AliExpress MST R600 Replacement Filter
- Andrew Wei
- Jun 6
- 3 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Yes, you heard that right. There is a friggin' AliExpress knockoff of a product made to fit a completely different company's kit.
Given that Racingline filters are extraordinarily expensive and my current foam filter is disintegrating, this seemed like a good opportunity to test the AliExpress remake of the MST R600 replacement filter. Realistically... what could go wrong?
My main train of thought, though, was that I actually wanted it for the tube — because with that tube, I could use a pod filter from a third-party source, since the filter itself isn't integral to the pipe that connects with the silicone intake hose.
The product came in two pieces: the interface and the pod filter. The interface actually looks really well made and fits onto the silicone pipe nicely. The "oval wall" area seals perfectly along the walls of the R600 housing.
The pod filter itself is... well, for starters it doesn't really fit... There is no way to install it without it hitting the walls of the enclosure. In fact, the fit was so bad that forcing it in would bend the R600 intake housing just enough that you couldn't close the lid.
It also isn't oiled — not sure if you're supposed to oil it or if it's meant to be a dry filter.
The pod filter that came with it also made basically ZERO whoosh noises even though the original Racingline foam filter made A LOT. According to a quick AI consult, less whooshing doesn't mean more efficient air intake — it means less air altogether. Not exactly confidence inspiring.
So the next day I went out and picked up a K&N RG-1001RD.
This filter is conveniently 14mm shorter than the AliExpress one, meaning it fits perfectly without hitting anything and actually lets you reinstall the enclosure lid. I would also like to point out that I used the 3.5 inch (88.9mm) ring size on the K&N filter while the AliExpress specs state that the pipe is 87mm. The roughly 2mm of discrepancy did not seem to affect the seal effecicacy at all.
I can also hear a whoosh from it, albeit not as loud as the original Racingline foam. Does it outperform the Chinese one? Honestly not sure, but being a better fit is already a win in my books.
Despite needing to grab an additional filter, the AliExpress kit was $84 AUD and the K&N was $54 (on sale) — totalling $138 AUD. That's still considerably cheaper than the original MST kit ($345 AUD), the Racingline foam kit ($245 AUD), or the Racingline cotton kit ($365 AUD). As a bonus, I can now use any third-party pod filter I want, meaning I'll never be locked into one company for parts again.
When we get to Stage 2, we'll find out whether this kit is holding us back from making big power.
Conclusion: If you've got an R600 Racingline intake kit and want a lower-cost filter replacement, it might be worth having a browse on AliExpress!
Link to product: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005011838453077.html
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