I'm going to replace a 2.4l in a 97 sunfire with another 2.4l and was wonding how hard it is todo.What would be the best way to get the engine out.Do you pull it out throw the top or drop it out the bottom.All help is very appriecated.

probably better off dropping the engine and tranny out the bottom as a unit. usually better to just unbolt everything, undo the harness and find a way to raise the car off of it.

I've done this for my 2000 model 2.4 about 3 times; I pulled it out from the top. You don't have to but you can get a little more room to lift it out by removing the hood. Get an engine hoist and if possible to floor jacks. Undo all the wires and unbolt the ac compressor if equiped. Unbolt the fuel rail, unless something is wrong with it it will probably be used on the new engine. Leaving it in the car makes it easier. Unconnect the power steering lines from the pump. Then remove the heater core lines from the back of the engine and the colling line from the bottom. Also unbolt the metal cooling line from the back of the engine where the thermostat is at. Then finally unbolt the exhaust pipe ( this one can be fun, the bolts are usually rusted in there. ) Hook up the hoist to support the engine and put one or more jacks under the trany, be sure to place them where you won't bend the trany pan. Start unbolting the trany from the engine at the bell housing including the starter and fly wheel bolts. Then unbolt the motor mount. Its a very tight fit, but you work the engine to the left to separate it from the trany. You will use the jacks to angle the trany and the hoist to lift the engine slowly rocking it back and forth while lifting it and adjusting the trany to get it separated and out of the hole. It takes a little work just don't pinch your fingers.
Install is the reverse.

I foregot to mention that it's an automatic, so it's going to be thateasy.