and replaced and gotten running

nope

I have this desire to switch out a perfectly good automatic tranny for a 5 spd ($150 on cl) in the Saab

It's not the parts, it's the labor. Price is not cost.

I'm thining about being the labor - trying to figure out a workspace

I did it with my dad. But that was a long time ago.

Did it twice. Always a bucket of bolts left over... which always puzzles me.