Hi all,

I'm putting my engine back in this week, but had a quick question for those that have done it before. Can I fully assemble the engine (intake manifold, exhaust manifold, TURBO, down pipe, etc) before sliding it back in again (through the top)? I would rather assemble as much as I can while the engine is out, including the turbo and related components. Transmission will be pre-attached to the engine before going in too.

Radiator, etc, is all out so there is a lot of clearance. I'm pretty sure it will be fine, but doesn't hurt to ask

Thanks!

S.

 

frankly speaking we always do it from below.. remove the subframe , complete the engine, attach subframe to engine and then slide under the car and installl

 

You can do all that, minus the down pipe.

 

I did it from the top with just turbo manifold on. I can see it being faster with everything assembled.
Havnt taken off a subframe so wouldn't know the time difference.

 

Thanks guys! I'm gonna do it from the top most likely... I have a 4-post lift so I could put it under and lower the car on to it, but I have an engine hoist ready to go, and that's how I took it out, so probably just going to do it that way...

Unless someone says it's drastically easier to do it from underneath

Thanks!

Shash

 

Definitely go from the bottom and use the 4 post lift. Going from the top will usually result in more scratches and possible damages to other components in the engine bay.

 

doing from the top is pretty easy. I did it by myself no problem. If you get some help it will be super simple. Going from the bottom just makes for so much more work. Just use a load leveler with your cherry picker and you will be fine.

 

Thanks for all the replies guys... Can I pre-install the TC on the transmission if I go in through the bottom? If so, that might swing it to the bottom as I'd prefer to install the TC while off the car for easy access . Else I'll probably just do the top.

Thanks!

S.

 

good thing about going in trough the bottom is that you can put the tc on and also install the back transmission mount.. I always remove the subframe and take the engine out that way..

when you remove the subframe make sure you disconnect the steering column from within the cabin and mark the position of it on the steering rack input shaft.. that way you will not have a problem with the steering position sensor and abs /acd (if you have those on the car)

 

On average how long does it take to drop the frame?
ill be removing/installing my cuzins motor.
I've only dropped a frame on a rsx and 1g Dsm.

 

last time i put mine in ... from the top, i had my intake manifold on but nothing on the hot side.
tranny was on.

i pre filled the transfer case up with a quart of fluid through the out put shaft and then put it in the car and tied it up to the side, out of the way with a strap. Slid the driveshaft in so no fluid ran out.

worked the motor and tranny combo down thru the top using a motor leveler.
Having a helper is a must.
as you go down you have to slowly work the transfer case into place by letting the strap loose.

took a couple hours

with the right tools (lift and stuff), im sure going up from the bottom is easier.

 

I dropped mine in my myself, from the top. With a helper, I did it with trans attached. T case was in the car. IM was on. I think i put the exh mani and turbo on after. Lots of room with no rad.

 

Looks like I'll be dropping it from the top just like Rom.
Dont feel comfortable enough to drop the frame yet haha

 

I had my intake manifold and the turbo/02 housing on when I put my engine in. The part that made it the hardest to get it? The damn oil filter was getting in the way of the side wall and made the TC a ***** to position right. Took me a hell of a long time, granted I was by myself. I feel like from the bottom is ideal but it would be hard to get the car up high enough.

 

I went through the top in the end... and it was a B**CH! The turbo/O2 housing wasn't an issue.. but the oil filter housing and accessory tensioner bolt were! I put a flat piece of plywood up against the A/C radiator because inevitably the engine will swing in to it. By myself (wife helped by raising/lowering the cherry picker though, so you really should have two people minimum, three would be better!) it took me quite a while to get it in (like 2-3 hours). If I didn't have the filter housing on, probably would have shaved off 1hr+. I had to remove the tensioner bolt, rear engine mount bracket (engine side), and side transmission mount bracket too, then it slid in.

If I ever do this again, I'm going through the bottom. Also, if you didn't drop the subframe, remember to put the TC in FIRST! I dropped the engine in, then realized I forgot to put the TC in! So I had to drop the freaking subframe anyway (since it won't fit between engine and subframe crossmember)

Thanks!

S.