From appearances, it looks like the engine has to be pulled out from the bottom side of the car. Can this engine be swapped fairly easily from the top or would I need to take it to a shop? I'd be grateful for any help and/or advice.

 

it can come out the top but with a lot of difficulty. it can come out the bottom with the trans but also with a lot of difficulty. there's no 'fairly easy' with this job either way. you'll need a lot of tools, cherry picker, a shop manual and lots of patience

 

yes it can come out either way , out the bottoms easier if you have a lift ... no lift out the top