well, i tried to fit the hose without the boot, the gap is too big for me to feel comfortable that it won't pinch and lead to an intake leak. i went to my local NAPA store, only to discover they recently stopped carrying Spectre intake stuff, i was hoping to find a boot of some sort to use as a spacer/bushing between the SLP hose and the TB. the counter man remembered seeing some stuff in a box in the box and we went to see, luckily it was a 3" to 2 1/2" reducer!!! fit inside the SLP hose snugggly. only cost $7.00!!
i slipped it onto the TB and cut off the extra part;
it was a bit tricky to get the hose and all to slide together, i started with the adapter slightly on the edge of the TB, then started the SLP hose over the edge of the adapter, then slid the SLP tube into the hose, and slid it all together, a mm at a time, until it was all nice and snug. works beautifully, no leaks for damn sure, and didn't have to cut up the stock tube!!
has a nice intake "noise" now!!