I went out the bottom. I had debated going out the top, but it was surprisingly easy to get it out the bottom. I did this all myself, and it was my first pass at an engine swap. I was honestly doing most of that work for the first time, with no help. I was incredibly happy with myself when I was done.

I’m #7, whooo!!!

I went out the bottom. Easiest way to do it, especially by yourself.

Swivel head ratchet, and gearwrenches. Those two items saved my ass. Never needed a single swivel socket

I read that article, I immediately felt your pain.

And if there was enough interest, I might write about it. It honestly was a shit show from beginning to end.

I don’t know if I ever posted on rennlist, but I did a fair amount of lurking in the forums

I thought about the Lisle, but decided on the one I bought at the last minute. Other than a wall mount unit, I don’t think I’d use anything different. The two sides clamping at once makes it a breeze and is far safer. The only downside is the bulkiness of the tool and strut together makes it awkward to disassemble.

It was a very interesting ordeal.

I was terrified of struts and shocks on my Saabs. I bought one of the heavy duty spring compressors from harbor freight that does both sides with one large threaded rod and bolt at the center. I now have no fear whatsoever. No way was I chancing my life to those flimsy compressors.

I still remember the hour of futility trying to pound that thing out.

I know that feeling. At least you could do the entire job with about 6 metric sockets and wrenches.

A full engine swap in a Porsche 944. In a driveway approximately 12” wider than the car. With no air tools. Took me about 2 months of weekends, and in the midst of it I found out my wife was pregnant. I’m shocked she didn’t tear my head off.

If you are going to make it your own, for god’s sake put the 710 cap on the right way!

Got my eyes checked a few months back for a real bad twitch in one of them. Turns out nothing is wrong in there, but my other eye had a piece of metal in it. My doc says it won’t hurt anything, but still tried to get it out. Nothing stranger than tools in your eye ball. Damn near passed out in the chair.

I gave up on trying to be nice with it. I just broke off the y-pipe bolts off (exhaust manifold was coming off anyway) and slid the cat and y-pipe out of the way. I’ll deal with the rest of it when I put the headers in.

I know the feeling. I do the same with goggles. I always end up with shit in my eyes.

Gloves are your friend. I’ve gone through about a dozen Harbor Freight mechanic’s gloves, but they keep the nails nice and clean. Now if only they made them up to my shoulders.

That explains it! I was going to say, that can’t be a T-5. Those valve covers are sweet too.

Gorgeous car! I had a 2000 Firebird, Auto, with Ceramic headers and the Borla Catback with cutout. That car was fun. My new toy is a 1997 Camaro Convertible, 51k miles. In the midst of a clutch upgrade and adding headers now. Probably going with a Magnaflow catback next year and continuing on replacing/repairing the…