Originally posted by HELMUT RONER
Remember that they are just SUVs and they didn't have high performance in mind when they put the 5.0 in the Explorers. Another factor is the low HP output while in the Explorers is the electronics. The programming is different and Ford has to keep the smog Nazis happy, too. In one of the Mustang magazines back in the late 90s there was a comparison of the Cobra, Exploroer, and GT-40 intakes. The Explorer flowed just slightly over the Cobra. Not enough to make or tell a difference. There is a bump in the upper portion of the GT-40 intake that can be hogged out, but not much can be done to the GT-40 upper due to it being so thin walled. The Cobra and the Explorers can be hogged out to surpass the GT-40 if done right. Extrude Honing was said to be the best method for these intakes in particular. Another bonus was NOT having the ACT sensor in the lower intake. Depending on the car's application, having the ACT creates a slight obstruction and/or turbulence in the #5 lower runner. If you come across one of these lowers your best bet is to relocate your ACT to the air inlet tubing before the throttle body. IST has the extension harness just for this application.
I just modded my own harness, mines right in front of the tb in the elbow itself