Could you send me some pictures of that 'snorkle splice.' I couldn't really follow what your did, but I know the part you refer to as the hot air inlet. The big bulky sphere on the top the TB just looks outdated & inefficient. I did flip the lid in the past, but with the 1" spacer, the hood will not close with a flipped lid.

1991 Trooper LS / (rebuilt) 2.8 GM
free flow exhaust