Much difference between a stock and K&N drop in filter?

I was thinking about picking up a full intake, but the K&N drop ins are pretty cheap at 40 bucks. Will there be much difference between the stock and K&N filters? I'm not expecting a huge power increase, but a little deeper intake noise would be nice. I've already removed the resonator.

You will be happy with just a k@n drop in filter. When you start to put mods higher then MPS1, such as a map clamp/FIC, then i would recomend a full intake swap. Until then the drop in works great. You will also be able to hear the turbo spool a lot better with just a drop in.

I'd love to be able to hear a turbo spool at all ... I'm rolling in an SXT :/

I LOL'd :jester:

K&N would be enough, you should still see noticeable gains in your MPGs

I saw a little improvement in fuel economy (but not more than 2mpg - more like "1+" ). If you are doing it (dropping in a K&N filter) to hear more, or a deeper, intake noise, then I doubt you will see any improvement in mpg - more likely a reduction in mpg. You'll like the sound, so you'll "throttle" more to hear it more often... You'll even swear that you can feel the power increase... but it will only be because you are subconsiously accelerating harder just to keep hearing the sound you like.

I run a K&N because I expect that it performs filtration better while providing good engine breathing. The mpg increase is "nice" for me, but my choice was more driven by engine longevity "insurance". The thing to remember is that... unless you buy two (like I did), you will have to take more time during your oil change to clean and reinstall your filter than it takes to swap out a std paper filter. So your oil change will need to be more "scheduled" since it will take longer and you will need to complete the filter cleaning, drying and re-oiling before moving the car again. For me, I "process" the filter as a separate task from the oil & filter change... That way I don't rush it and I can do the oil change & tire rotation as my schedule allows. I know I end up spending at least the same amount of time overall, but I think I do a better job of processing the filter by doing it apart from the oil change activity and don't have to worry about putting the car out of commission any longer than it takes to do the oil change.

just my 2¢ :)

Yeah I've had K&N's on my previous cars, plus my motorcycles. I just do it and let it sit overnight when I know i'm not going anywhere.

I have the Mopar drop-in filter which is similar to the K&N. Don't have any comparison review to the full intake system but like you mentioned, a lot cheaper. Also noted that the design of the full intake draws in heat from the engine compartment, didn't care for that.
My air intake system uses the factory filter housing but has a different breather nozzle (my avatar). Also it does produce the deeper intake sound you are speaking of. Several other mods were done, removed the air diverter, blocking the baffles and replacing the bellows with a silicone sleeve.

Yeah I saw that thread - nice look bit of kit, especially for home made. If I tried something like that it'd end up being a couple of bits of card held together with staples and duct tape ;)

My gf's SXT has a drop in K&N filter... the performance gain was noticeable but obviously not overwhelming... but she did see a 3+ mpg again in gas mileage, which was great. The gain in gas mileage has been consistent since the filter was put it. During our trip to Florida, she average around 31-32 mpg, up from around 28mph on the freeway before the filter.