How much of a pain is it to pull the engine (and transmission, if possible) out of a 95 Z-28? This is my project car and I was hoping to do the removal and installation of the engine and transmission myself, if it's not too much trouble. I noticed a guy registered in this forum has a T/A with a 396 stoker and it looked like the engine went right in, but the transmission was already there. I've heard some nasty stories about having to drop the K member and unbolt the engine and transmission and pick the body up off of the drivetrain. Hopfully there is an easier way. Any input is appreciated. Thanks!

 

Both times when I pulled the engine I took out the transmission at the same time and I took them out of the top. Wasn't too bad but it was a lot easier pulling the motor/trans out of my brother's 5.0.

Just use a cheap hoise and with a little work they came out. Kinda dented up the cowl a little doing it, but that kinda stuff doesn't bug me. I don't think I could have done it by myself. I needed help when it actually came time to pulling the engine/trans out. You usually need one person working the engine hoist and one person moving the engine/checking things/etc..

Anyone can help though. I had my two little sisters (17 & 21) and my 56 year old mom help drop the engine in and get the mounts lined up, so they don't need to be strong or have any car knowledge.

 

I droped my motor and tranny out of the bottom. It wasnt that hard, and i had it out in 2hrs. I have a ceiling crain in my shop which i used to pick up the body, and the motor rolled out with the tires. I heard people using cherry pickers to jack the body up to. Good luck

 

I dropped the engine/trans out the bottom of a 93Z, it took about 2 hours, it is only like 20 bolts, 8 harness connectors and some hoses,a couple of brake lines, if you have a STB, use it to lift w/a engine hoist

 

droped mine out with the tranny about 2 weeks ago...me and this other guy that bought the enigne from me, i used a engine hoiust and thats it, i would get a strut tower bar so you can use the engine hoiust to lift the car up...i dropped my from the bottom with the tranny, 6 bolts on each side then disconnect the throttle and fuel lines and all the pcm wire's from the car then put a car jack under the engine and tranny and lift the engine hoiust with the car and then push that damn engine and tranny out the front..took me about 3 hours to have everything completely out...
randy

 

Drop it out the bottom. I did it out the bottom with a engine hoist in my garage. It was very easy to do and the tranny comes with it which makes it really easy.

 

I did mine from the top in August. From what it looks like I should have done it from the bottom. But anyway...it took me and a friend 2 days. Took the tranny out first. Then the engine from the top. What bolts do you actually take off the car when you do it from the bottom????

 

It took me about 10 hours total to put the motor in from the top, that includes EVERYTHING from installation to actually running...by myself! The tranny stayed in, and I didn't have to bleed the brakes like you'll have to if you pull it from the bottom.

 

Well, from your pics carlos, it didnt look like it was much trouble to put it in from the top. Of course, what pictures depict and what actually happens is two different things. I have one more question. How much power will the stock 4L60-E handle? Right now it appears the previous owner either installed a shift kit or bumped up the line pressure in the tranny, because the 1-2 shift will make the rear end come around sometimes. Will the tranny hold up to 500-550 bhp or more? I wouldnt think it would, just stock, but hell I saw a freaking AWD eagle talon break into the 8s with a stock tranny... 'Course thats a tad bit lighter car, too. Should the tranny need a rebuild, which I'm guessing it will, what needs to go in it? Clutches and gears? I've never messed with a transmission before, as far as making one hold power.

 

Did mine from the top. It was pretty easy, just pulled off the intake and all the other crap and lifted it out with a cherry picker (go kinda slow and manuver forward around the cowl)

 

I can almost guarantee that if there would be an engine swap competition...me pulling and installing from the top vs whoever working from the bottom, I would win...YEA ME! There are a lot less steps to do when pulling the motor from the top.

 

You would get seriously by me with that comment I have taken over 25 engines out from these cars from the bottom and it is the only way to go in my opinion.. All you need is 2 good jackstands and 2 good floor jacks.

And if you have headers, R@R from the top would be a total waste, considering you can install all of the accessories, wiring harness, headers ect outside of the car, and just roll it under and bolt it up. No need to even remove the radiator or hood

 

From start to end...and that means the car is ready to roll out of the garage, how long does it take to pull an engine from the bottom?

 

See when you install an engine from the bottom, everything is ready to go....You just bolt it in and finish everything up.

Engine with headers and all accesories... I can have it out in 2 hours with air tools and no lift. Add 1/2 hour with hand tools. That is with the cradle under it and ready to roll.

Engine install takes a little longer having to fill fliuds ect, by 4 1/2- 5 hours should do it with air tools, no lift.,...again with headers taking my time

I was not this quick the first few times LOl, but I have done soo many now, I can do it blind folded.

Seriously consider taking it out of the bottom.. I showed a couple die hard out the top guys how to do it and they both said Never out of the top again..

I should say if I do not break anything, I would R&R a longblock in a 8 hour work day with the use of a lift and air tools.

 

Well... That's certainly not something I thought I'd hear. From the way this friend of mine described the removal of the engine from the bottom, you'd think it was going to take an act of congress to get it out. But you seem to think different obviously. Let's see... Takes you about 2 hours or so to get one out, and you've done 25 or so, so... I've never done one but am pretty mechanically inclined, so add about a good 3 days and I should have mine out.... Haha. But really, the first time you rolled one out the bottom, how long did it take you? from what you guys r saying, that might be the way to go instead of trying to worm the engine and transmission up around the cowl and everything.