It was an unexpected obstacle. If a guy is gonna block the filter (Not sure that's possible), he might as well just run the remote filter kit. I think it's actually cheaper than the 90.
Not too later for you to swap to an HC water pump though. :poke:
I really do think it would bolt on and line up. But I don't know what I don't know. So you might need to take the bullet for the rest of us and try it out.