why are they all extremely long unless you want to spend $80 on a braided one
I bought a TCI fill/dipstick tube for a th350 and it runs like 5 inches over the valve cover almost as high as the air cleaner
any options on better fitting

 

The "universal" replacement dipsticks tend to be a length more appropriate for trucks. You might try picking a random car application and seeing if the OEM dipstick is still available at the dealer.

 

I have had the same problem. I bought a TH350 out of a truck, which the tube is too long for the camaro. I bought a chrome tube that was the right lenght, but would bend to easy and not fit well.

I placed both tubes side by side and marked the longer one. I then cut the longer one and used the dip stick from the shorter chrome one. Everything worked out fine except for a leak. The factory truck one and the chrome one have the o-ring. I and searching for one that has a boot type seal. These work better and are not prone to leaks.

If we could fined one that has the boot and the correct length, then the part number should be made a sticky.