+1 on the suggestion for leaving the injection harness with the car. Excellent advice.

Grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence.

Lube the heck out of the harness at the firewall and poke it through from the inside of the car while somebody pulls outside.

Otoh maybe pull the harness off the motor for removal, but put it back on before putting the motor back in. Same for all the vacuum lines etc, much easier on an engine stand.

Yes, it may be easier that way if your harness is not hard and unflexable, for some reason mine was hard and would crack at every twist.

Could always invest in a new harness

The worst cracking etc with be the part actually on the engine, ie what you plan to remove and put back on. I was trying to remember the reason I was told not to pull off the engine harness and to pull it through the firewall, and that is actually what it was, avoiding damage to worst shape wires on the motor.

Might be NLA from Porsche, last one I recall was $1100 or so, but I don't recall which model year and it varies a LOT.

If we are talking wiring harness 928 Motorsports just delivered for 660.00 on my 83

For a 32v it's almost 900.00 shipped. I had to wait a month for mine but the crusty wiring on the engine is no longer an issue.

That is the front harness, much easier to remove it at the 14 pin, but replacing isn't a bad idea either at this age, but the fuel injection harness that goes through the firewall is a MUCH more expensive item and not sold by any vendor as far as I know except for Porsche.

Will be selling a complete 87 engine, ecus, both harness (excellent to near mint condition) after the new year.