Subframe swap questions

[strykr14]

I am in the middle of swapping out the subframe and all the front suspesnion parts - seeing as this is my first time doing this, I have a couple of questions:

This may be a dumb question but the engine/trans will be supported entirely by the front clip (inner fenders/radiator support) There's no problem w/that?
Subframe will be out for a day or so.

I have the front suspension off, and all the motor mount bolts are loose as are the subframe bolts. I'm worried about the Y pipe. Are they on there with studs? How screwed am I if they snap?

 

[rubydist]

The engine/trans is supported by the front clip all the time, so having it held up that way while you have the subframe out is no problem.

The Y-pipe is held on by studs in the exhaust manifold. If they break, you can remove them w/ a drill and easy-out, and replace them. They are a little hard to find, but they are available. If its a California car you are working on, you have a pretty good chance of not breaking the studs, if you use PB Blaster or similar on the nuts for a couple of days before you try to get them off.

 

[93rev2sev]

If the studs break, bite the bullet and remove the maniifolds to drill them out. Trying to do that upside down, with shavings and oil falling on your face is a recipie for a broken drill bit.