I'm wanting to replace the transaxle on a 2003 SS and wondering whether this would be easier done just removing the transaxle rather than the whole power train. I don't have a lift but thinking I could remove from the bottom by lifting the front end slightly. Or, would it be easier to remove the whole power train from the top? Also, which transaxle does it need for replacement?

 

I don't think taking it out of the bottom is as easy as you may think. The whole cradle has to come out (not just lowered a bit), so you're essentially pulling all of the same stuff, just out the bottom. But now you're also digging into suspension bits as well since some of that hooks to the cradle.

IMO pulling it out the bottom is fine for someone with a 4 post lift as you're doing the reverse of how the factory installed it, but for a DIY'r with a picker, I'd pull it out the top.


As for the replacement - is yours not rebuildable? I'm not overly familiar with the monte carlo 4t65s, but on the grand prix side, 98-02 could be swapped around, but the 03+ had some changes. Not impossible to interchange, but took some custom work.

You've also got to watch transmission type (if supercharged, its an HD transmission, otherwise its regular) and making sure its got the same final drive ratio if you start going into 4t65s from other cars.