Also, that one bolt on the starter that needs to be removed that everyone uses a 36" extension for... we didn't have enough extensions, so we just removed the whole intake manifold first. Provides easy access to that horribly placed bolt!

 

lol.. you removed the intake !!
thats so unnesscary,

I've removed the trans 4 times this year... use a extensive, a wobble connector, and a long 14mm socket with all the extensions tapes.

a massive light source, and 9 times out of 10 it hits right on

 

Only remove the top starter bolt, as it is threaded into the transmission.

Here's the trick:

-Using a snake style penlight, fish it down between the 3rd and 4th intake runner

-LOOKING down between the 2nd and 3rd runner, you will see the light, and the upper starter bolt. Situate the light so it is touching the upper starting bolt, illuminating it

-now walk to the front of the car, and look...you will see the bolt lit up, and you will see the exact path to run your extension and 14mm swivel

-now...fish the extension through the path, using very light hands. like you are fishing it through icicles and any pressure will break them. This is important, as you WILL break the $150 knock sensor if you are not carful, or put any sideways pressure on the extension.

-now loosen the bolt, leave the bolt in the hole, and leave the extension in the path and swivel socket on the bolt for the duration of the job

 

We were removing the entire engine, rebuilding the bottom end, so the IM and head had to come off anyway

 

Was this hard? I thought you need to drop the sub frame and Trans ?