gt-40p and thermactor drilling...How?

[Jeff Chambers]

The P's aren't drilled from the factory. The EGR passage is probably a remnant of the original design and casting molds, but since the later model Explorers didn't use the thermactor passage, Ford simply cut one of the last production processes which was drilling of the crossover passage as a means of reducing cost. The Explorers took the injected the air directly into the exhaust manifold instead of through this thermactor passage.

Personally, I wouldn't drill it even if I lived in CA. If the smog police want to see the cross-over in place, then just simply bolt it to the back of the heads.