Mr_ET

Hi guys, I will be doing a straight D17a1 swap for another engine that is the same soon and want to know if it's possible to pull the engine from the top or if it should be done dropped out the bottom?

I have a ton of experience with EF,EG,EK chassis civics but am wondering since the 01-05 is different.

I'd rather not remove the front subframe if I don't need to and want to do this as quickly and easily as possible.

Could that who have pulled one out to do a swap tell me how they did it and what is easiest and least time consuming?

thx

ken9

Well you have to remember that "safety first." Otherwise if not then bad thing can happen. It would be much safer to take the engine from the top than the bottom, but would need a cherry picker. You can get those for rental but not sure where..

Mr_ET

I have a cherry picker, I just wanted to make sure there wasn't something that would prevent me from pulling it from the top.

I do all my swaps this way and I am hoping this can be done the same. I would rather not lift the frame with the cherry picker as I don't have a transmission jack or something similar to support the engine as I lift the frame off.

baron340

If you have access to a lift, out the bottom is way easier. We do it at work all the time. Disconnect everything, pull the axles etc. Lower the car down on a big rolling table, pull the subframe bolts and raise the car right up off the engine. By far the easiest way. That's the way they are designed to go in and out in the factories. But, you can pull it from the top without issue.

Mr_ET

it's a home garage and no I don't have a lift because the celing is not high enough.

Out the top she goes then!

skatejosh369

I have pulled my motor a few times without a cherry picker. Pulled it piece by piece. Last weekend when I pulled it I left the tranny in as well as the axels which made the job much faster. I unbolted the tranny from the block and remember there are still 2 mounts holding the tranny up (rear mount and side tranny mount) and I would highly recommend trying to do the job this way. If you want to go out the bottom you wont have to pull it piece by piece if you do not have a cherry picker. Jack the car up about as high as you can and still be able to get some jack stands up under it put a jack under the oil pan and unbolt the motor and you should be able to lower it down without any problems at all. My jack stands are not tall enough to do this or I would just so I wouldnt have to break the motor down.

Mr_ET

I have a cherry picker thx.