CTR and K&N drop in air filter

Hey guys! I just installed a K&N drop in air filter on my 2018 CTR and wanted to give you my honest opinion. The only extra I am running is KTuner Stage 1. Here in PA today it was in the low 60s so it was a fairly cool day here. After installing the car sounded a little bit meatier and had a deeper tone but wasn't substantial. Once driving, it was a little bit more punchy in the lower gears. Shifting near red line you could hear the blow off valve but was only at high RPM. Overall I am happy with it for a 50 dollar upgrade.
I changed out my stock filter that had less than 2500 miles and my filter was very clean with the exception for a few bugs. I must have went through a lady bug nest because I had close to 10 of them trapped in there.
I don't expect to have any issues but if I do I will provide feedback. The only thing that I did was wipe off any excess oil on the new filter because I heard a few report that it gunked up their MAF but I also think that they might have over oiled.
I hope this helps someone who was thinking of doing the same thing I did.

Thanks for the honest review. What made you choose K&N over the AEM drop in filter? Just wondering since the AEM is cheaper and non-oiled.

Kase Zome said:

Thanks for the honest review. What made you choose K&N over the AEM drop in filter? Just wondering since the AEM is cheaper and non-oiled.

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Just did some research. Oiled filters have more open cotton media so therefore they flow better than dry air filters. People complain a lot about the oil messing up their MAF because they apply too much oil when it comes to maintenance. I say if you’re going to stick to dry air filters, the OEM is fine. Otherwise get K&N or an aftermarket intake.

the AEM is made by K&N too now. the AEM filter has a surprising amount of turbo noises and bpv noises when driving normally now

Roadcone said:

the AEM is made by K&N too now. the AEM filter has a surprising amount of turbo noises and bpv noises when driving normally now

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You're saying that the drop in panel AEM filter has a surprising amount of turbo noises and bpv noises? Is that what you're running?

Thanks.

peter_009 said:

Just did some research. Oiled filters have more open cotton media so therefore they flow better than dry air filters. People complain a lot about the oil messing up their MAF because they apply too much oil when it comes to maintenance. I say if you’re going to stick to dry air filters, the OEM is fine. Otherwise get K&N or an aftermarket intake.

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I am not sure if this is myth or truth. I owned a 87 Buick Turbo T and always used K&N. Never had a MAF issue in that car.

I have been using a K&N for 15k now and not one issue.

Kase Zome said:

Thanks for the honest review. What made you choose K&N over the AEM drop in filter? Just wondering since the AEM is cheaper and non-oiled.

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I actually have been talking to Vivid Racing about the Eventuri Intake and had them on dial and last moment decided 1300 bucks was a lot of money to spend on something that wasn't going to do a lot other than sound. It's hard to tell who which is the best filter these days but I was looking for a filter that provided some additional engine noises and most of my research stated that the K/N did a good job with that. I was also happy that I had a little bit of low end torque as well. I still might go with an intake but for now I am happy with my decision as it was a good 50 dollar upgrade.
Everyone seems to have an opinion with an oiled vs dry filter these days. I personally have never had an issue with either with my other cars I think people that had problems over oiled their filter creating issues with there MAF.
If you want a cheap little upgrade then I would recommend getting the filter. The changes are minor but it's enough to put a smile on my face.
I still might get an intake at some point. I am waiting to see what the new PRL intake does and if there is heat soak. The Eventuri is still high on my list as it just looks beautiful in the engine bay. My CTR is a pleasure driver so it has never seen rain and is only driven in good weather so my filter will most likely never see the debris that daily drivers do.
I hope some of my info was helpful. When I was researching I found only dribs and drabs, so I tried to put all the pieces together in one thread.
Thanks
Jim

Here is a short video I need the car with the hood closed.

I spent money on 3 bolt ons DP, 3inchExhaust.IC. And lighter race wheels and Hood with 6 vents. Just thought the factory CAI was good enough. Then of course dropped in K&N filter. And it sounds great. Sounds like a bLow off valve and add the stage 1 tune with DP. ... Cheap mod for less than 9 HP (K&N filter) an expensive aftermarket CAI not for me im good with honda's on this one..

I have a K&N. It’s my only mod for power so far. No issues or complaints.

jcp227 said:

Here is a short video I need the car with the hood closed.

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Is that screen from your k tuner

Brentp88 said:

Is that screen from your k tuner

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Yup that is the Tuner View on my head unit. My only complaint with it is it likes to lock up when my phone is connected. I might try to determine it reinstall and see if that helps .

jcp227 said:

Hey guys! I just installed a K&N drop in air filter on my 2018 CTR and wanted to give you my honest opinion. The only extra I am running is KTuner Stage 1. Here in PA today it was in the low 60s so it was a fairly cool day here. After installing the car sounded a little bit meatier and had a deeper tone but wasn't substantial. Once driving, it was a little bit more punchy in the lower gears. Shifting near red line you could hear the blow off valve but was only at high RPM. Overall I am happy with it for a 50 dollar upgrade.
I changed out my stock filter that had less than 2500 miles and my filter was very clean with the exception for a few bugs. I must have went through a lady bug nest because I had close to 10 of them trapped in there.
I don't expect to have any issues but if I do I will provide feedback. The only thing that I did was wipe off any excess oil on the new filter because I heard a few report that it gunked up their MAF but I also think that they might have over oiled.
I hope this helps someone who was thinking of doing the same thing I did.

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Wait till temps climb up. It will be louder.

I've had the K&N panel filter on my FK2R (i'm UK) since it's it first came available a few years ago. not a single problem. daily driver and a few track days.
I'm a non beleiver about over-oiling with on K&N/cotton. fwiw K&N have a statement on claims on over-oiling: https://www.knfilters.com/MAF/massair.htm.
I've used various induction, panel, and carb filters in over the years and no problems with any.
for £50, well worth swapping it out. hard to justify an induction kit at £1000+ over panel filter.

I've had the k&n and now have the aem dry panel. As far as noise, I think they were about the same. As far as power, I don't think I felt a difference between the two and I don't feel a difference between either and the stock (not saying there isn't a difference I might not be sensitive enough to tell) but I like the noise. I swapped the k&n because I was worried about the oil but the aem actually felt oily so who knows.