if you remove the trans. you will still need to raise the engine up out of the engine bay just to get the clearence you need so it's best to take out the engine and be done with it. because you won't be able to support the engine if you're trying to work on it from under it in either case you have to use an engine crane just to support the engine while you work on it. if you don't want to do it then send it to a shop and pay them to do it for you