Just an add-on thought - Some guys have installed it without removing the battery, and the fit can be off a bit. If you remove the battery and make sure you snug the rubber sleeve on to the manifold and intake, then install the battery snugged over to the right as far as you can skoosh it, it will not rub. In that case the intake can still oscillate with engine vibration due to the flex of the rubber sleeve, maybe that's the problem.

 

still seems like it should be made od sheetmetal/aluminum with a ceramic coating

 

the heat is probably cracking plus the stress on the battery... you guys can try a relocator