What does this mean?

[Slow95gst]

Upper Intercooler (IC) Pipe

Another option offered by Mac Crossett is to replace the restrictive portion of the piping with 2" inner diameter radiator hose. This mod seems to work just as well as the commercial products and is MUCH CHEAPER ($15 vs. $250); all be it without the sparkle of polished stainless steel. It also works real well with a 3000gt BOV which requires no adapter like the 1g BOV and works just as well (for less money too).

Where is the "restrictive portion?" I see people taking their bumpers off to put a new upper intercooler pipe on, etc...

Which part is he implying to change?

Seems like a good idea...

 

[DSM_PWR]

The entire stock intercooler piping is restrictive...
From the cheap plastic to the stretchable material used..

Just buy an entire intercooler pipe kit from ebay for $70 and change all your pipes to Hard Pipes
In reallity a pipe is a pipe..
Theres no special voodoo magic inside them that add more power than the next

 

[enos1010321]

Just make sure that the piping has flared ends and T-Clamps. Nothing like going full boost and blowing off a pipe. My friend got a super cheap set (didn't have either) and it seemed like every time we pulled away from a stop light BOOM Cough cough..... Get the wrench.....

 

[96ETT]

I can think of 2 restrictive portions in the stock intercooler piping system. The first is that retarded black air ox behind the passenger foglight area, and the second is right under the fusebox where the piping looks like the plastic got smashed before it fully cured. Both of those should be replaced asap.

 

[Defiant]

The entire stock intercooler piping is restrictive...

Yeh. Fortunately, there's a pump that forces air through it.
If you happen to have a stock intake at this late point in the game, there's a flattened, bent section of piping that comes up from the intercooler, under the fuse box. Some regard it as a restriction, and early-on, such things as PVC replacements were devised by DSM owners. And, as soon as anyone thinks up an easy, cheap mod, someone else thinks they can make money off the idea.
Upper IC pipe not-so-V FAQ