How to remove the starter?

ScampMike said
so the plan is to swap out the starter now - then have the exhaust done..

Yes ... that is the plan.

ScampMike said
... beleive it or not - if everything is still original, that big ol' chunk-o-poop will come out without taking anything apart - I'm not saying it'll be easy - but it will come out

I'm *VERY* concerned about damaging the transmission cooler lines. They look ready-positioned to receive damage.