I am forced (oil pressure gone, oil looks black and knocking sounds) to remove the LT-1 from my 1996 Camaro Z-28 - I have searched for threads but haven't found much. I wish to remove it from the top, but apparently from the bottom is prefferred? Any thoughts or links to threads that can help me make the right decision?

 

Out the bottom is the easiest. 10 bolts-- 6 K member, 4 trans. mount. and the ones on the top for the suspension/coil overs. Just gotta get the car body up high enough.

 

use a cherry picker to lift the car off the k-member then just roll it out from under the car.

 

Get a Happy Hooker attachment from AZ or Pep Boys ($35.00)and pull the front accessories and balancer,and radiator, unbolt the bell housing and clutch/converter and come out the top. Ya don't have to break any of the air conditioner lines just unbolt the compressor and let it lay in the car.
Ya can pull the engine whole as the Hooker bolts to the fuel rail holes in the top of the intake.
Ya don't have to go through the brain damage of getting the car 3' off the ground and a dolly to roll the engine out from under it.
If ya got a hyd rack that is different.

 

I pulled the engine out the top, but reinstalled it through the bottom. I was a bit intimidated about going out the bottom, but, once I put it back in I realized how easy it was. I won't go back out the top again.

Out the bottom:

6 K-member bolts
4 Shock tower bolts
Brake lines
Unplug harness from PCM & Firewall
That's about it. I have a BMR strut-tower brace so I lifted with that.

 

I don't think I can get it high enough to pull through the bottom, I am almost ready to pull through the top I guess. Any tips or tricks, so far everything is going good. Any issues with pulling out from the 6-speed?

 

I just pulled mine out the top , it was no big deal.I pulled it with the t56 hanging off the back.You have to take everything off the front and that is the time consuming part.But other than that is was no harder to pull than any other motor job I have done.

The few trick I can help with are get the Happy Hooker.Would have been a nightmare with out it. Make sure you get some thicker washers for it as the ones it comes with are to damn thin. Might have get slightly longer bolts also. Take the drivers frame mount for the motor mount out or completely remove the oil cooler housing to get the more clearance. Pop the hood supports off and prop the hood back with a old broom handle or a 2x4. You can not get the motor high enough with out doing this.I also took the shifter off the trans for insurance. But probably could have left it but unbolted the stick(B&M shifter) When you get the crank snout pass the radiator support your golden

 

Do a search for my name, I posted a write up with a few pictures regarding engine removal from the bottom.

6 K-member bolts, 4 trans brace bolts, 4 say bar bolts, steering linkage, 2 brake lines, fuel, harness, you get the idea. The first time it's a little slow going as you learn how the process plays out. I've done it a few times and now can drop the motor/trans/subframe out in 2.5-3 hours. The cool thing is, the motor comes out with all the accessories/manifolds on it, and goes back in the same way.

You'll need an engine hoist to lift the front of the car, a pair of sturdy jackstands and two furniture dollies.

 

I keep hearing removing it from the bottom is easier but in my opinion its is really not hard to remove the engine from the top. It did not take me very long to do so on my 97 Z28.

 

Well I'm getting there, stuck trying to get it out. Can't get it to separate completely from the 6 spd. Am I missing anything? I removed all the bolts that secure the bellhousing to the engine but it will only come about an inch apart. Is there a trick? Or did I miss something?

 

did you remove the flywheel cover?

 

Did you pull the clutch fork off the throw out bearing ?.

 

No? No mention in the manual about that, it's pretty vague though. What do I need to do?