Hi Everyone,

Sorry for the delay. We have been getting the Element ready for the SEMA show in Las Vegas, Nov. 4 -7, 2003. We are currently calling sponsors and anyone
who is interested in displaying their products. Anyway the exhaust system information
is here. It is a two-piece system that can be installed with some basic tools. It uses all of the stock hanger locations and bolts right up to the catback using the same flange/bolts. Thanks for waiting.

Element Catback Exhaust System
All tests done using the Beltronics Vector FX2 (www.beltronics.com/fx.html)
Test results:
Almost a full second off the 1/4 mile time.
8-13 horsepower gain.
2-3 city / 3-4 hwy miles per gallon gain.

System Features:
Each system is custom/handmade in the U.S.A.
Custom designed, engineered and manufactured by HyTech (www.hytechexhaust.com)for the Honda Element engine.
Aerospace quality 304 stainless steel 2.5” dia tubing throughout.
Double bypass acoustic muffler. Built from 304-polished stainless steel. Tig welded for superior strength and appearance. Casing diameter is 10 inches and is a full 2 1/2 inches all the way through. The quietest muffler available on the market without any power loss. All mandrel bends, tig welds, precise fit flanges and mounting hangers (original locations).
Install the system yourself using all stock locations. No cutting, welding or special Hardware/equipment needed.
17” (3.5” dia.) polished stainless steel tailpipe with angle cut at end.

This price includes everything you need to completely bolt on the system.
Price: $875.00 (does not include shipping or tax)

For photos: http://www.hondasuv.com/forum_element/viewtopic.php?t=966

Thanks,

SurfCity :D

I will have the exhaust system on the Element
at the Driftoff in Irwindale Oct 12 if anyone wants to see/hear it.

SurfCity

>Price: $875.00

It's not my intent to be a stick-in-the-mud, Surf, but what is it that makes this exhaust system worth double the price of a comparable system from, say, Borla? Not that Borla has one or is going to (they never did one for the CRV), but SS bolt-ons for small SUVs already have a benchmark in the $400-450 range.

Being the only option currently available obviously does have some cachet here, but... well... that's a lot of money for a cat-back system. :(

:shock:

Yeah... the price is pretty steep. So are the expected HP and MPG gains.
I've never seen an exhaust system produce those kind of gains in the
real world, unless it was installed along with an intake, or other mods.

Dyno numbers will provide the proof I guess.

I hate to agree with most of the responses when it comes to the amount of money and claimed HP.....I had a custom catback made by Magnaflow 2.25" pipe..( not polished but..really.... :roll: ) and a Magnaflow exhaust along with a resonator all for $350 on my previous car....and now I see the Element with basically the same type of exhaust for $500 more....wow..and I had my car dynoed and the gains were almost 4 ponies...
:( ..ooh well I'll keep reading.......

In a little bit of defense of Surf's company (and the hard work) here, after doing some research I've discovered that prices in the performance aftermarket for Honda vehicles tend to run high to begin with, although not that high.

For example, the only "bolt on" exhaust I found for the CRV ran $600-650 from most suppliers. This may have something to do with the market for the CRV - frankly, primarily young female - and therefore there is a much smaller number of prospective sales. So you have to price higher to recoup your engineering and setup costs. Seeing that the target demo for the E is young males, hopefully this will change.

I agree that the "8-13 HP" and mileage claims are optimistic. I will cut some slack here because 5% gains (8 HP) are reasonable when compared against a consumer-oriented (i.e., whisper quiet) exhaust system, with the implicit restriction, but 10-20% improvement in MPG?... nah, that's teetering on the edge of failing the "reasonability test".

:?

I think it is admirable that most everyone here is trying to be objective. Personally I find the price and performance gains on the high side. Especially considering the exhaust path looks like it takes a U-turn by the muffler? I thought the whole idea is to provide high flow and low back pressure? I am really confused by the design and pricing decisions on this one.

Hey Mike, not trying to be negative, but I am a young girl and I own an Element and I am making a few modifications on my E. Just dont stereotype us all, K?

