Say you remove the intake, exhaust, drive shaft, shifter, steering coupler, all the plastic under trays, the coolant and egr hoses, throttle cable, harnesses, unbolt the subframe, transmission mount and disconnect the fuel lines. Would I be able to lift the car and leave the engine/subframe behind? Would I need to remove the front control arms and tie-rods as well? Would I have to disconnect the brake hoses? Or is it just faster and easier to remove the transmission the old fashioned way and take it out through the hood? I know the LCA bolts up to the subframe, and the UCA bolts up to the frame, so would just removing the LCA give me the clearance I need, or would I have to worry about the brake lines?

 

In order to remove the transmission, you have to lower the subframe to be able to reach the top bolts.
For me it was easier to lift the chassis of the engine + tranny... but I allready removed everything (steering, control arms etc)

If you can take the transmission off, it would be easier to take the engine out through the hood. This way you can leave the subframe where it is and you would'nt have to disconnect the steering and lower control arms

 

I'm more willing to remove the control arms, and I decouple the steering when lowering the subframe anyway. My question is can I lift the car off the engine and transmission, or is it easier to remove the transmission and remove the engine through the hood?

 

It seems easier to pull the engine out through the hood with the tranny still attached to the engine if you have someone to help you guide with a cherry picker. At least that's how we do it at the shop. The way you're trying to do it implies that the car has a chassi like a truck. The engine and tranny on an s do not sit on a chassi per say and it would be a lot more of a hassle to lift the car off the tranny and engine.

 

From what I have heard, the engine/transmission assembly will not physically fit out the top.

I pull the trans first out the bottom. Then remove engine out the top, while fishing the engine harness slowly out with the engine as you raise it. I can have the engine on the stand this way in under 2 hours.

 

You should try it one day Billman... It cuts back the amount of times you have to work on your back too. Especially if you have a lift. Just make sure the tranny and engine oil are drained thoroughly and have someone guide the back end of the tranny as it's removed and replaced. But the way Billman250 does it is also one of the best ways to do it too.

 

Right the two times I removed the engine I did it this way too. I'd be willing to remove suspension bits if it means I can just lift the car and leave the engine and subframe behind. Takes me about 4 hrs to take one off the old fashioned way, and most of the time is spent removing the transmission.

 

I believe the best way to do it is Billmans way or my way. It's just a matter of preference. But the way you suggest seems cumbersome not to mention that you will need an alignment if you do it that way too. I've never tried it that way before so.....

 

You can not take the engine with transmission out trouhg the hood. That won't fit. I've tried.

Lifting the chassis of the subframe + engine + tranny is your best option if you're going to remove the subframe anyway.
Wish I had a lift

 

If you remove calipers and brake lines arent fastened to subframe then yes (you can unfasten if so). disconnect strut at bottom, steering and sway link should be fine (verify bar isnt mounted to body, if so unbolt). remove upper arm ball joint nut. You could leave calipers but you would need to disconnect brake system somewhere near caliper.

Note: I have zero experience performing this, it's only based of s2000 front suspension picture and experience removing subframes.