Any time I am working in that area I remove the ECUs and box; gives you a lot more room and easier to see what you're doing. Once that's out just slide out the cooling duct that goes toward the firewall too. Just takes a minute as it's all held together with spring snaps.
Another trick for your torx drive on the pulleys; as I remember not enough room to actually get a ratchet onto a 3/8" drive torx bit, so grab it with large vise-grip pliers and then wedge a large screwdriver/prybar against the frame to keep the torx bit drive from popping out (sorry I don't have a pic) of the bolt head as you un-screw it.
Once you do get the H2O pump out of there, you'll need to get in there and carefully scrape off the old gasket off. Still going to be a PITA but much easier w/o the ECU box and duct out of the way; gives you lots more elbow room.
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