if i wanted to swap trannies over..do i have to take the engine off the car?

 

No you don't have to. Is it easier to take both of them out, some say yes some say no. But to answer your question, you can leave the engine in.

 

What he said. I've got experience doing it both ways (on the same day, no less), and here's what I can offer:

When I pulled the transmission out of my '88 CRX Si, it took me 5.5 hours to do it. I started early in the morning. That afternoon, I went to a friend's house and took out his '89 CRX Si's engine AND transmission. That took 3.5 hours. Needless to say, I was shocked. Chances are, if I'm pulling a transmission from now on, I'm pulling it with the motor.

The downside to that is that it gives you more chances to screw up when you put it back in, not getting everything connected up just right. And, if you pull just the transmission, you can do it without an engine lift.

Work with what you've got available, and you can get it done, though.

Mike