LS 1 engine removal tool
 

I have heard of a tool that makes engine removal very easy in the Camaro/Firebird. Who makes it and what is the cost. Is the tool different for the LT1? I am considering putting a LS1 in my '97 Trans Am. The LT1 has been nothing but trouble.

Re: LS 1 engine removal tool
 

What kind of tool are you talking about Richard?
I put my car up on my 2 post lift, and take my LT1 out the bottom.
I would do an LS1 the same way.

Re: LS 1 engine removal tool
 

Re: LS 1 engine removal tool
 

I have dropped it out the bottom and pulled it from the top with a Happy Hooker. I have yet to pull it out the front, but it looks like a quicker option.



[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feeFmQ8RPcU"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feeFmQ8RPcU[/ame]

Re: LS 1 engine removal tool
 

Kyle,

I dont think Pete will let you get away with that....

Re: LS 1 engine removal tool
 

You are right, but I did send this video to Gary Emmons before I worked on his car. Don't know why he acted so fidgety.

Re: LS 1 engine removal tool
 

I have a "Happy Hooker" and used it with my LT1. It uses the little metric bolts that hold the fuel rails on, scary, but worked well. When I changed to the LS1, I would put the engine in with the intake off. There was no way to do it without smashing the plastic intake. Dyno

Re: LS 1 engine removal tool
 

i've pulled ls1's out of fbodys multiple times. i found it easiest coming out right through the top. used 4 valley cover bolts and pulled the trans/engine as one piece. the angle is very steep but it cake with 2 people

Re: LS 1 engine removal tool
 

the Happy Hooker looks like the tool that I had seen and heard about. I had heard that without it, you had to pull the motor from the bottom and without a lift that didn't seem like a viable option. Thanks guys.

Re: LS 1 engine removal tool
 

It's faster to pull it out the bottom. I helped a friend of mine who is very knowledgeable with LT1 cars, pull one. From start to finish we had the engine out in under 2 hours and on a roller table. There are so many annoying bolts that you don't need to disconnect when you pull the engine from the bottom. All of the header bolts stay, all of the transmission bolts stay. You basically remove the 6 k-member bolts, the 8 shock tower bolts, all of the radiator hoses, fuel lines, crossmember, driveshaft, wiring harness plug, throttle cable, etc.

The only messy part is that you have to disconnect the front brake lines, but everything is much more accessable.

Re: LS 1 engine removal tool
 

If its a street car I highly recommend coming out the bottom. On a race car top is no problem.

Re: LS 1 engine removal tool
 

This should work better than the Happy Hooker for an LS1.

http://carshop.carshopinc.com/produc...138470/CSP2397

Re: LS 1 engine removal tool
 

On street car w/heater etc. I think out the bottom is better I believe,I could have on floor before I could get header bolts,if I could even get them out.
Mike Taylor 3601

Re: LS 1 engine removal tool
 

Since I have an aversion to crawling around in the floor, (I'm old and would have to get back up) I use a roll around hydraulic table for the engine & Trans to sit on, and my lift, I can have it out almost as fast as I could get the headers out. The headers go on & come off sitting on that table.

If I'm changing cams, headers, or pulling heads I raise the car off the engine & Trans sitting on that table (aka take it out the bottom) and just work on it right there. When done I just let the car back down & and bolt up the motor plate, cross member & put the drive shaft back in. The ECU harness & two fuel lines had to come off either way. I find that easier than bending over the fenders. But, as I mentioned, I'm old.

Re: LS 1 engine removal tool
 

I have the happy hooker tool but I would agree on a street car it's easier coming out the bottom. I just pulled the engine out of my street Camaro. I don't have a lift and have a low ceiling so I spent an extra hour pulling the front bumper cover. I believe it took me about 4 1/2 hours but then again I am old. It still seemed much easier than pulling it from the top. Sure would be nice to have a lift!!

Re: LS 1 engine removal tool
 

On second thought, it does seem easier to remove it from the bottom. It seemed in the beginning that there was no way it could be easier but looking at the engine in the bay and knowing everything is difficult to access, I agree it would be easier from the bottom. It's like other situations where until you tackle something, one way just appears to be more difficult but after a through study another way is not as difficult as first considered. Thanks everyone for helping me see things from a different perspective.