Manual trans swaps: Cheapest vs Easiest vs Best Performing vs Best Driving Experience

Does anyone have direct experience putting a TKO 5 speed into an a-body with a factory bench seat?

From their installation manual, it looks close, too close to call from a pic, and I'm no giant so putting the seat back in another zip code isn't an option. Plus, I have rear seat passengers at times and I don't want their kneecaps to be my lumbar support.