how much would you say id need to spend to get a quality new transmission for my 1997 EX 5spd. ive seen them between $350 and $1000. also with not having a lift is there any possibility of replacing it myself?

I would like to know this as well except for a 99 ex auto

well im having mine rebuilt with performance parts and a shift kit for 1400 bux here in elburn, illinois. And without a lift and other tools, I can easily say you cant do it yourself.

can i drop a prelude 5 sp trans w/ sportshift into a civic by any very rare and odd chance?

i can safely say that you can in fact drop a tranny without a lift. i did it with a floor jack and two jack stands and almost no problems. sure it's kinda a bitch to get the tranny to line up right at an angle, but it's totally possible. also, i used an engine hoist attached to the ceiling in my garage to lift the engine ever so slightly... just get the front of the car on stands as high as you can (i had to use blocks of wood on top of the stands) and lift the transmission in with the floor jack. i helped to have a friend giude it while i raised it up. i mean, sure.. it woulda been great to have a lift but what are ya gonna do.. right. :naughty:

I swapped my auto for a 5 spd without a lift. It is difficult to get everything to line up. I only used one floor jack.