Has anyone removed the motor? That thing is stuffed in there!

I would prefer to remove just the motor since I don’t want to use the slush box (even if it wasn’t toast) and be able to easily get the rest of the car out of here as soon as possible.

A few questions:
Are there just two bolts holding the starter on. I got those out and can’t find any other, but it won’t budge.

I’m only seeing one lifting point on the motor, is that it?

Where is the best place the disconnect fuel lines?

Is this a dowel pin, or is the bolt broken?

That motor is sitting on a cradle very much like the Fiero. I would remove it as a whole from the bottom as it would be much easier.

The starter only has 2 bolts, but there there are also 2 dowel pins as well. Some gentle prying up the starter will come loose.

The LS4 doesn't have a bolt in that hole, just the dowel pin.

The engine/transmission are intended to drop out the bottom with the cradle (just like the Fiero). You probably can get it out the top, but it will be a lot more work in tight spaces. Removing the lowest transmission bellhousing on the rear and the passenger transmission support bracket from the engine/transmission isn't going to be easy. The rear exhaust manifold might need to come off as well.

as others have said, you drop it out from the bottom. I did one in the junkyard last year. Remove as much of the wire harness as you can, should be able to get it all after some wrenching. Remove the nuts for the motor mounts, the trans mounts, remove the 6 nuts (three per side) for the struts then the 4 bolts holding the cradle. lower it onto a dolly and pull it out. after you have the whole thing out, separate the trans from the motor if all you want is the motor.