I've always done top with a hoist. The bad part about pulling motors up with a hoist is the alternator hitting the master cylinder, even when slid close to the block.

 

Its alot easier to move the motor than it is the whole car.
From the top

 

Bottom

 

I'm an MR2 guy... the engine has to come from the bottom up lol. Ughhh, such a bitch to work on that's why I'm gonna build an EG hatch instead of modding the MR2.

 

Any step by step pix on moving the engine from the bottom?

 

I work with no lift at home and I use a little of both. I use an engine hoist to release the motor from the car then I sit it on the ground Then I put both the side motor mount bolts in with chain then I lift the whole front end with the hoist. Voila just slide the motor out from underneath. Installation is the reverse of removal.....lol.

 

I've dropped a K20 and D16 in both through the top, but I also had 4 friends each time making sure the engine didn't hit any part of the bay. I think it'd definitely be easier going through the bottom if I didn't have so many people helping, but having a refrigerator full of beer in the garage does wonders to entice friends to come and lend a hand.

 

Going from the bottom was the easiest for me. Using a furniture dolly to roll the motor around under the hood.

 

Uptop if I have the use of a hoist, under if I don't.....thank god for scissor jacks

 

without a lift I drop it from the top but with a lift is really faster to put it from the bottom.

 

I wish i could re-vote. After having bought a hoist, dropping the engine/installing the engine from the bottem is MUCH easyer, cleaner faster,ect.

You can even park your cars 2 high!

 

Ive only done swaps through the top with a hoist. Both B & D

 

I also agree with this to the fullest. We dropped a K in through the top aswell. But having Beer and friends make the process much easier and fun!

 

I swapped my supra from the top, but that was different because it went in lengthwise. I've swapped b16's and b18's in EF's through the top, and I never would have described it as hard to do until I put a h22 in an EG from the bottom last night. Getting it to line up was cake! I'll never drop a motor in a honda through the top again!!!!!!

 

Using a hoist and installing the engine from the bottom. Guaranteed to be easier

 

the engine is designed to go in/out through the bottom from honda. if you like doing things the hard way, drop it in from the top. if you like to do things the RIGHT way, bring it up from the bottom.

 

Word

 

Ghetto it in, Put the shortblock in first, then the transmission, then the head, vioala.

 

Haha, if I had a dsm, I'd drive a honda too. thats funny.

 

when i did my first swap i thought it would be easier to remove from the top and install from the top. but after doing swaps a couple times more i found things to flow alot better and be easier for me when its removed from the bottom and put in from the bottom. i mean i find it easier this way if ur trying to install it along with the tranny bolted on

 

my post applies to b-series by the way. i have never done a k swap on my car or anyone elses.

 

i am done doing engines on my back. i use nasteboyii's lift and they go in from the bottom hahaa.

 

It really depends on what type of vehicle, i do my civic from the top with everything still connected like turbo, trans, and manifold all one piece very easy and simple.
Here are some cars I have done.

Dodge stratus/sebring- bottom with transmission
Camaro/firebirds- bottom with trans
subaru wrx- top
infinity G29-top
chevy express van- Front take off the grill, radiator support and bumper what a *itch
chevy lumina/buick century-top
lumina apv/transport- bottom with trans

I think those are the only cars i remember doing in the 15 years i have been wrenching.

 

here is a DIY how to swap from the bottom

http://6thgearadvertising.com/civic/...gh-bottom.html

 

definitely easier from the bottom, i dont always have that luxury though. what i do is i come in from the and use an engine leveler to point the trans side down then i lower the engine/trans down diagonally in the engine bay. once im clear of the the hangups in the engine bay lower the engine down on the ground and get the engine/trans level again and come straight up. never takin me more than about 45 minutes to get the motor from sitting outside the car to inside the engine bay with all 5 mounts bolted up using this method atleast on b series motors. its kinda both methods in one