I found an easier way to remove the transmission on a 3rd gen Jbody today. This should apply to all engines / 5 speeds
not sure about the autos since they're HUGE
if you chop off about an inch off of the subframe on the driver's side, it'll allow you to rotate the differential upwards, and the trans will shimmy out of the car with little difficulty
no more need to drop the subframe or pull the engine and trans together
made the job a LOT easier to complete
here's pictures of where I'm talking about:
You just compromised the strenght of the subframe greatly.
- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new
^
You obviously don't know what your talking about...the subframe is bolted....take the bolts out and drop it, lift the subframe back up and put the bolts back in. No compromising anything.
we stood on my tranny to get it out....with the subframe still in.....and i think pj knows what hes talking about....he drives a 14 sec flat all motor car
Rob S wrote:You just compromised the strenght of the subframe greatly.
uh
here's a more graphic explanation:
mind explaining how cutting off the tip compromised any strength?
stay in the newb forum where you belong
just to solidify my point and what I did, here's yet ANOTHER picture showing what I cut in order to make my life 1000times easier
get it now?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Saturday, December 23, 2006 8:06 PM
^My bad, I missed the cut. However it didn't compromise anything I have to say. I might do this when I chage my tranny.
you won't regret it about 5 minutes with a cut off wheel and hit up the bare metal with some paint and changing trans got like 100times easier
The subframe has what...... 6 bolts...
That is what I had to do to get my tranny back in easier. I didn't realize how tight of a fit it was until removing it. PJ is right, just chopping off that little bit of metal made it so much easier to get the ol getrag back into my car.
i personally dont understand what all the fuss is about.
we took a cheery picker and a chain... held up the tranny from topside... then used a jack underneath, we had no problems getting a 97 izuzu in or out 3 times. (on a 2.4 tho, but u said 3rd gen J)
what gives?
the Getrag is alittle heaver and tighter to get out than a issuze tranny.
but ive seen the tranny taken out like that alot of times at work. only we dont cut anything.
Chris
'02 Z-24 Supercharged
13.7 @102.45 MPH Third Place, 2007 GMSC Bash SOLD AS OF 01MAR08
i think it may take longer to cut that stuff then to loosen 6 bolts... and let the subframe sway down 5 inches...
LE61T PTE6262 Powered 
When you loosen/drop the subframe, there's a good chance that you'll need an alignment when you're done. Good job PJ, if you find you're dropping the tranny often (4th tranny over here) this would be handy.
15.3 @ 89.97mph, 14's on the way?
Quote:
When you loosen/drop the subframe, there's a good chance that you'll need an alignment when you're done
the exact reason I don't like dropping mine.
those 6 bolts on the subframe is 6 less bolts I have to mess with, as well as supporting the subframe
idk I like this way better.. less disassembly required
I got my tranny out without cutting them but it took alot of manuvering the tranny around. I cut the bracket a bit with a wiz wheel and it took 1/4 of the time to get it back in. The only thing that bolts to that bracket is a metal brace that runs to the rad support and where we cut it still leaves the hole intact to reinstall the brace.
I'm going to have to get around to cutting this thing this time around
Usually I do the subframe drop, I just like to have it out of the way. But when my cars (blue one, drag car, and my brother's) have the trans pulled a few times a year, it only makes sence to make it the easiest it can be.
SPD RCR Z -
'02 Z24 420whp
SLO GOAT -
'04 GTO 305whp
W41 BOI -
'78 Buick Opel Isuzu W41 Swap
Well i got time to pull my trans out finally....but i dont have time to put it back in. I did preform the PJ Sub frame mod as i know i will be pulling the trans in the future so, when i drop the trans again, I will post up how much easier it was.....Thanks PJ
no prob guys, doin what I can to make the modding world an easier one for my Jbody brothers
I dont have a saw lol, ill just drop the subframe
Nice to know though.
~2014 New Z under the knife, same heart different body~
______________________
WHITECAVY no more
2012 numbers - 4SPD
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i pulled the trans out of my 04 cavy with no trouble at all. took a little moving around to get it back in but thats just cause i had a crap jack to work with to lift it. i didnt have much trouble at all and dont see the need to cut anything whether strength is an issue or not.
2004 Cavalier, 2.2 ecotec, 5spd getrag
do you ever notice that the ones who talk the loudest have the least to talk about?
^^^^ did you drop the subframe or anything? ill be looking at this when i do my clutch in the near future, same deal, 2004, 2.2
Thats an awsome tip you have shared PJ, I will have to try that on my buddys clutch job next weekend,
