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Hello, I need assistance with removing the engine from my car. I have all the necessary tools and will have the engine rebuilt by a specialist. Still, it would cost an additional $4,000 if they were to remove the engine themselves. I would prefer to avoid this extra cost and request a quick run-through of the process from anyone with experience with it. If you have any tips or suggestions for a smooth engine removal, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.
Definitely get a factory manual-the actual GM one not a generic guide.
***Support the transmission before disconnecting. There is not a traditional mount so it will fall if you don't support it.***
The factory exhaust isn't too difficult to remove but I recommend getting a quality 9/16 swivel socket and various lengths of extensions up to 24" for the bellhousing bolts that also secure the converter braces. They're likely pretty tight so you'll need a long handle ratchet or breaker bar to get them loose. On the passenger side I had to unbolt the converter from the brace and then take out the bolts at the bellhousing. I used a stubby ratcheting wrench w a combo wrench as your leverage-it'll be obvious once you see it.
Other than those bolts it's all pretty straightforward. 100% recommend contacting TPIS for their Happy Hooker attachment for the intake or buy one used.
Take pics and if you tend to forget then bag and label every single bolt you remove. It's time up front but you'll be glad you did.
Last edited by djpink889; Jan 3, 2023 at 09:49 AM.
I guess a lot depends on how your abilities are at this type of work. Most people think that every time something is unbolted it looks so simple and yet when its time to back togeather its complicated. Take Pictures. Tag things. Any time something is un bolted it only takes a couple of seconds to screw the bolts back in. With every bolt thrown in a coffee can it can take hours of wasted time when its time to put it back .Pay attention to where each Wire came from around the Bell Housing. Assuming your going to pull the engine out by itself and not with the Trans You will want to remove the Pulleys on the front of the Crank and probably the Whipper Motor cover.
Whats wrong with the Engine You have ? An aftermarket Intake on a LT4 seems odd. Is it Red Color ?
Take pics and if you tend to forget then bag and label every single bolt you remove. It's time up front but you'll be glad you did.
Go to the store and invest in a couple boxes of heavy duty ziplock bags of gallon and quart sizes. (start with 1 of each) and a permanent black marker. Bag and tag (as stated above more than once) each assembly. Walmart has generic branded ones.
When I took the interior console/dash apart to put the radio in, I even had to take out the passenger seat and lots of components. Each sub assembly was stored by itself. I used bags and prescription bottles labeled with blue tape and said marker.
It was so much easier to look for screw holes when I knew that I had say 3 to find.
This way you won't end up with extra parts.
Assuming you have an Iphone or equivalent, you can text pictures to your email on your computer (assuming you have a desk top or laptop (or even a tablet is better than nothing). If you have a machine that can store images create a folder and label each picture as you detach them from the email. It is very much easier to see something on a bigger screen that on the phone. I email myself pictures all the time, really helps.
No, the hood doesn't need to be removed. I've done 2 or 3 engine swaps on C4s and the Hood can stay. I found the easiest way to do this is to pull the trans from the bottom, and then pull the engine straight up at a slight angle to clear the firewall. I can get the trans out in an hour or so. A lift helps... then label what you feel you can't recognize and keep disconnecting stuff. The AC compressor can be moved to the side while connected. Fuel rails sit on the windshield
1. Drain coolant, and oil.
2. remove exhaust
3. remove trans
4. remove starter, flywheel, clutch, etc...
5. disconnect the wirings and label as needed
6. pull straight up and out
1996 C4 Engine Removal Process
