[Techno Duck]

The best way to support the engine is from above. The car i changed them on was also in the air. What i did was use two pieces of wood plank, probaly 1 or 1.5 inches thick. I placed two pieces on each strut tower. You can then use heavy duty steel snaps, shackles or quick links ( i used quick links). Look around on WestMarine.Com if you dont know what these look like..they are used to secure anchor chain on boats and ships. I know you can get them from Home Depot..but make sure you get ones rated for more than 250-300 lbs.

Anyhow get some good quality chain (again make sure its good for 3-400lbs) and put the quick links on each engine hoist ring.

Now what you use to support across the strut towers is up to you. You can use a couple pieces of heavy duty wood, i used steel super strut which ithink you can get from home depot also (my friend had it on hand). Connect the chain to one of the quick links, wrap the chain over the superstrut, and get it as tight as possible, then connect it to the quick link. You will get what i mean when you are doing this. The chain will only get so tight due to the length of the links. Just get it as tight as possible.

Now i was a bit scared to just unbolt the cross member and go.. so i put one of those stand up jacks (the type that are about 4ft tall( under the oil pan fins, i put a wood block under the pan (to prevent damage to the pan) and supported the engine from below also. It was kind of peace of mind that an engine wasnt going to fall on my head.

You can simply disconnect the steering rack from the crossmemeber and let it hang from the tie rods. I choose to remove the rack completley as i was dropping the oil pan aswell.

You might want to take out the airbox and AFM to get maxium space to reach the front engine hoist ring. Other than that, nothing else needs to be taken off.