Has anybody had any issues with their JCW Strut Tower Brace and the Alta CAI?

I just installed my Alta Cold Air Intake last night. I followed the instructions found here:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=15124

The instructions that came with the CAI didn't make much sense, but the above were pretty much spot on and the photos helped. I had to make a few deviations from the instructions but they were pretty easy to figure out and it installed no problem.

When I went to reinstall my John Cooper Works Strut Tower Brace, I found that it didn't fit. It was a very close fit with the Factory Air Intake. It definitely didn't fit with the Alta CAI. The problem was the heat sheild. There were no clearance issues with the heat shield next to the ECU. The heat shield on the other side is a problem. By about a 1/4 inch to a 1/2 inch.

The fix was quite easy. Here's what I did.

1. Remove the seal on the heat shield.
2. Place the Strut Tower Brace in place.
3. Marked the top of the heat shield on both sides of the brace
4. Removed the brace
5. Take a metal cutter and cut 1 inch deep vertical cuts on those marks.
6. With pliers, bend the heat shield down between the two cuts.
7. Replace the seal on the heat shield.
8. Install the Strut Tower Brace.

The results of the new intake? Wonderful. I love the sound it makes. I love the performance gain. It makes such a wonderful sound that when I punch it, I have a wide smile on my face. However, if I just drive normally it sounds like the normal intake which is just as cool.

 

Image Added. Anybody else have this issue with their Alta and a Strut Tower Brace?

 

I consider this a custom fit rather than an installation issue per se. It sounds like we both did a similar thing - I cut the rubber molding directly beneath the bar and created a very slight notch in my metal CAI shroud to accomodate my M7 STB. Also, my STB did not push the bonnet up.

 

I have the helix CAI with the M7 bar and although I didn't have to, I trimmed the rubber seal of the CAI where the bar crossed over. Great fit and bonnet is not pushed up.