Tranny Swap & Aluminum Sub-Frame

**Speedy1973** · 07-26-2012

So, long story short, my car is gonna need a new tranny, and i'd looking to upgrade my rusted and cracked to sh!t subframe (i'm gonna have to invest in new Control arms too) and was thinking of the following....

Would it be at all possible to drop engine trans everything out the bottom by disconnecting everything that needs to be, unbolting the front struts, subframe bolts and such and then dropping it, and removing engine and trans after all said and done.... If this procedure is at all possible, is there a write up on doing it (i've found "Engine and Transmission together" out the top threads.... Hot helpful for what i want to do...

now the second part:

Are the subframes in Regal's, Impalas and such compatible with 97-03 Grand prixs?? (i figure they would be considering their all w-bodies)
Are they all Aluminum??
& finally, are they at all of any good replacement for whats in there currently?? (I could possibly get a sub frame off a 01 impala or off 3 Buick Regal's at scrap)
*if there was a g-p there i would have a ball getting parts*
**Might just look into a cheaper full parts car like a GTP**

**Fivefingerdeathpunch** · 07-26-2012

I think only monte carlo's and impala have the aluminum subframes.

And yes, you can just drop everything out the bottom.

Make sure the trans you buy is the same as the one in your car now. (What is your car?)

Or are you having it rebuilt.

**gtpeddie** · 07-26-2012

regals do to im pretty sure

**Fivefingerdeathpunch** · 07-26-2012

they dont.

**Speedy1973** · 07-27-2012

I'm buying another tranny, it's from a wrecked 02 GT with 97,000kms on it

**BillBoost37** · 07-27-2012

2000+ Impala/Monte
2004+ GP (double check 04's though, I thought I heard some had the steel)

Everything else fits right on it.

**BillBoost37** · 07-27-2012

OH..and to take it all out the bottom, you want a lift and a way to move the carcass once you drop it out. Because it's going to weigh over 1,000 lbs easily.

Me, I prefer to pull out the top, then support the car, yank the ps rack off the subframe and drop it out.

**lrscgod** · 07-27-2012

I can get an aluminum cradle from LKQ self serve for 60 bucks here in Savannah, I was looking at doing the aluminum cradle as well. I did some research and found out that the 2003 and earlier Impala and Monte aluminum cradles are better because of the way they are made. the 2003.5+ started using an inferior extrusion design more apt to cracking. Just a little FYI. Here's the link i found that explains it.

Learn me about aluminum engine cradles - The Chicago Garage

**Speedy1973** · 07-27-2012

Bill, would a A.T.V Jack do the trick

**Scottydoggs** · 07-27-2012

Originally Posted by Speedy1973

Bill, would a A.T.V Jack do the trick

im not BIll but thats what he uses, a ATV jack. works like a charm. jack it up to the pan, un bolt it, separate it, drop it, drag it out the d/s wheel well.. for a trans drop alone that is.