Density Altitude. The elevation, humidity, pressure, and temperature can have an effect on your quarter mile times. You might be racing with a high positive DA causing you to be a little slower.
The Explorer uses 31 spline axles. So you cant just swap the pumpkin. I know a few guys that have done this though...they just also bought some Moser axles. Good performance upgrade!
EXACTLY!! This is what I did. I have a Steeda TriAx. Blew out my third gear synchro. Put the stock shifter back on...dealer gave me no hassle and fixed my transmission under warranty.
Sounds bad!...I'd take it to a transmission shop and let them look at it. I have a lot of whining and notchy noises from my transmission...most of it came when I put on an aftermarket shifter. Good luck...hopefully it is nothing serious!
I'm on my second transmission in my 02 GT, due to me messing up the 3rd gear synchro. I had the exact same problem. Normal driving was no problem at all going into third. High RPM or hard shifts would not go in. If its making a grinding noise its the synchro for sure.