Hey guys I'm looking at buying a transmission for my 94 850 turbo and replacing it myself in the garage myself. While a bit rusty, i'm a trained tech so no issues there. but I'm not experienced with this car yet.

Is it possible to drop the trans out without removing the engine (with an engine cradle holding the engine up of course) and fit the new one in, with the car on jack stands alone?

 

Yes. Here's a thread with a link to a detailed how-to. There's also a parts list:

http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/for...8d35901095ac1c

 

It's no different than other fwd car. Remove the drive axles, disconect basically eveything on the left hand side, use a beam to hold the engine, loosen the subframe on the right, disconect it on the left. Drop the tranny down by lowering the subframe on the left until you can clear the bulkhead and unbolt it.