Well, I feel like investing in a money pit... I've found an s70 AWD at a wonderful price but with a bad transmission. I have yet to purchase it, but and thinking of taking it on...

First off: terrible idea?

Secondly: Is it best to drop the transmission then replace it or pull up and out the engine and the tranny and work on them outside the car? I'd also do a timing belt on the car, so having the engine out would make that (and possibly other repairs/replacements) easier. Being able to see everything is wonderful...

Thirdly: Will only the AW42AWD fit? I know its a 'terrible' transmission when abused, so is it possible to put in an other, or do I really have to search and find a 'good' tranny at a junkyard or something. I am planning on doing this as cheap as possible so I'd rather spend $100 on a gamble transmission opposed to a 'rebuilt' or 'reconditioned' at 1000+.. Rear damaged cars (or a car with obvious engine damage) would be better feeder cars. Can I get the 50/51, assuming I bring along the TCM, to work? Is it worth the headache?

Finally: When I do all this, should I do the rebuilding on the Bevel gear like jadhnm did, or should I wait to see if the gear fails? I'd want to get at least 75-100k out of this car, and with a possible moving to Wyoming for a job, I'd appreciate the AWD a lot...
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If you're not driving it "like its stolen," are you really driving?