My limiter plates didn't wanna just pry loose. I tried a couple different pry bars up to the biggest one I have. Maybe I wasn't getting it in the magic spot but I started to worry it was gonna tear up the bushing it was stretching the center so much. Drilling took 5 minutes and the bits are like $8 so not a big deal. Just go slow the gas tank is back there after all
You can remove the lower shock bolt instead of the upper ones. The issue there is that to re-tighten it the car has to be at ride height and suspension loaded with the weight of the car to get it properly torqued. Those bolts are hard to get to with the tires on and the car on the ground so the top shock bolts are how most everyone does it.
Whatever you do, don't follow BMR's instructions. They have you take half the car apart.