If everything isn't super rusty you can do it. I can put a turbo on the bench in 40 minutes without pulling the head. In the next couple of days I will be stabbing the turbo from my wife's car right through where you are most likely looking. It's best with the throttle body removed. In the last year I've done 3 turbo swaps without removing the head. One draw through, the others, blow through.
You may have a TIII, so I can't speak from experience on that one.

 

On the 8v cars it's entirely possible like DartGTS340 said. All depends on how rusty the bolts are and how bendy your hands are. If any of the bolts fight you or round off, you're pulling the head. Also, you're probably going to break or damage the feed and coolant lines if they are original, so plan to get a new set. Braided SS ones are fantastic, FYI. I can't imagine it'll be that much harder on a 16v car. But I don't have one to play with so...

 

Yeah! The oil and coolant lines can be darn near impossible to get loose after so many years. The best way to get them loose is first to have a good flare fitting tool that fits, then heat them with a torch and they will easily turn. I mean you have to get them hot. The oil line is the one that gives the most trouble. The coolant line is large enough that IF you can get the proper wrench on it, it will typically loosen w/o too much difficulty, but you'll need a good angle on them both and that can and often is the trouble with the head on the car.

 

A t3 setup the turbo will practically fall out once the bolts are loose.

 

Good to know! :thumb:

 

Yah it's a tiii and looks way simpler than an 8v with the intake being in front and all the fittings are practically new. Was reffering to pulling it up n out and not dropping down but either way looks like everything has easy access. Just thinking ahead once i get tired of the s70 in it now.

 

Yup pretty easy. I just did a holset swap with the head on. Little challenging if you keep the factory studs. Bolts would be much easier.