Stupid Transmission Question

[e46ashley]

I'm swapping 5 speeds from one 01 325ci to another 01. I have a really, really embarrassing stupid question... but the answer could greatly speed up the process... So here goes. Don't judge.

Is there any reason I can't separate the bell housing from the transmission and remove the transmission itself and leave the bell housing in place since I'm going to be replacing it with an identical transmission?

Thanks in advance for any help, and not judging a young lady too harshly.