Spark Plugs

Is there a less painful way to get to plugs 1, 3, & 5 on a 3.1? This will be the second set I've put in. Using several universals along with a piece of fuel line to help get them started, the last time the back three took about 45 minutes of contortion. Even with the plug pliers the boots themselves feel like you're tearing them before they come off. Can the back heat shield (over the exhaust manifold) be removed without too much pain? That would help alot. I cuss everytime I work on a transverse mounted engine.

I dont know how the engine in the Malibu is held in there but on my Lumina's with a 3.1 I take the top motor mounts out and use a come-along and a tree to roll the engine forward. Makes the job much easier and faster.