I think others have pulled the head with the manifolds attached, but that would not be my choice. The added weight of the manifolds and lack of maneuverability, especially going back in, would lead me to pull the manifolds.

I would not want to risk damaging the head gasket sealing surface because an exhaust manifold was bumping into something on the way down that causing me to lose a little control of the head and gouge the head surface on something.

You're almost there - pulling the plate and sway bar should take 20 minutes tops. Although for the sway bar end links, you'll need an 18mm (I think, might be 16) thin open ended wrench to hold the ball joint shaft from spinning while you take the nut off. They can be had for cheap on ebay as 'thin bicycle wrenches'.

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2012 xDrive35d
2001 BMW X5 3.0i 5MT
and two 1987 Corvettes - Callaway Twin Turbo and Guldstrand Grand Sport 80
Block Tester