C&L Performance

They should take anything back within 30 days no matter what the complaint. I would simply ask them if they would take it back. Ask them for a RMA # (Return Material Authorization).

take the strut tower brace off and then put the inlet tube in? ... then put the brace back on.

Wow dude...sounds like a good isea, but if his is on like mine, it is never comming off. Those things are a pain in the ass. It would take me 4-5 hours to remove and put back on OR drop the springs.

After much dinking around, I finally got my C&L inlet tube to fit WITH my stock tower brace. And I think my situation was worse than yours -- I have a roots blower that raises the TB location. Of course, I had to take the brace off first to make the fit first. Here's 2 things that I did to make it work:

1) That rubber collar + rubber insert can work to your advantage. Put that rubber insert on the throttle body, but don't necessarily slide the pipe-collar all the way up onto that rubber insert (you don't need to, and those clamps should make sure you have a good seal on at the TB).

2) At the filter-end (I have an open K&N filter) I have a bracket that supports that end of the pipe against the engine compartment. The bracket location is important -- if it's too low, the C&L pipe hits my valve cover. If it's too high, the K&N hits the hood.

The fit is tight, but nothing hits even on bumpy roads or engine-torque twist. I have maybe 1/8 to 1/4" of clearance at the tower brace and valve cover. Note that if the C&L tube touches the tower brace, you'll get wicked engine noise and vibration in the passenger compartment. Pics are included -- good luck!