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Old May 29, 2012 | 01:36 PM
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Default Removing/ installing transmission

I searched but didn't find anything, any do a walk through on replacing the transmission on our cars? I'm getting ready to order one from TTP but would like to know what I'm getting into. I've done my share of wrenching so i don't think I'll have a problem. Just didn't know of Any problem areas/ things to watch out for or special tools needed.
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Old May 29, 2012 | 03:42 PM
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I just came across this the other day.
http://pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/for...98752&start=20
There's some pics of a home made engine support bracket.
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Old May 29, 2012 | 06:25 PM
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When I did mine I disconnected the headers,cold air intake.Then I removed all wiring and moved out of way.I took off both front tires to get to the cv's and removed those as well as the lower front & rear motor mount and trans mount on driver side.From the passenger side I loosened the tension pulley then removed the belt from the top with a screw driver.I pulled the motor and trans out as one as shown on my avatar and put in as one unit. There were a few other things I can't think of at the moment, but I got pics a GMLS4 in pics of rides under the the tramp.
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Old May 30, 2012 | 08:27 AM
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Originally Posted by 1CL3ANSUP3RSPORT
When I did mine I disconnected the headers,cold air intake.Then I removed all wiring and moved out of way.I took off both front tires to get to the cv's and removed those as well as the lower front & rear motor mount and trans mount on driver side.From the passenger side I loosened the tension pulley then removed the belt from the top with a screw driver.I pulled the motor and trans out as one as shown on my avatar and put in as one unit. There were a few other things I can't think of at the moment, but I got pics a GMLS4 in pics of rides under the the tramp.
guess you cant just drop the engine and transmission out the bottom like you can on an fbody?
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Old May 30, 2012 | 08:37 AM
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Originally Posted by blkchevyz
guess you cant just drop the engine and transmission out the bottom like you can on an fbody?
Too much work on top of getting an alignment, easiest way for me was too remove from top as one unit.For the OP make sure you send out your ECM and tcm next day to Dave to retune for the 3.29's and adjust the shift points.The trans has been one of the best mods I did!
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Old May 30, 2012 | 11:47 AM
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I'll second the 3.29 upgrade. I have had my TEP for almost a week and 1k miles. Love it, the 3.29 upgrade and Dave's touch on the TCM are a perfect fit for my GXP.
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Old May 31, 2012 | 08:59 AM
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i'm just getting his basic performance rebuild. love to get the gears and a tune but i got a camaro in my garage i need to get running first lol
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Old May 31, 2012 | 12:08 PM
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By far the easiest way is out the bottom.

You will need either a 4X4 wood post to lay across the strut towers to hold the engine, or do it the SAFE way and purchase a $99 transverse engine support as seen here :

http://shop.tripleedgeperformance.co...573629814.jpeg

With the engine supported with this you can drop the entire engine/transmission cradle and you will have all the room in the world to drop the transmission from underneath.

If you have dropped any FWD transmissions in the past, you will have no problem dropping this one, its very similar to other GM FWD cars, as well as the Ford Taurus layouts.

The most aggravating part is the transmission dipstick, you need to do your best to prevent damage and bending, the bolt is a feeler process.....you know how that goes.

If you get stuck, just reply here or PM me I can help....
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Old May 31, 2012 | 12:09 PM
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Ha! The image is tiny.....its on TEP's website, just go here....


http://shop.tripleedgeperformance.co...Bar-AP5820.htm

You can also get these at Harbor Freight Tools....
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Old May 31, 2012 | 12:34 PM
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so you leave the engine in the car? just take the cradle out and then pull the transmission out the bottom?
that doesn't seem too bad, but this is my first front wheel drive experience.

i'm guessing theirs no good place yo put a jack under the engine to support it.
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Old May 31, 2012 | 01:43 PM
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Either top or bottom let us know how it goes,good luck!
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Old May 31, 2012 | 02:22 PM
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love to get the gears and a tune but i got a camaro in my garage i need to get running first lol
3.29's won't cost you any more, you would just need to pay for the tune (50 bucks maybe?) if you can't do that yourself.
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Old May 31, 2012 | 03:44 PM
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who's dave that does the tuning?
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Old May 31, 2012 | 03:53 PM
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Dave @ TEP

http://www.tripleedgeperformance.com/
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Old May 31, 2012 | 04:21 PM
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A jack won't work mainly because you are removing the engine cradle. By doing so you are removing all engine mounting with the exception of the tiny dogbone style one on top.

The engine support will hold the engine safely as you work under the car with no engine cradle. I used a 4x4 myself, but have since purchased the support tool. Trust me its worth the small cost. Not to mention makes re assembling much easier.

Where are you located, you can drive with 3.29's with a tune, it will just throw a MIL until you get it calibrated with HP tuners
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Old May 31, 2012 | 04:22 PM
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I meant without a tune...
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Old May 31, 2012 | 04:32 PM
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i'm in st louis mo.

ok i wasn't sure if it was the same Dave or not.
i'll have to contact him regarding it, I'd like to gain a little performance out of this.
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Old May 31, 2012 | 04:44 PM
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I'm in Louisville, KY. If u wanna make the drive, I've got HP tuners and we can get you squared away....
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Old May 31, 2012 | 06:53 PM
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To quote Dave @ TEP, driving with 3.29s without a tune "will set trouble codes and could damage the transmission." So I'd be really careful about that drive I guess!
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Old May 31, 2012 | 10:52 PM
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Originally Posted by UseAsDirected
To quote Dave @ TEP, driving with 3.29s without a tune "will set trouble codes and could damage the transmission." So I'd be really careful about that drive I guess!
I drove it that way for 50 miles or so to get to the dyno with no obvious issues other than a MIL. The MIL was something to the effect of speed sensor, go figure... Now I didn't gun it everywhere either, I just wanted to make sure everything shifted fine, after the rebuild and upgrades.

The transmission parameters can be adjusted for almost any condition, cruise on, cruise off, tap shift, normal driving, shift points at WOT, shift points normal, shift time, etc. I was not about to pay someone time to dial the transmission in how I wanted it. I purchased HP Tuners and haven't looked back.

Transmission has 20,000 miles on it so far....so hopefully it will provide a long, abused life for me...lol
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