Who has dropped a trans (G260) out of a DOHC E30?

[Wh33lhop]

How the FUCK do you get it all the way off? I tried getting long-ass subframe bolts and dropping the subframe down on that but it still wasn't low enough, some stupid tab on the trans was still pressing against the firewall no matter how I rotated it. I needed to drop the subframe another two inches at least (I've also shimmed the engine mounts, go figure). If I do this without bolts, it's going to be nigh impossible to get the subframe to line back up with the bolt holes thanks to a CAB that I didn't perfectly install.

[Mr Two]

Have you taken the motor mount arms off the motor, and lowered everything down and tilted it? I still haven't dropped the tranny in my car, but that's the way we did my buddy's S2k, and the clearances in that car are TIGHT.

[Wh33lhop]

I don't have a cherry picker at my disposal (working in a parking lot, and alone at that), so just lowering the drivetrain not connected to anything isn't very viable an option.

[triggrhaapi]

I don't have a cherry picker at my disposal (working in a parking lot, and alone at that), so just lowering the drivetrain not connected to anything isn't very viable an option.

Rent one. Can't be done without a cherry picker. That's why I kept the one I used to install the motor.

[Wh33lhop]

I have one handy, but I can't really use it as there are cars to the left and right of my car.



I don't think it's impossible without one, it's just been a bitch so far. I might be able to get away with pulling the hood or something and going in from the front (yeah yeah).

[Mr Two]

Of course you can. Go in from the front. The only other option is lowering it down via a jack, which wont be as safe.

Dont skimp on it. Get the right tools, trust me.

[jrdeamicis]

Take the motor off the arms( by supporting the motor from below) , drop the subframe. Lower everything. Remove the heatshields.

Then raise the motor, bolt subframe.

[rThor432]

Weird, my G260 went in/came out like a stock one would. I had no issues at all installing/removing it when it was attached to the S52. I didnt loosen up motor mounts or lower subframes either. Good luck man.. hope it doesn't give you too much hell.

[White325is]

^^^ What he said. I have no issues either. But I dont have any of that inso fuckin with me either.

[Wh33lhop]

Take the motor off the arms( by supporting the motor from below) , drop the subframe. Lower everything. Remove the heatshields.

Then raise the motor, bolt subframe.

Support the motor with what? I've only got one jack, this is one of the problems.

Also, why not just lower the motor and subframe as one?

Weird, my G260 went in/came out like a stock one would. I had no issues at all installing/removing it when it was attached to the S52. I didnt loosen up motor mounts or lower subframes either. Good luck man.. hope it doesn't give you too much hell.

Well, it probably has a lot to do with my shimmed motor mounts. But it just will not budge past a certain point, even after I dropped the subframe by almost 2 inches. I might want to try dropping the subframe on the longer subframe bolts again and jacking at the front of the oil pan tilting the whole assembly down... but I think last time I tried something similar the valve cover just got mushed into the firewall. How'd you do it?

[evangreen]

Im doing this as we speak. I left the driver side motor mount connected, and unbolted the passenger side. Supporting the engine from the oil pan with some 2x4's on top of a cheapo floor jack ($15 at kragan with two jack stands, so now you don't have an excuse to not have one) I lowered the engine rotating it.
I had to do this to get to the top passenger side bolt, mine was too close to the fire wall to get a socket on. After this rotation I was able to snake it out

[Wh33lhop]

Of course you can. Go in from the front. The only other option is lowering it down via a jack, which wont be as safe.

Dont skimp on it. Get the right tools, trust me.

I also might mention that this is a public street, not a private parking lot. I kind of doubt the 5-0 is going to like someone with a cherry picker in the way of traffic, but I asked my friend to bring it up this weekend just in case.

[Wh33lhop]

Im doing this as we speak. I left the driver side motor mount connected, and unbolted the passenger side. Supporting the engine from the oil pan with some 2x4's on top of a cheapo floor jack ($15 at kragan with two jack stands, so now you don't have an excuse to not have one)

Sure I do. I live in a tiny apartment complex with nowhere to work on my car, and I can't lug an 80lb jack 200 feet and down 2 flights of stairs every time I want to do anything, not to mention I don't have room for it anywhere in my apt. But I'll look into it. :p I've already got a Craftsman aluminum jack, that's enough to lug around.

I lowered the engine rotating it.
I had to do this to get to the top passenger side bolt, mine was too close to the fire wall to get a socket on. After this rotation I was able to snake it out

I got all the bolts off, and the trans is half off. But I'll give this a shot when I get the chance. Did you have to support the trans too to even out the load or did you just use 1 jack?

[evangreen]

I swapped the engine out of my truck on a public street with a cherry picker last month, and that was in P.C. Berkeley.

A cop came by and checked out what i was doing, he let me continue. He said that your not allowed to swap engines in the street, but if your car is inoperable your also allowed to do any work necessary to get it drivable.

They would rather just let you finish than dealing with moving or towing a car thats half taken apart

[evangreen]

Sure I do. I live in a tiny apartment complex

I got all the bolts off, and the trans is half off. But I'll give this a shot when I get the chance. Did you have to support the trans too to even out the load or did you just use 1 jack?

I rotated my engine down when the trans was still attached, i still had that one bolt in. After i rotated it i let the trans just hang as low as it could. After taking the last bolt out i supported it in what i thought was the center with a cheapo floor jack and kind of wiggled it loose. then backed it out with the jack

Get another cheapo floor jack, there inexpensive and light