[AWD]

Thanks guys for the feedback. I am planning to visit a reputable speed shop in Austin in the next few weeks to discuss a build plan. I am a little confused though. I thought it was possible to swap the head without changing the pistons on this car. I thought it was called a Frankenstein build. I wish there was a supercharger available still for our car, but the old Jackson racing one others have used no longer exists. Yes there is a turbo, but I live in Texas and no AC is just not an option.

 

[GR8Bike]

AWD. The Hellement has the stock A/C and it works just fine. Actually you don't even notice it is on, no engine drag, with the turbo. I am running the in line exhaust header and there is no interfernce with the AC. I was going to just replace the head with the dual V-tech TSX head. You can do it. No problem. But a head was close to $1000 and still needed machining. l I bought a complete 04 TSX motor for $750 from LKQ. It had 57K on the motor, ran good, could have just installed it lkbut I went full build. Good luck.

 

[AWD]

AWD. The Hellement has the stock A/C and it works just fine. Actually you don't even notice it is on, no engine drag, with the turbo. I am running the in line exhaust header and there is no interfernce with the AC. I was going to just replace the head with the dual V-tech TSX head. You can do it. No problem. But a head was close to $1000 and still needed machining. l I bought a complete 04 TSX motor for $750 from LKQ. It had 57K on the motor, ran good, could have just installed it lkbut I went full build. Good luck.

Thanks Gr8tbike, sounds like your setup is awesome. I will admit I don't know as much about engines as you guys. I am reluctant to change my whole engine. I was thinking of simply buying the head and RBB manifold and and dropping my car off at this shop that does builds near Austin. Will any 04, 05 TSX head do? Also, can someone please confirm if I will need to change the pistons or not? I have read conflicting answers around this kind of head swap build on our Elements.

Can you guys tell me if I am on the right track with this head I just found on Ebay?

2006-2008 ACURA TSX RB3 K24 CYLINDER HEAD REBUILT!!!!!!! | eBay

Hot tanked, checked all new seals and head was cut. No cam this is a V-TEC version. Ready to go, great for Civic inplant.

www.ebay.com

 

[AWD]

Ok, so I have done some more research and see that I would need TSX pistons for a head swap. Am learning that the head swap is a lot more work than I anticipated!

What do you all think of a 06+ TSX cams upgrade? I have read that aftermarket cams are risky and I like the idea of upgrading the Element with Honda parts. I understand the 06+ TSX cams are drop in and compatible with all k24a engines. Can others educate me on this process or tell me what you think of this idea? Am thinking maybe a cams upgrade along with upgrading the RBB manifold, DC header, Injen exhaust, and retune, could finally get my build plan cooking...Oh and what is an OEM dual valve spring setup mean?

Please chime in y'all. I need to think of something else other than this virus.

 

[mblackwood]

Hi gang,

It was my birthday last Friday and I went to H-Car in San Antonio and had my E tuned. Jorge Hurtado was very professional and is clearly an experienced and knowledgeable tuner. He modifed my ECU to accept the Ktuner tune and spent hours on the whole job. He told me he has tuned Elements before which surprised me. My awesome girlfriend got me the K&N typhoon intake to compliment the tune and Jorge put it on for me prior to the dyno run. Yes, I went a little overboard and insulated the intake myself prior to installation because I wanted to avoid heat soak. Attached are some pics. On the dyno graph red is stock tune with intake, and purple is final tune. Unfortunately I could not get a before tune without intake but Jorge (the tuner) was confident that the intake helped with performance.

How much did the tune set you back?
I might have to drive over from Houston....

 

[YourOldPalElmer]

If I may...
Vtec Killer Cams
I’ve read that they both have no effect on drivability, and vastly decrease drivability ?. You do have the expensive stuff already, so it may be worth a look. And chances are you’ll max out your injectors before you reach their full potential.

 

[AWD]

How much did the tune set you back?
I might have to drive over from Houston....

I recommend you talk to Jorge Hurtado at H-Car Dyno in San Antonio and discuss a plan. He is definitely worth the drive. I don't feel comfortable quoting a price because him and I have become close friends.

 

[AWD]

If I may...
Vtec Killer Cams
I’ve read that they both have no effect on drivability, and vastly decrease drivability ?. You do have the expensive stuff already, so it may be worth a look. And chances are you’ll max out your injectors before you reach their full potential.

What are you saying decreases drivability, am not sure what you are referencing?

 

[AWD]

Ok gang, update:

I spoke to Jorge my tuner last night about my build plan. He suggested simply finding a used TSX long block with low miles and have that swapped onto the E. He recommended going with the TSX cams as opposed to aftermarket. He recommended the RBC manifold instead of the RBB (RBB has been a popular mod for us on this forum). I think I read on this forum a long time ago that the RBC intake manifold will require fabrication. He claims he seen the RBC give the best gains.

