Have an R2C intake on my '11 G37, the filters are starting to dry rot (not as bad as other pics Ive seen, but still not great).

I see R2C themselves are out of business, and if I can find the exact filters they are fairly expensive....in the interest of not wasting $$$ on the same result, has anyone tried non-R2C filters instead?

I *think* AEM and K&N make universals that are close. Curious if anyone has done it and if they have the part number handy.

Thanks!

-Chris

 

I'd like to see alternatives to sizing specs too. My Black Hex filters are getting old... no rot or anything, and they *look* fine, but they're old. And I really want to keep using my R2C intake kit, because the dark chrome finish is very appealing.

subbed

 

These are the specs from their website:

Part Number Outlet Bottom Dia. Top Dia. Media Height Flange Height
R2C-CO10509 2-1/2" 6" 4-1/2" 5-1/2" 1.31"

Ive found pretty close in AEM. None of them match exactly but they are at least close:

21-2011dk
21-201bf-h
21-201d-hk
21-201d-xk
21-201dk

Looking at $50-80 per filter depending on which model.
I noticed someone sold an R2C on here with non-R2C filters, but it was a long time ago and they didnt mention exactly what filters they used.

 

Good research. This AEM looks about right: 21-201d-hk

https://www.autoanything.com/air-fil...waAqHpEALw_wcB

Features:

• Part #: 21-201D-HK
• Part Size: 2.5" Flange
• Style: 6" Base, 5.125" Top, 5.063" Height
• Flange: 2.5in.
• Base: 6in.
• Top: 5.125in.
• Height: 5.063in.

But I'd like to see the flange area compared to the R2C filter. You would think its designed with a groove for a typical clamp, but I'd like to see it.

You know, this might seem silly, but I really like the looks of the red filter material. Years ago, on a previous car, I had an Apex-i filter that was deep red like this, and I really liked it.

 

Looks like they have a spot for the clamp.

 

Visually, the Black Hex filters seem more harmonious with all the black and silver, where the only color is the engine cover. And I like that look.

However, that AEM filter could look real nice, too. And my R2C filters are getting like 4 years old. No wait, I looked it up... it's been 5.5 years and 20k miles.

 

Also found this old thread in my archives:

*General PSA for folks that own this intake: *

You should regularly check the rubber mounting flange on both intake filters for cracks / deterioration! I just changed my oil and while I was under the hood I noticed that the mounting flanges on both filters were in extremely poor condition with only 14k miles on them. (see below photos) The driver side filter had completely deteriorated, while the passenger side was badly split in multiple places. I called R2C to help me out with this issue, but all three times I reached out to them I got the silent treatment. Between the heat shields rusting out, the fitment issues, the molding not staying put, and now the filters falling apart before 15k miles, I honestly regret buying this intake system over K&N’s Typhoon intakes for the G37.

The good news is that there IS an alternative filter that fits like a glove and is readily available to replace the poorly made R2C filters . . . K&N part# RC-4670. Amazon came to the rescue when R2C hung me out to dry and had these to me in only 2 days. (see below photos for fitment)




Image: https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.myg...d071bd1ca1.jpg
Image: https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.myg...e253d9f27d.jpg
Image: https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.myg...723c5c893a.jpg

 

I remember reading that comment in my old R2C thread. The pics of the break-down of his filter's rubber were shocking.

https://www.myg37.com/forums/intake-...s-learned.html

You know, those fit the flange, but they look really out of place, too long, too cylindrical, with chrome trim jammed right up against the cross member.

 

Here, same numbers rounded to a tenth and itemized, starting with the R2C filter:

2.5" - Outlet
6.0" - Bottom Diameter
4.5" - Top Diameter
5.5" - Media Height
1.3" - Flange Height

Compared to the AEM Part #: 21-201D-HK:

2.5" - Outlet
6.0" - Bottom Diameter
5.1" - Top Diameter
5.1" - Media Height
?.?" - Flange Height

So... slightly less conical in shape, and shorter by a 1/2 inch. Otherwise, the dimensions seem just about right. The only unknown is the clamp fitment.

 

https://www.importpartspro.com/co10509b.html

Worth a shot, try contacting them and see if they have them in stock.

 

0.5" less bottom diameter, but the rest of the specs basically match the R2C original:

https://www.aemintakes.com/21-2011dk...low-air-filter

I can get that one on Amazon via Prime to at least check fitment.

 

Good on you for guinea pigging one of the filters. That particular model is also very close to the R2C filter specs. Smaller in some respect than the 21-201D-HK, though.

R2C

2.5" - Outlet
6.0" - Bottom Diameter
4.5" - Top Diameter
5.5" - Media Height
1.3" - Flange Height

AEM Part #: 21-201D-HK

2.5" - Outlet
6.0" - Bottom Diameter
5.1" - Top Diameter
5.1" - Media Height
?.?" - Flange Height

AEM Part #: 21-2011-DK

2.5" - Outlet
5.5" - Bottom Diameter
4.8" - Top Diameter
5.0" - Media Height
1.1" - Flange Height

 

If the internet tools arent lying, its about a 10% difference in surface area between the smaller AEM and the original R2C (the R2C being 10% more than the smaller AEM)

With 2 throttle bodies Im not quite sure that 10% surface area difference means much, if anything. Im sure they will FIT but Im not sure if one could really tell any performance difference.

 

I appreciate you shining a light on these options, Chris. Good job.

If I were more comfortable with shipment returns ( ), I'd buy one of each of these two and figure out which one is the keeper (if any). However I'm not pressed to do anything in the moment, because I'm not experiencing the dry rot in the rubber you are.

 

Ordered the smaller one last night, once it gets here I will get some pics vs the R2C.

I like the idea of the bigger one BUT with a larger diameter at the "small" end, I wonder if it might be too big....for some reason I think I remember the R2C filter hitting the core support, a larger diameter would only make that worse.