Anyone do this mod yet? What parts did you use? I want to leave everything stock except the breathing. Any done yet?

I haven't seen anything yet. I have a 2009 EX 4WD and would love to tweak it. Only thing easily found was a K&N filter...

Several people have done Extensive modifications to the engine breathing. From CAI or SRI to custom everything.

On the other side several have done 2 inch tubing all the way from the custom headers to the tail pipe.

The GAINS are negligible, other than sound ( noise ) according to the boys at the Dyno shop. They are telling us that our engine comes fairly well optimized from the factory. The gains they are showing are about 2 or 3%. If you are willing to spend several hundred dollars for 2 or 3% increase in HP. and slight torque gains, then have at it. The design of our engine off the drawing board, was to maximize H.P. and still provide solid dependability, and fuel economy. Can it make more Power? Yes it can !! With just A change in air handling hardware, and Exhaust, Not really.

However, Forced induction drastically changes the equation. It also changes the trouble free aspects of ownership.

Dom

Dom's right. I've done some extensive research on engine modifications for K-series motors and here's what else I've discovered:

The best so-called way to get a performance gain is to rebuild the whole motor. A somewhat popular option is what's called the K20/K24 franken-motor. For reference: K20 = K series 2.0L motor (i.e. Honda Civics) and the K24 is the K series 2.4 motors (Element, CRV, Accord 4-cyl, Acura TSX, Acura RSX, etc). What you (basically) do is remove the K24 header and replace it with a high-performance K20 version: either the Civic Si or an 05-06 RSX Type-S. Amongst other things, with piston replacement (which is mandatory for an Element), you can increase the compression ratio from 9.7:1 to 12:1 or so N/A or leave it lower and ready for forced induction. The problem with the Element pistons is that replacing the header with a high-flow K20 is that the valves will contact. This problem ONLY exists for the Element (which is the worst part), so unlike all other K24's which you could technically just drop on a header, we can not.

Forced induction is always an option. It can be achieved and was best demonstrated by an old member who also happened to be a professional auto mechanic & high performance tuner. If you were to add some power, you also have to factor in the fact that the transmission gear ratio is considerably low due to the limits of the current engine. Basically, it may be more hassle than it's worth.

Edit: The Element motor code is K24A4 if you wish to research. I do believe that this exact motor was also used in several 4-cyl accords.

in the mostly informative post above^, please replace "header" w/ "head" to get a better idea of the intent of the post. (i think)

in the mostly informative post above^, please replace "header" w/ "head" to get a better idea of the intent of the post. (i think)

x2. a header from a k20 will work just fine, but the head is what will cause contact unless you change out the pistons and some other things. Im running the K24A4 in my 04 si and am running the 02-05 civic si DC Sport shorty. The only problem that you may run into with the short header is sway bar clearance but im not 100% sure on the element. the K24 is 19mm taller than a K20 so it might suck the cat up a little bit more to the body and sway bar