I recently picked up a cheap 2002 civic SI for a decent price and the guy before me touched it quite a bit. Im coming from a background of chevys and v8s so i dont know what most of what im looking at. The guy said that this clamp has to be on here otherwise it surges on idle, i have seen pictures of engine bays where it isnt even there and i am just wondering what it is. Also i would like to know some of the other things i can see are missing.

Thank you for the help- Sasquatch

 

It looks as though, from the limited view in your photo, that the air injection valve is damaged and has been "repaired" using some type of grey adhesive... maybe even JBWeld. Replace this device and you can remove the vise-grips... assuming there is no issue with the IACV or throttle body itself.