!i did a lsx/4l60 from the top. removed wiper motor, radiator, driver side clamshell and loosened both engine mounts on k-member. it was a bitch!

 

I wouldnt suggest going in from the top without a K-member notch or tubular unit. I cant fit my fingers between my pan and K with the tailshaft raised in final position. I dont see how anyone got a pan past the untouched K

SBCs are a different size/shape and have no problem coming out from the top

Bottom is still easier for both

 

My kmember is notched and mine went in from the top with no problems at all, it took like 5 minutes literally. I already removed the wiper motor and have a notched K though.

 

Another from the top with the trans attached here. Both motor mounts were attached, k-member wasn't notched, wiper motor and radiator removed. You'll need to go in really steep with a cherry picker (a little too steep...I wouldn't do it again). It can be done though.

 

Did mine from the top with a t56. Stock k-member without a notch. Put the car up on jack stands so i could go in at a steep angle and not hit the tailshaft on the floor. Had it in and out 4 times this way without a problem.

 

Same here. So long as you get the car high enough in the air you can get the angle down and it slides right in with relative ease but I do have to pull the wiper motor out everytime

 

I've got a hawks k-member and put the motor and trans in mine in about 1/2 hour by myself. The only help I had was the engine leveler I used to get the angle. It was worth it's weight in gold when I was working solo on the car.

 

What is the method for going in from the bottom? How do you get the car high enough to get the engine under it?

 

Put the rear wheels on ramps and use a cherry picker to lift the front up. Ghettocruiser's swap threads have a good explanation of this