I am a rookie at pulling transverse mounted engines. anyone out there have a suggestion about whether it is easier to pull the engine away from the transmission from above or is it easier to drop the whole works (engine and tranny) from below in this model? Any cautions?

Depends on how your shop is set up. If you can lift the car high enough, out the bottom is real easy. If you can't lift the car, out the top isn't that hard either. There'* a few tricks, like the back engine to trans bolt is a pain. You can get that from the passenger side with a bunch of extensions. Comes right out then. I can get a engine out in a few hours.

Danithurs,
Thanks for the info...the difficult bolt input is especially appreciated.
I have an overhead engine "jack" that might be used to lift the front of the car in stead of the engine, its capacity is 2 tons.

From the bottom is easy. Remove the normal stuff, like wiring harness, fuel lines, and coolant lines. Support the bottom. Pop the ball joins on the lower control arms. Remove the sub frame bolts, and lift. Keep a close eye on things that may have been missed. Like trans cooler lines, power steering lines, wires, etc.

Thanks again for the hint...I begin working on it in 5 days when I finally get some time.