Plastic Cold Side Pipe: Is it a matter of "if" or "when" it explodes?

[TorqueMaven]

I’ve heard the factory plastic cold side intercooler pipe on the 2011-2016 6.7L is a ticking time bomb, especially under boost while towing. Is it worth upgrading to a silicon/metal pipe now, or should I just wait until it leaves me on the side of the road?

 

[RigRunner]

It’s definitely a "when." The plastic gets brittle with heat cycles. Mine popped while pulling a 5th wheel up a grade—sounded like a gunshot and instant loss of power.