Wanting to swap drivetrains in my cars... with the exception of the tranmissions. I have access to two hydraulics lifts (shop type) that can lift the body for me, and any tools that I might need. I have read several write ups on removing the engine from the bottom... and it seems to be fairly straightforward and not too time consuming. My questions is for anyone that has done one of these.

The most time at once that I can have is two days in a row, from 8am to 4:30 or so, and at most 3 helping hands. Is it possible for me to remove BOTH drivetrains, swap transmission, hook everything back up, and drive out in the amount of time. I'm fairly handy with a wrench, I can replace my clutch in about an hour if that let's you know anything...

Thoughts?

Jonota

 

I've pulled them both ways...the one I pulled out the bottom, though, was after I wrecked my first f-body, and I was junking the rest of the car. The engine, tranny, and front suspension were sitting on the ground in less than an hour, though I cut all wires, hoses, lines, etc.

Now, I could have pulled the engine from the bottom and been more meticulous in doing so, but here's the thing -- You'll save a little time dropping everything out the bottom, but when putting everything back together consider that you'll have to bleed the brakes, and have the front end aligned. Also, you have to contend with the air conditioning. You may be able to weasel the compressor out without losing charge, but I doubt it. So, you'll more than likely have to buy a new accumulator/drier and recharge or have a shop recharge the a/c.

I've also pulled 3 LT1's through the top, which is the best route IMHO. The process is pretty straight-forward. Pull the fans, radiator, and all the accessories and brackets off the front of the engine. Unbolt the manifolds/headers (if manifolds, it's easier to unbolt the passenger side from the heads, and leave the driver's side bolted to the heads, but unbolt it at the Y-pipe) Disconnect all wires. Take off the plenum - unbolt the tranny and/or torque converter, and pull the engine out. You can leave the a/c compressor sitting on the engine cradle, so there's a lot of $$ saved versus losing charge in two systems, and replacing two driers. If you're a quick and efficient mechanic, you should be able to have each engine out in 3-4 hours.

BTW exactly why are you swapping engines? Selling one car and putting the low mileage engine in the one you're keeping? Either way, good luck with the swap, and keep us updated with your progress.

 

Out the bottom: I know about the brakes, not a big deal there. One cars' A/C is ALREADY out and a new compressor is going in when reinstalling... the other I can get a new drier and charge for <$75. Didn't think about alignment although they could both probably use one anyway.

Out the top sounds like a lot more specific work, and I need to get the WHOLE thing done in less than two days, with minimal experienced help. Plus, I'm trying to swap the entire driveline with the exception of the tranmissions in this time (so driveshafts, rear end (whole), torque arm, etc). Swapping for pretty much what you said, a few less miles, and the good engine is cammed, ported, rr's, lifters, blown ... other engine is mostly stock.... I don't mind spending some dough.. probably sinking 1500-2000 in parts between clutch, flywheel, mastercylinder(Mccleod package), mounts, fluids... a few bucks more won't hurt.

Thanks
Jonota

 

If I had an engine ready to go back in I can swap it out the top in about 12-14 hrs and I am an old fart.I would leave the tranny in the car on a jack.
That is without a lift.
Rear end should take about 2 hrs and the TA goes with the rear.

Get your s*** together get organized and in 16 hrs ya can get it done.If it's 2x8hrs ya won't be able to roll it out of the way if needed too when it's out the bottom.

Take the AC off and leave it in the car and don't break any hoses on it.

 

Shouldn't be a problem. This past weekend myself and 2 others dropped an engine and transmission out the bottom on a lift, cleaned everything, did a heads cam swap, and reinstalled it all in just over 2 days. If you are only swapping engines you can have it done in 1 day if you haul ***. 2 days shouldn't be a problem.

 

out the bottom, complete, I can do 1 car in 1 1/2 hours, back in , 3 hours(with trans swaps), so, if you hustle, you can have them both swaped the first day, and bleed the brakes, charge the A/C and align them both the second, and be done by lunchtime


this is with swaping the complete subframes as well


P.S. use air tools as much as you can, if possible




depending on the write ups, it should be easy

heres something i see missed in some write ups

on the M6, remove the shifter ****, shifter plate and lower shifter boot, and leave the trans in neutral, and pulling the shifter from the trans will help on instalm, but not removal

on the A4, make sure the shifter cable is tied away from everything coming out the bottom, it will get caught on the wiring harness and rip the VSS wires out of the sensor connector(do not ask how I figured this out)

 

I've removed my M6 countless times (probably actually like 5 but it seems countless), and did a swap from an A4... so I've removed both of those. I mostly need instruction on all the little things to remove to keep from ripping stuff off when dropping them all. The "best" one that I found was for engine only though, and I haven't removed my rear end before (so I'm still looking for a good write up on that) especially with all the suspension components as well.

My engine removal "guide" is:
http://ken.lowrance.com/Projects/Hea...CamDefault.htm
Basically using that but not taking off the hood, driveshaft, or TA as I'm fairly sure it will all come off together.

Good to hear I'm not being too optimistic with my time. I plan on having two "teams" removing/disconnecting things simulateneously at the same steps...

Jonota