He suggested that this TSX long block swap would require less labor and that I would be able to keep a lot of my engine as is, which I would prefer because I have recently refreshed alternator, power steering, water pump, starter, ac condenser with all OEM parts, along with engine mounts a few years back, extra. What I also like about this plan is upgrading performance but sticking to Honda parts in the engine. He thinks at the wheels I could go from my current 135 to the 170s.

So my concern is putting used parts into the E with such extensive labor required. I know Gr8tbike considered this a while back. Thanks to your OldPal Elmer I just found this KMod performance website, perhaps I will reach out to them. Seems like they have all the parts I will need for this proposed build. Please chime in and let me know what you all think of this evolving plan.

 

[GR8Bike]

I installed the 04 TSX motor after a complete rebuild. Used a Ballade RBB machined intake with 70mm throttle body. The 06 TSX cams are drop in and IMO better than after market. I would check with LKQ and see about a complete used TSX and use the parts you like off your existing K24 and go from there. I would strip down the used motor and at least have the cyclinders honed and new rings and bearings installed. About the least expensive way to go. Keep us posted.

 

[AWD]

I installed the 04 TSX motor after a complete rebuild. Used a Ballade RBB machined intake with 70mm throttle body. The 06 TSX cams are drop in and IMO better than after market. I would check with LKQ and see about a complete used TSX and use the parts you like off your existing K24 and go from there. I would strip down the used motor and at least have the cylinders honed and new rings and bearings installed. About the least expensive way to go. Keep us posted.

Thanks for the feedback GR8bike. I just might do that. There is currently a local TSX motor for sale that I am eyeing. If I am switching to a TSX longblock like you did, will the RBC intake manifold and DC headers AHC6515 still be compatible?

 

[AWD]

Ok y'all. Yesterday I bought a TSX motor. It is now sitting in our storage unit. In for a penny in for a pound!

 

[GR8Bike]

Good buy. All the parts you asked about are compatible. K24's are universal. I would start checking K20 for possible 06 cams. Took me a couple of months to pick up a set. Good luck and have fun with your project.

 

[AWD]

Question guys. I am about to pull the trigger on a used DC header. Am thinking about having my powder coat guy who did my wheels fix them up and ceramic paint them. But I am confused about the different DC 4-21 RSX header numbers. There are AHC6515 and AHS6514. I know AHS means steel, but some of these numbers have a B after them. I know some DC 4-2-1 headers are for the base or type s model... I guess my question is are all DC 4-2-1 RSX headers compatible with the E/K24?

 

[YourOldPalElmer]

If my theorizing is correct, any should work as there were no single port rsx’s. I haven’t had a manifold bolted up to every head, or even one of their manifolds period, so I would get someone else’s input. Chances are good that they should all fit.

 

[AWD]

Hmmm, I guess my question is why would DC make a separate header (AHC6515) that is for the non type-S RSX model if it is all the same?

 

[AWD]

Good buy. All the parts you asked about are compatible. K24's are universal. I would start checking K20 for possible 06 cams. Took me a couple of months to pick up a set. Good luck and have fun with your project.

Gr8tbike I just read a very old post in where you stated that one could swap a TSX head without changing the stock Element pistons. It seems there has been a divide over the years regarding this theory throughout this forum. Not trying to create controversy. Just need to know the facts about my options. Changing the pistons means more labor, right? Just need to know what I am getting into here. What would you all do if you were in my situation with a TSX long block sitting in storage?

 

[KCSCTOASTE]

Yes, there is a noticeable difference. Not major, but it feels like it is easier to pass cars on the freeway. I think my mpg has improved 1-2 mpg.

MPG improvement! pays for itself

 

[Tesujin]

Hi gang,

It was my birthday last Friday and I went to H-Car, Blah, Blah, Blah...

Kudos to you buddy! I just installed my Ktuner In the begining of this month. No Tune yet as I am planning on installing a 2011 5spd automatic (i have a 2006, 4spd auto transmission) and a 05 TSX engine. now I'm trying to find some one in the DC area to install and mod a DC sports TSX header and downpipe for my element before the engine install

any chance you have the parameters of your tune? maybe i'll try it out in mine.

 

[Tesujin]

Question guys. I am about to pull the trigger on a used DC header. Am thinking about having my powder coat guy who did my wheels fix them up and ceramic paint them. But I am confused about the different DC 4-21 RSX header numbers. There are AHC6515 and AHS6514. I know AHS means steel, but some of these numbers have a B after them. I know some DC 4-2-1 headers are for the base or type s model... I guess my question is are all DC 4-2-1 RSX headers compatible with the E/K24?

did you end up getting the header? rsx or tsx?