Intake Manifold

This hose was/is a pain! If I recall correctly, I think I decided I had to remove the timing cover to get better access to the hose so I could free up the lower intake...So I did (removed the timing cover and ALL that went along with it!)...(Foreshadowing...I was able to remove the VG33 Lower Intake without having to mess with the timing belt...shoulda gotten more creative with screwdrivers and PB Blaster! Coulda saved myself alot of time...Live and learn)

This shows how the injector harness is routed (I colored the individual injector feeds). You can see how the harness for the #4-#6 injectors runs between the #4 and #2 intake tubes.

Looks like this'll hafta do for my "Intake Off" pic...Flash, no leading-up pics...I musta been frustrated, annoyed, and trippin'...Frappin'!

VG30 lower intake cleaned...

The VG33 upper intake (plenum) removal was pretty straightforward (most of the stuff was already disconnected). Make sure any hoses and wiring that could interfere with its removal are taken care of. There are the annoying coolant hoses in the back that you may want a good, diverse set of long reach needle nose pliers for.

Lower intake is next...I chose to try and keep the wiring connected to the injectors/rail...Again, make sure all your connectors are free, you may hafta remove some brackets to get slack for the fuel hoses at the front and rear to clear the lower intake. Oh, and I (still) don't know how this grommet is attached, I shoulda lifted the engine back up, but I didn't think it was worth it and just ripped the loom out!

The thermostat housing is attached to the timing cover by this bolt, and this hose needs to be disconnected, but it's a tight fit...I slid the clamp down, sprayed some penetrant into the hose to free it up, then got it off the housing once I had the intake unbolted.

The knock sensor is all that remains connected to the harness at this point! Unbolt it, separate the connector, and that's it!

Intake Manifold Head surfaces cleaned...

Bracket "found" and installed!

Knock Sensor harness connected!

Heat tube surfaces cleaned, installed!

Best to change (at least, remove) that #6 plug now...

Upper radiator hose mounting surface cleaned, and installed (I'll get a pic up of the snout itself when I take a better one)

Lower intake installed...make sure you install the timing cover-to-water inlet housing bolt BEFORE you torque down the intake...yeah, i didn't (oops!), so i had to loosen everything, install that bolt, and "retorque" the manifold, hope it doesn't leak!

Injector rail installed! Yup, I reused the old (VG33) insulators!

Injectors connected...