Hi guys, I am replacing the 700R4 in an 83 Firebird. I installed the transmission while attached to the engine when I did the V8 swap. I have done lots of auto and manual transmission rebuilds and installs before but not on a 3rd gen, under the car. Do I have to remove the torque arm at the rear axle or can I unbolt the mount at the transmission and let the arm stay attached? Will it be in the way? Any other tips to get this done quickly? It looks like I can leave the Y pipe attached to the engine and just unbolt the ball flange. Once I have removed the cross member and I am letting the engine/trans tilt down towards the back, will I have access to all of the trans to block bolts from underneath the car w/ long socket extensions or will I be screwing around trying to get box wrenches on the top bolts from above before I tilt the engine down? There is so much crap in the way under the hood I hope I can get at everything from below.

 

You can get it out from below, I use a few extensions together to form a long extension to get up to the top ones when I tilt the engine and tranny back. If I remember right, it took the distributor cap off to prevent breaking it on the firewall when the engine tilted. Also, watch the fan on the radiator, unless you have an installed an electric fan.

I would take the torque are off, get it out of your way. I am pretty sure that the torque arm bolts slide down from the top, with nuts on the bottom. That is how I usually see them anyways. Put jackstands under the body, let the axle swing down and then you will have enough clearance between the axle and the body to get the bolts out. I have my bolts installed from the bottom, with nuts on top so that I can get them out easier if needed.

As far as time to get the job done...depends on your experience, tools, ... Good luck. Removing the tranny isn't the easiest job in the world. My best memory of doing mine is tearing my finger open on the flywheel. Buy the right tool, I will never try to use a screwdriver again.

 

a bunch of extensions and a matco 3/8 drive universal impact (not the chrome, the impact) would be your best friends.

 

Watch out for the torque arm, it is under pressure and can fly up real fast without warning. Almost took my hand off the first time I removed the tranny.

 

...guessing you had the e-brake locked to hold the car or jack stand sitting somewhere funky? - other wise the only load on it is that the rear-springs are mounted behind the axle(slightly) and thus try to twist the rear up in the front.
- anyhow, just dropped one outta Dans87GTA's car, took about 30min. - We had just put a BMR tq arm in though, so it was no longer in the way, but the stock bracket was still on. I guess I probably done to many though...practice I try not admitting that I have.....

 

ya 30 mins at the most!!! just a really long extension and your good not to bad good luck

 

Thanks guys, I went from a driving car to 700R4 on the floor and out the door in an hour. No problems.

 

Ok, so here is a question: Can all this be done by your self?

 

I have had one out and back in in around 1 hour by myself

 

I did it by myself. I have an adapter from Autozone that replaces the jack pad on a large floor jack. It provides a large flat surface with arms to hold a trans pan. It was maybe $30, and it came with all kinds of attacments that fit the arms. Without this attachment I don't think I would have been able to get the trans in by myself, it is just way too heavy.