If preferred dealer GT Tech here in Phoenix AZ, use Sanderson Ford, Brian Naylor. Independent GT Tech Rich Robach also available when scheduled in advance.
Congrats and welcome to the forum. Met a guy at Peterson C&C a few years back with your same color stripe delete GT. I want to take that bumper car for a ride!
Yes, at the transaxle shifter cables are disconnected. The transaxle is removed from car in order to access the clutch and flywheel at the back of the motor.