It can be done!! Since this comes up a lot, here's nike's Racing Beat High Flow intake with a Freedom Design Shock Tower Brace. This is the original version - the new one has a slightly different crossbar, but the same overall geometry. In both versions, the crossbar sits back a bit farther than in most others. These are sold by Goodwin & PBC. Note Goodwin claims "Does not fit play well with the Racing Beat Highflow Intake." Caveat emptor, maybe the design changed recently.
Dunno about NB's, but in NA/1.6's, the AFM sits farther back, and shouldnt fit, although I've read that it can be done.
OBTW - here's a pic of the last airbox mod that preceded installing the RB intake. All of the forward & outboard sides cut, and a jelly jar lid blocking the original snorkle hole. This probably gives as much benefit as the RB HiFlow. But for best sound, just cut two 2" - 2.5" holes in the outboard wall of the airbox, and one in the forward wall. Nice half-throttle 3000rpm resonance for acceleration, that quiets down at cruise.
Extreme close-up of primary OTM... nike,TachyTaco,OhBe1, have all been assimilated!
