if all your doin is the trannie, then put the car up about 2' and pull the trans. did this on my buddy's camaro (84 700R4 trans) and it was a piece o cake.

it is handy to have an extra floor jack to unload the rear end to get teh torque brace off (use the jcak to 'twist' the rear forward). make sure the rear end is hanging on the suspension as you'll need the clearance above the diff to get the bolts out.

on the back of the engine (on the chevy anyway) the TV cable was bolted solid - we destroyed the TV cable as it hung up here.

You'll need a LONG extension and a good light to be able to get the top bellhousing bolts. once the cross member is out, let the rear of the trans hang a bit and you should be able to get at the top bolts. patience will be required to get teh bolts back in. (and some grease in the socket to hold the bolt too). Neither one of use could get our hands between the firewall and engine from the top side.

as to pulling it out as one unit - you still need to get the car 2' in the air so clear the tailshaft of the trans, and then you will feel ike you are working on some big 4x4 truck. did it this way once, and prefer not to unless BOTH items are being changed.

BTW, the exhaust (assuming stock) can stay on.

chris