djbartu

Due to a plastic outlet blowout, I'm replacing the factory intercooler with one from ZZP. While I have everything apart, I'll also replace the rest of the plastic piping.

What is the easiest way to access the upper clamp on the lower/cold pipe? Parts are on order from ZZP. It seems like a lot of you have done this, yet I can't find an answer by searching this forum.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Just for comedic effect:
Below is a replacement intercooler from Shop-Vac. I needed to move my car a few hundred yards so my Shop-Vac hose was the perfect fit. A little gorilla tape, and away I went.

RJ_RS_SS_350

Sounds like you've discovered that there is no easy way to get that clamp loose. Here is a link to my how-to remove intake manifold. Step #11 pertains to the clamp in question(get the flexible extention). It may also be helpful to perform step #5.
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...fold-ss-56181/

It's not much, but hope it helps at least a little.

v-twins

I just did that a couple of weeks ago but don't remember having issue loosening the clamp at the throttlebody.
Removing the plastic shroud over the radiator helps, as well as removing the upper IC pipe to have side access.
The hardest was pulling the rubber pipe free from the throttlebody, but if you are under the car and have a good grip of it, you should be fine, just free it up with a screwdriver as much as you can from the throttlebody

Cat Man HHR

To help with the removal of the silicon hose buy a cotter pin puller like this:

Husky 4 in. Round Shaft Standard Cotter Pin Extractor Screwdriver with Butyrate Handle-20117768 - The Home Depot

Once the T bolt or hose clamp is loose put the point end in between the hose and the connection and pull/move it a round using some WD40 as a lubricant.
A lot will break free and help with the hose coming off.

843de

OK, slightly Off Topic, but who wants to bet me that some Honda guy will see that "Totally Cool Shop-Vac® Intercooler" here, fit it up to a Civic with an e-Bay "Electric Turbo Kit"...and suddenly see 400HP on a chassis dyno...when the V-TEC kicks in yo!