I don't have any experience working with transmissions, and I don't have access to a lift. It wasn't easy to find a mechanic that will take on the job. If you want to do a swap like this and cannot do it yourself, your best bet is indie Mexican mechanics! So far, only the Mexican mechanics I talked to would say it's doable. These shops are one man, cash only, and they do not show up as auto repair shops on GMaps. They don't even have names. The first guy that gave me the sky high quote was the brother of the (also Mexican) mechanic I usually work with - and that shop is also a shady cash-only garage, but he does some amazing jobs. The second shop - the one I have decided to work with for this swap, I met the guy at an auto parts shop.
My mechanic appears very confident about the programming part. I have absolutely no clue how that thing works. Please share any information you guys might have on that!