:shock:

>Just dont stereotype us all, K?

No stereotyping implied, lae. My s.o. also likes the performance tweaks on her ride, too - she requested the Koni struts, not I! But, honestly, both of you are the exception rather than the rule, yes?

P.C. or not, demographics of a vehicle are an extremely important issue to aftermarket performance manufacturers. F'rinstance, you would go broke very quickly trying to make a market out of header/exhaust packages for Chrysler minivans, or Cadillac Devilles.

:roll:

Issue is noise!
I would hate looking and acting a fool with loud exaust.
They are obnoxious to the general public (Dont get me started with the Harley crowd)

I would be very interested if it was
1. Nice looking (i.e. not a huge tube out the back all polished and gawdy)
2. Quiet
3. Helped the MPG or all around performance

I once was younger and attributed noise to power

[quote:7cdd3ef818="isdkelly"]Issue is noise!
I would hate looking and acting a fool with loud exaust.
They are obnoxious to the general public (Dont get me started with the Harley crowd)

I would be very interested if it was
1. Nice looking (i.e. not a huge tube out the back all polished and gawdy)
2. Quiet
3. Helped the MPG or all around performance

I once was younger and attributed noise to power[/quote:7cdd3ef818]

My point also....I have not done an exhaust mod on my RSX-S for the same reason....with the cold air intake both my vehicles sound great, the performance is noticeable, the mpg went up and there is no noise...or should I say constant noise....as far as the gains in HP???...I didn't notice it on my Civic Si when I installed the Magnaflow catback...as much as I noticed the noise....but the dyno showed 4 HP difference before the install and after

But I'm here to point out that the price is a bit too high for what you gain, unless your're planning on showing your vehicle more than having it be a daily ride....

[quote:4b3b8b49f2=" "]>Price: $875.00

It's not my intent to be a stick-in-the-mud, Surf, but what is it that makes this exhaust system worth double the price of a comparable system from, say, Borla? Not that Borla has one or is going to (they never did one for the CRV), but SS bolt-ons for small SUVs already have a benchmark in the $400-450 range.

Being the only option currently available obviously does have some cachet here, but... well... that's a lot of money for a cat-back system. :([/quote:4b3b8b49f2]

Hi,

This is David Borla of Borla Exhaust. We manufacture high performance, T304 stainless steel, aftermarket exhaust systems with a million mile, no-hassle warranty. I noticed that some of you are unhappy with the durability of your stock exhaust system and I was wondering if there is a demand for a better performing and more durable aftermarket exhaust for the Element. Please let me know your thoughts.

Thanks

>Please let me know your thoughts.

My credit card number is... :wink:

Seriously, I'm interested. The one consideration you will want to make in engineering for the Element is that the 5-speed has a higher "cruise" RPM than the automatic: 70 mph = 3500 rpm, versus ~3000 for the auto.

I have no problem with exhaust noise when getting into it, but I'd like to avoid drone during level cruising.

Yup!

I'm putting on over 18k miles a year. I'd be interested in a system from Borla as well. Anything that will help out the MPG and make my driving more fun is always welcome.

if you can figure out the difference and keep the colst reasonable I am there!!

I'm also in the market to improve performance and save a few bucks at the same time. Reasonable improvement in MPG and power at a reasonable cost = value. Sign me up today, I'm ready.

Yes very interested and don't forget headers too...

Borla header and exhaust ------> show me the way...

4-8 HP plus good MPG for $350.
I am with you Dave,if you can make it. :wink:

I have been following all the many conversations about modifications to boost performance, sound, mileage etc., and I am a bit confused. I think the E could use a little help in the mileage department, though with an engine that turns this kind of rpm's what can be expected....I am not an engineer and have never really done much to a car save install an intake cyclone and K&N filter to my Montero and that made quite a difference just doing those things! What is the best path, simply put, to increase the mileage, get a few more horses and just plain enjoy a little more throat from my E? :)

ANybody?]

