Noob question 727 really low shift points

A couple of questions I wanted to ask, when installing this cable, would it be worth it to try and remove the shifter to have better access to the pump linkage? Would it even be more access?

On a different topic, I'm going to be tackling the lower control arm bushings today as well which means popping the tortion bars. Since this was a slant 6 car originally, would it be worth upgrading the tortion bars since it's a heavier motor? Or are the bars over engineered enough that they can handle any motor?