that's horrible, what kind of moron would do all that to an ls1 f-bod? oh that's right, you would..because you know nothing of these cars.

 

Done it both ways and bottom is easier.
-Unplug the harness under the dash and feed through the firewall
-disconect fuel lines
-disconnect A/C lines, radiator hoses, and trans lines if auto
-unbolt struts at shock tower
-unbolt trans cross member and torque arm
-unbolt k member
-lift car and drag out entire assembly
-unbolt motor mounts and disconnect steering hoses set motor/trans aside
-roll k-member/suspension assembly back under car and bolt up

all can be done in about an hour with air tools or a couple hours by hand

good luck

 

With everythung unbolted, attach the cherry picker to the body and lift. Simple right?

 

So does that make me a moron ?


If his looked like this.... I dont blame him

 

it was a joke...and the front of his car is/was much worse.

 

dont listen to anything s346k says, he is a jerk. he just has ***** envy

we are friends and just give each other a hard time.

 

From the bottom FTW. Here's some pics of my Camaro during the process. I put the entire motor/trans and accesories back together on a cart, rolled it under and just lowered the car down on top of it all and bolted it back up

 

Jackstands on ramps That looks dangerous man !

thanks for the pics !

 

Dangerous is my middle name

 

Yeah I'm gonna just simply hang my donor from the ceiling

 

Bingo. First disconnect the torque arm and shifter (don't forget the clutch line if a manual). Inside the car, disconnect the 5 or so plugs that run from the underhood harness through the hole in firewall under/behind the PCM. Pull therough, lay on top of engine. Disconnect the struts at the A-arms, unbolt the spindle from the upper A-arm, disconnect the brake lines that go to the front wheels only, and don't forget to unplug the ABS sensors inside the wheelwell. Pull the trans, engine and K frame together, then use an engine hoist to reinstall the K frame, reattach the brake lines and struts, as well as the spindle. Oh, steering shaft, too.

It's SO much easier than taking the trans off first and trying to come out the top.

 

could this be done out of the bottom without disconnecting the AC?

and could you use a tranny jack to support the k-member or do I really need a small steel kart.

 

Yes I left our AC connnected. A low tranny jack would work, we made our own cart out of 2X6's & some home depot wheels.

 

We just let the ac compressor hang down.

 

obviously.

Anyway, go out the bottom- it's so much easier.

 

hey do you have anymore pictures from your removal? Thanks

Also curious to know if anyone knows if there are any other write-ups on removing from the bottom on the internet.

 

I don't have any pics that would help you much. There is a book you can get about LS1's by Will Handzel off ebay or where ever for under 20 bucks. It has a step by step removal process that is pretty accurate.

I disconnect & remove the computer then remove the pass side kick panel & disconnect the wires, pull them through the firewall & set it on the engine. The rest is pretty much looking for what needs to be disconnected.
Basically there are 3 bolts on each side of the K member, 4 bolts on each shock tower & the trans crossmember when you are ready to lower the engine/tranny.

 

Really? Didn't know that Will Handzel book listed the way of removing the engine from bottom... I've seen that book and thumbed through the pages several times... Thanks.

edit: just picked up the book at AZ and found the answer to the question. The book DOES NOT require you to disconnect your AC when doing this too

 

Good, glad you found one. The book is pretty accurate but I prefer removing the pass kick panel to unplug the harness rather than trying to pull it into the engine compartment to disconnect. You'll see what I mean.

 

I have a bunch of pictures from my engine swap. Here are a few of them. If anyone wants them let me know.