Cold Air Intake For Ford Explorer (1997-2000) with 4.0L V6 SOHC Engine Red

Optimized Induction for the 4.0L SOHC Cologne V6

Who It’s For: Engineered for 1997-2000 Ford Explorer owners running the 4.0L SOHC V6 powerplant who are tired of the stock sluggishness and restrictive factory air mapping.

The Symptom: The factory intake on the 4.0L SOHC engine is designed for cabin silence above all else. It uses a series of plastic baffles and accordion-style rubber tubing that creates significant air turbulence, effectively choking the engine’s throttle response. In a heavy chassis like the 2nd Gen Explorer, this results in a "dead" pedal feel during highway merging and a lack of low-end torque when trying to manage off-road inclines or towing loads.

The Engineering Fix: This system replaces the entire restrictive assembly with a mandrel-bent T304 aluminum intake pipe. By providing a smooth, consistent internal diameter, we facilitate laminar flow, reducing the drag coefficient of the air entering the throttle body. By relocating the intake point and using a high-flow cotton media filter, we increase the oxygen density in the combustion chamber, allowing the ECU to trim fuel for a more aggressive combustion cycle, resulting in sharper throttle snap and a deep, mechanical induction roar.

Why Mechanics Choose This Kit

• Enhanced Torque Curve: By reducing pumping losses, the 4.0L V6 can reach its peak torque faster, making the vehicle feel lighter during mid-range acceleration.
• Thermal Management: The T304 lightweight aluminum dissipates heat faster than stock plastic, helping to maintain lower intake air temperatures (IATs) during prolonged drives.
• Sustainable Performance: The included high-flow conical filter is fully washable and reusable, engineered to capture particulates without the massive pressure drop seen in thick paper OEM filters.

Technical Specifications

Compatibility & OEM Reference

Fits the Following Vehicles:

• 1997 Ford Explorer (XL, XLT, XLS, Sport, Limited, Eddie Bauer)
• 1998 Ford Explorer (XL, XLT, XLS, Sport, Limited, Eddie Bauer)
• 1999 Ford Explorer (XL, XLT, XLS, Sport, Limited, Eddie Bauer)
• 2000 Ford Explorer (XL, XLT, XLS, Sport, Limited, Eddie Bauer)

Interchange Part Numbers:

4.0L SOHC V6, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, T304-EXP-9700-RD

The Performance Promise

Buy with confidence. This kit is designed for a direct bolt-on installation using basic hand tools. As a pro-tip, we recommend disconnecting the battery during installation to allow the ECU to reset its long-term fuel trims and adapt to the increased volumetric efficiency immediately upon startup.