having done the mounts i can tell you removing the a/c compressor wont help a bit. removing the exhaust manifold would help , but wait! you have to remove the motor mount to get to the manifold!! let him do it or not you should look into how much he really knows about these cars. btw you really should do both mounts at the same time. if the drivers side is gone the pass isnt far behind. and if he thinks the drivers side is tough he will want to pull the motor for the pass side!