I have a 3.4L 2003 and am trying to change out the thermostat. The motor runs hot.

I have read the write-ups on here. One about revoing the exhaust crossover heat shield and the crossover pipe. And the other about removing the throttle body to be able to access the lower bolt on the thermostat housing.

Im trying to remove the crossover. I removed the four bolts that hold the heat shield but cant get the heat shield to come off because there is a pipe above it that runs from the top of the water pump around the side of the motor and there is no clearance to remove the heat shield.

Is it ok to take that black pipe off there are two bolts and like four hoses that come off this pipe. One bolt is on top of the water pump and the other is under the throttle body.

Can anyone help me?
Im not able to drive my car...