That is a possibility. I would rather just buy and install a new and better designed unit. All i need is to know from other owners which other units are cai only.^^ Can you not re-install the OEM until you find another?
Peter
Another perspective:
Okay, here is the new deal. Since the mdesign air inlet broke, and the company refuses to honor a replacement i had to remove it. It sounded awesome. Hellofagrowel! But it sucked hot air. If I'm not mistaken the kn fipk sucks hot air too. For me, hot air baaad. I butchered the stock airbox, trimmed away any rib or restrictive edgs n corner, put my old high flow filter back in and re installed it. Seat of the pants says the X now pulls harder, shifts more consistently and is super smoothe with the LMS tune.. It's just too damn quiet. I have removed my foreward resonator and thought the growl i had was the exhaust. Nope.I have a K&N intake on my 2015 XLT. The main reason I got it was because I don't like the stock muted engine, and I think it met my expectations pretty well. The engine has a deep growl when accelerating, without any type of drone. If that's what you like I'd recommend it. If you're looking for some real performance however, you're gonna need a tune. The sound is pretty nice, I've gotten a surprising amount of compliments, and most people think its a V8 until I tell them otherwise
Take a look at my idea for an OEM airbox based cold air intake here: https://www.explorerforum.com/forum...wap-air-intake-alignment.460538/#post-3614134
I am basing my idea on old school factory cold air intake systems used on 60's era muscle cars. Just an idea until I set up for a tune.
Check out aFe’s web site, they have a cai for the 11-18 Ex Sport that uses the Ex’s factory lower air box so you still get the cold air coming from the air inlet. The system is called the Magnum Force Stage 2 Pro 5R CAI System #54-12622. I have the version for the XLT 3.5 n/a with the snap on cover. It is very loud, the OEM lower air box seems to amplify the sound. Good luck with whatever you go with.
Just yanked the mdesign and installed the new air raid cai. It is a true cai with a big box (similar to stock and uses stock mount) and scoop that connects to the grill like stock. Better driveability in hot weather with a nice mooooaaann when kicked. Way glad i did it.