2001 2.4 motor swap

ok i know i asked before, about a 2.4 to a 3.4 swap, but now i have found a donor car with a 2.4 in it....can i pull the engine out of the car through the hood, or do i have to drop the cradle....i am taking off the manual transmission from the donor car and installing my automatic transmission on the newer motor.... but i do need to know if i have to drop the cradle.....would be nice if i didnt have to use a hoist to lift the body off the cradle

better late then never, but i did a 2.4 swap about a year ago and I pulled the engine out the top. I also think i pulled it with the tranny attached. But i put it back in tranny first then motor second.

well gonna do it, found my donor car with the 2.4...170000kms....it is pretty difficult to find a manual for the alero anywhere....so any tips or hints would be welcomed...also the newer motor has a maunal transmission, will i need the flywheel from the blown motor to use my auto transmission i already have?