Remove front clip and pull motor?

[TriX5]

My 4.4i is approaching 125k miles and I think the timing chain guides should be replaced. I also have to change the valve cover gaskets.

There is some other stuff that needs doing and I am wondering if I could pull the motor with the transmission and transfer case attached by removing the front clip and releasing the sub frame. Pretty much like XO member "Stunt" did in page 11 of the thread linked below.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ce-all-11.html

However, I don't have the luxury of a lift. The whole assembly (motor, AT, TC & sub-frame) would have to come out toward the front of the car. I can probably raise the car 8" - 10" before I start work so that there is a bit of play for the assembly to go down before coming out forward.

I had the AT out before and splitting the motor from the AT is a bear (w/o a lift). I don't have enough overhead space to lift the motor upward out of the engine bay. It seems possible to take the whole unit out in one go, sub-frame, front drive axles, hubs and all by going forward. I am wondering in particular if the engine will clear the square plates on the front of the chassis coming out forward??

Any thoughts on the geometrical challenge faced here would be appreciated.