Best plan of attack

[Varinn]

I've got a bunch of work to do on the e30 this weekend and not a ton of time to do it all, so I'm hoping to grab some input on what my best way of doing this is. I have access to a hoist, impact gun, wrenches, ratches, a vice, screwdrivers, and some other generic tools but the specialty bits end there. I'm able to do work Saturday between 8am and 8pm, and Sunday between 8am and noon where I need to be completed. I can potentially borrow any really important tools from a friend's shop. I'm dedicating this weekend to the front end, the rear overhaul is next weekend. I'll have the help of a mechanic friend for a couple hours on Sunday, but not likely any more than that.

I'm going to be doing
Control arms and CABS (already pressed into spare lollypops)
e36 steering rack swap (spare knuckle pre-modified)
tie rods
oil pan swap (m20b25) with new gasket
sway bar mounts and end links
motor mounts
transmission mounts

As far as I see it now, I should try grabbing myself an engine support bar and rigging the engine to it, then drop the subframe and do it all out of the car. Is this practical or is this more work than it's worth? WWR3VD?

[jlevie]

Since you will be replacing the pan, I'd support the engine and remove the subframe assembly.

[enigmaticdream]

Since you will be replacing the pan, I'd support the engine and remove the subframe assembly.

+1 it will make doing most of the work on that list a lot easier outside of the engine bay.

[Varinn]

Thats what I thought, i'll try and borrow an engine support from a buddy and do it. I shouldn't need to drop the struts should I? I dont want to have to grab brake fluid too unless I must. Going purely imagination, not experience I believe I'll just have to pull the steering coupler, steering hoses, disconnect control arms and tie rods from struts, undo motor mounts and unbolt the subframe from the chassis? I can do the lollipops before or after I'd imagine. Am I missing anything? I fully expect to find a couple little things I missed, but anything major?