holy crap why is this thing so hard to install? iv installed 3 different pipes and this one is by far the worst to install. doesn't even seem like it fits.

 

I've had the Hahn and ZZP, and where the Hahn was a bitch to install on the ZZP intercooler, ironically I never managed to install the ZZP. So I sold both and I'm back to stock now which works fine
You would think that a ZZP lower CP would fit a ZZP IC but I believe the problem is they modeled it EXACTLY after the stock pipe, and forgot that the stock one has a rubber elbow where it connects to the IC.
Another irony is that most ppl that have the ZZP lower CP installed seem to be running a different IC; it seems to work better with other brands. Go figure.

 

ya its pissing me off. the problem im having with this one over others is the coupler is longer. on the other charge pipe I was able to push the coupler down on the pipe far enough that it would slip onto the tb with a little effort, try with this one, not a fricken chance. and it doesn't matter how I do it, it just wont go on. zzp seriously need to design this. it shouldn't be so hard

 

Go ahead and take off the bumper cover. You'll be able to reach the TB clamp a little better.

 

Pwerks pipe is ten times worse to install. All pipes are just a bitch. Try putting them in with no couplers. I think that's what worked for me. Then install the couplers when you have it in place.

 

how can u do that lol I did get it in place with no coupler, then I put them on but the pipe refused to line up wth the tb when I had it connected to intercooler, I finally got it on, had to cut the coupler off a little, and even now with it all hooked up, its not lining up 100% its like 1/4 inch off to one side of the tb. so stupid. its that stupid 3" part before the tb, its there for the relocated stuff, all though not needed, and it screws everything up, with other cp I just slide the coupler down on the cp a bunch and lined it up and then pushed the coupler up onto the tb, with this u cant do that. but ya this thing seriously need to be redesigned to work better or someone screwed up welding mine and should have made it a little shorter.

 

I know what you saying. I had to reinstall their pipe when I did the intake TTR - well that's another topic been discussed before. Just like what you were saying, the darn pipe just doesn't line up with the TB this was after I had a muffler bent it a little. I could have it done at work which would have been a better result than the muffler shop - next time. I don't know if it was the Manifold or what but I just can't get it to line up still.
I got so pissed that I just cutter the elbow of the pipe and put my stock rubber 90* elbow on it with a clamp and that's is the only way I get it to line up because I can move the zzp with the stock elbow. I am not saying to do that but I have no other choice and I don't feel like taking the front bumper off just for that.
On the side note, I just got finished installing their big radiator. And that I too have to make some cutting to have it line up. Their welds were a little off on a couple of the taps but not too bad. That is why stock fit the best however it will not perform as good as aftermarket ones.

Good luck just be patient and maybe start fresh the next day unless you need your car tonight?

 

The only way for you to install them is take off hot side charge pipe then it'll go in smooth as a butter! Cause there's no way to put lower charge pipe under the car, that's why you gotta take off hot side charge pipes all of them off then you will have a room to put lower charge pipe in. That's what I did when I had OTTP charge pipes.

 

Our pipes are .25 larger diameter then everyone else's.... Definately makes it harder when getting them into a tightarea

 

I was about to drop 700 bucks on the ZZP upper/lower charge pipe with intercooler kit....thanks for saving me 700 bucks!! Think I'll just go upper now....!

 

You don't have to take anything off to put it in, but yes it's a bitch. I've done it a few times now, the easiest way is to connect it to the TB first then the IC. I also put a hump coupler on the IC which gives a little more room to work with.

 

this. except i just had someone yank on the intercooler while i tightened the clamps lol it is a bitch

 

Yeah I definitely recommend it as a two person job. One tugging other tightening. Lol

 

I'd still rather take off the whole hot side pipe to put in lower pipe, but that's just my preference.

 

Pull the bumper and ic.... Yes it's a lit more work then required but it makes the pipe a lot easier to get in

 

I cut the coupler that goes from pipe to throttle body. it was still a little bitch to get on but it finally went on, but like I said it does not line up, looking at it all installed its 1/4 inch off toward the drivers side. fricken pain in the ass. now the maf relocate plate leaks boost so I gotta fix that.

 

im not talking about putting it in, u don't have to take off the hot side pipe u can get it into position easier than any other pipe, its getting it connected to the intercooler than throttle body that's the issue, it doesn't wanna fit.

 

Lol what in the world would taking the hot side cp off do with anything? Its not even in the way. I took the front frumper off and wiggled the ic around until everything fell into place.

 

Ah, I gotcha!

 

This is what I do. Still kind of sucks but it was the best option I had

 

I had to remove the bumper cover and shift the IC over a few inches for my Hahn ( thanks Wert842 for the pipe and the advice ). I actually needed a little more then the the adjustments would allow so I clipped off the tab on the captured nut the IC bolts to, that allowed me the extra 1/2" I needed. I also had a problem with the MAP hitting into the AC line, which after wiggling around in frustration fell right into place. I'm scared to take it off again, lol.

I never tried mounting to the throttle body first, but that's where I would run into trouble, even with the stock one at times, so defiantly worth a try there. Hump couplers a great idea too. Great thread.

 

Stock cold side pipe FTW Yes it's crappy GM plastic but it fits and it's held up fine on my car - ZFR @ 26psi

 

So are there any other lower charge pipe/ intercooler combinations that actually fit well?

 

I don't think any of the venders actually modded the pipes so they fit better, I think they all just copy the stock pipe. that's what it seems anyway, cause all of them are a pain in the ass to get on, but I tell u one thing, this zzp pipe will not come off with a loose clamp, its basically pressure held in place. lol

 

Yeah toms not kidding. Its on there pretty good, even when I went to get my tune the guy checked the tightness of my hot side pipe and I said good luck reaching all the cold side without going under.. He's like I'm not worried about the cold side, I know how they fit Lmao.