my fuel filter is mounted where you say, infront of the drivers side strut tower.
im about to find out if thats where they are normally when i fit a stock jdm airbox, if it clashes i'll know thats not where its ment to be, ask jimmee1990 he has a jdm notchback thats stock
jdm fuel tanks have the pump mounted in the tank with a solid line running to the front of the car leading up to the filter before going to the fuel rail i believe, 4ac's have a mechanical fuel pump that operates via the cam