It looks like I'm going to live alone again, which is good, but means I won't have any help for the engine swap, rear end swap, or turbo install. Do I want to do this at my parent's house where my step-father will help me, or go solo in my apartment garage?

should I have chicken or steak for dinner?

I've never done a swap before, wanted a little advice. Is a swap a 1 man job?

If you have the tools, just do it yourself in your apartment garage. You have another car, what's the worst that could happen?

everything is possible with 1 person, but is easier with 2. an engine hoist with a balance bar will be extremely helpful if you're alone.

Most things can be 1 man jobs, but many things are easier when you have a pair of helping hands. If you get along with your step-father and if it doesn't inconvenience you too much to be over there for 2 days or so, I'd say go for it.

A better solution might be to have somebody come over to your pad and help. Then if they **** you off, you can tell them to go home instead of you being stuck at their place with your half finished car.

+1

I'm sure it can be done solo, but an extra pair of hands makes things much easier. Plus, there is someone to call 911 if you get hurt doing something stupid.

I know it was an absolute ************ to do the clutch alone. It took an entire day too.

The best part for me having help in my first swap was just the moral support. To me that was more helpful than the physical part. The best location will be the one that is the most convenient for you to get to and from over a few days time. That way you can work on it whenever the mood or oportunity hits.

im gonna go with steak...or venison if its an option...

When my 3 year old asks an inane question, and he does a lot, I always ask him what he thinks. My goal in this is two fold. One, to make him think things through and use his memory and reasoning skills. Two, to make him stop asking the same question over and over again. So ...

What do you think Hustler, is an engine swap a one or two man job? REALLY think about it. If the clutch was a ---- by yourself imagine replacing an engine.

I'd say go with two, like BRGracer says if you do something stupid there is someone to help you out.

As for Ben ... beef, always beef.

it can be done alone, its a pain in the ***, but it can be done...only way i would accept help would be from someone i can trust not to crush my heater core lines, lol so in other words someone that knows a little about our cars already that i dont have to babysit
keep in mind you will need some room to move around, apartment garages can be small from my experience...good luck to ya and if i was closer, like less than 500 miles id help you out, haha, but im at least 1000 miles away
good luck man, and just get to it

I did a full rear-end swap into my 90 in about 2 hours by myself, but i had a second hand in my garage making sure i was ok and if i needed help

right, but taking a trans on and off under a car is a much different process. Its not an inane question if I'm stuck working on a car alone and need help because its a question I should have asked before I started.

pulling the motor maybe, but i can't see myself putting it back with just me. it's really helpful to have one person pushing the hoist while another checks clearances to make sure you're not doing something stupid. i would highly recommend getting help for that. the rear-end swap and turbo install can easily be done by yourself though.

I never turn down help if the person is competent. It just gets you where you want to be sooner. Our racer crew always gets together and "attacks" somebody's project. Always knocks out a job in way less time. Installing the engine is always easier with a second person (especially if the trans is bolted up).

it took me 2 weekends swapping my diff out and installing the kaaz unit. did it all in a parking spot, alone....

Swapped my engine alone, did the turbo alone, swapped the diff alone.....oh wait, im not a *****.

I would buy a large case of beer and invite over friends. They can but do not have to be mechanically adept, as long as they can hold ****.

In your particular scenario, ask your male life partner to help out