SMM AWD EX mudflaps, roof rack, foil, fogs carpets and a box o kickin jams!

For those folks that may have not heard of Hytech Exhaust before, these horsepower and mileage figures (not to mentions price) might seem a little high. I've known John personally for some years now however, and I can say with all honesty that he does not exagerate his results, nor does he need to.

I purchased his first production Type R header when he was just expanding from supplying custom racing exhausts to the Honda market. He was charging even more than Mugen prices, but you got every bit of performance and quilaty that you paid for. In that application, his design absolutely trounced the nearest competition, offering a solid 10-20 hp increase throughout the entire rev range. This on one of Honda's most highly tuned motors.

The K24 has vastly more untapped potential than the B18C5. I'm just glad John has found some of his hard to come by time, to show attention to us Element owners. Especially when many other manufacturers continue to ignore this market. :D

HyTech? Didn't JG steal his header design...or some **** back in the day?

Who are we talking about in this thread that is HyTech? SurfCity? If SurfCity's exhaust is a Hytech exhaust...then yeah, I'll vouch for it too, and say that it is most definitely worth the money. But clarify for me, please.

****! Yeah I just looked back...I didn't even notice the HyTech before.

So yeah, it's worth the money...now I'm thinking about picking one up. How about a business discount eh? :lol:

I really hate when a company makes a post on a website and then never sticks around to answer anyone's questions about said post...

He says that a Beltronics Vector FX2 was used to show all of the gains in 1/4 mile, hp and fuel mileage. Well, there is a problem with using that device and posting it as an accurate result.

1. This device is similar to the G-Tech. It is a nice tool for the home tuner, but an aftermarket company should use a chassis dyno to give accurate hp figures. I know having used a G-Tech it is VERY easy to get inaccurate results if you don't check how the device is installed.

2. Want to show accurate 1/4 mile times? How about hitting a drag strip and posting some time slips. Give ALL of the data, don't just say your time lowered almost a full second. This is bs type data. What was the before number? The after number? How many runs did you perform for each, how many hours, days weeks, months between the stock and modded runs? Did the weather change? Tires change? Come on, you want to sell a $900 exhaust... include something that we can see and read.

3. Fuel mileage improvement... this device does NOT measure it! How did you come up with "2-3 city / 3-4 hwy miles per gallon gain"? This can't be measured with the Beltronic device. How many miles did you drive just in the city and how many just on the highway? What instruments did you use to measure the gains?

I am not saying if this is a good or bad exhaust... just questioning how it is being introduced to the Element Community. Incase anyone thinks I am picking on Surfcity... I still am not sure if David Borla is even David Borla. He posts the EXACT SAME reply to EVERYONE and also does not stick around or come back to answer anyones questions.

Has anyone actually seen or purchased an exhaust from Surfcity? What are your impressions of it?

The word from John (Hytech) is that there is just the one prototype right now. Production should start in the next couple months. I'd give it another couple after that. ;)

[quote:fecb0fddc8=" "]The word from John (Hytech) is that there is just the one prototype right now. Production should start in the next couple months. I'd give it another couple after that. ;)[/quote:fecb0fddc8]

Thank you, at least someone has gotten what I would hope is an honest piece of information regarding the Surfcity exhaust from Hytech.

So we should not be seeing this exhaust until mid-year then? Maybe Borla or someone else will have some competitors out by then with some real world results.

david, might get one sold here, as i rack 160mi a day. i want something that will last, & i am very familiar with your product.

I am curious as to whether anyone knows ANYTHING about the three (Hytech, Borla, Injen) exhausts being developed? I know it's early but I'm getting all antsy :lol:

Thank you for asking, Mr. Borla.
I would be EXTREMELY interested in one of your exausts!!!

Carefully reseach your mods before doing them. Temple of VTEC just tested an aftermarket intake on a Civic SI which also uses a K-series motor. It actually had HP and Torque losses below 4000 rpm.


http://www.vtec.net/articles/view-article?article_id=186660