Hey-

I am in the middle of the job, and it is looking to me like the crossmember (that goes from the radiator support straight back) is entirely under the engine. The haynes manual says I should remove it, but it seems like I might be able to save a little hassle and leave it in.

Anyone have any first hand experience with this? Is there some non-obvious reason it should come out?

Do you have stock y pipe on?

Nope- put the fed-spec warpspeed in last year...

Then your good, if you take off your y pipe its soooo much easier. To get back 2 tranny bolts. Dont forget the 2 bolts on the shift rod

Youe going to need this tool to get the 2 bolts on the bottom and 2 bolts on the rod. Here is what it looks like

Great- thanks for the info and picture! That is where I am right now, trying to get the second bolt off that support rod...

Use a 14mm and 12mm ratcheting wrenches to remove the shifter bracket bolts out. Then I remove the 14mm bolts from the passenger side half shaft mount for the axle off the engine block. Then the transmission fall right out. No need to remove the support shaft or exhaust. Hope this help too!!