The whole kit has finally arrived. Plan have install and tune completed before the end of the year. I would rather not tally up the costs... it's ridiculous how much I have spent... would prefer to stay in denial for now.

 

I understand! Sorry about that, I guess its a slippery slope lol I can't wait to see how it turns out!

 

If you just want a better looking valve cover, have yours stripped and powder coated. Like this:

 

If you just want a better looking valve cover, have yours stripped and powder coated. Like this:

I ended up going with this valve cover, I like how it changes color.

 

So I am hoping to install the SC before the end of the year. Am currently focused on completing the RSX front brake upgrade. Couldn't help installing this Merc Racing accessory spark plug cover over the weekend though. The attached pic of box holds the new rotors, calipers, brake hoses, and pads.

 

UPDATE:

So the new plan is for me to drop of the Element for supercharger install 01 16 21. Wife is 6 months pregnant with our son so I have been a little distracted to say the least. I will be driving my Element to San Antonio from Houston with my wife following me in her Honda Civic. Then we plan to hang out in the Texas Hill Country for the weekend before returning home in her car. Will keep you all updated when install is complete and I have new dyno numbers. Attached is the latest pic of how my Element is looking from the front.

 

UPDATE:

So the new plan is for me to drop of the Element for supercharger install 01 16 21. Wife is 6 months pregnant with our son so I have been a little distracted to say the least. I will be driving my Element to San Antonio from Houston with my wife following me in her Honda Civic. Then we plan to hang out in the Texas Hill Country for the weekend before returning home in her car. Will keep you all updated when install is complete and I have new dyno numbers. Attached is the latest pic of how my Element is looking from the front.

I am also very interested in this mod. Looking for power, not speed. I have a 2010 AWD E built for off-road camping and it is over weight and under powered (like me). Heavy and has a roof top tent on it, so it is a brick with a sail on top. I travel in the mountains of North Carolina where I live, and go to CO once a year. I have stiffer springs on the way, and just found a tuner I am hoping can install either this supercharger or a turbo, and upgrade the brakes. I have heard forum members say the transmission is super strong, but I think those are all 5-speeds. Anybody seen the automatic transmission take a lot more power and keep reliability? I am only looking for modest power gain, not >300hp. Congratulations on the new family member and the super charger- good luck with both!!

 

Congrats! Good luck on your trip!

 

I exchanged messages with Jose Mercado and they are close to me, so I am actually going to drop my E off at their shop and they will install the supercharger kit there. That might be helpful to you is they have an E right there, in case in you run into anything. Please keep me posted on the progress of your install. I am really excited about this!

 

Very cool, I will message you directly.

 

Well friends the day has finally come! Dropped the Element off on Saturday for Merc Racing TVS 900 kit install. My fabricator is working hand in hand with my tuner to make this dream come true.

 

Well friends the day has finally come! Dropped the Element off on Saturday for Merc Racing TVS 900 kit install. My fabricator is working hand in hand with my tuner to make this dream come true. Attached is a pic reflecting current progress.

Auto or Manual?

 

Woohoo!! Keep us posted. I am super interested in how this goes- I am planning the same install on mine. I meant to ask before, are you installing an intercooler? BTW, having the Acura rotors and calipers installed this week on mine

 

I would love 2cu somehow get your PS rack electrified so that u can eliminate your PS pump, lines& reservoir. I wonder, what your pump gas potential is on this K20/24? Will u hv2 give up any accessory drive, like A/C? U might consider a 12.8V DUHON LiONPO4 battery upgrade like I hv2 lighten the front end& compensate 4all the added equipment. I'm researching your MR900 TVS SC Kit so that I fully understand its mounting & operation. Good luck, &we will b watching 4your results on this very expensive kit.

What Acura rotors& calipers? The 4piston black Brembo set from manual versions of the ASpec? Please do tell because we own both an E &a 3rd gen ASPEC TL.

 

The thought of this just makes me silly.
Good luck with this project, and thanks for sharing with us.

 

Power is very addicting!

 

So I spoke to my fabricator yesterday and there have been some hiccups with the build. I guess that is to be expected as this build has never been done before with a Merc Racing setup. The latest is that the old Merc tensioner relocation bracket I bought used does not work and the dang power steering pump is hitting the blower. Luckily I have a true fabricator who will make a way using a CNC machine if he has too, but it sucks when accessory part's I bought for the kit don't work. Luckily so far none of the issues are major.

Am kind of glad my Element is in San Antonio right now and I am in Houston. Otherwise I might be giving into my OCD and driving over to the shop every day and annoying my mechanic.

 

So I spoke to my fabricator yesterday and there have been some hiccups with the build. I guess that is to be expected as this build has never been done before with a Merc Racing setup. The latest is that the old Merc tensioner relocation bracket I bought used does not work and the dang power steering pump is hitting the blower. Luckily I have a true fabricator who will make a way using a CNC machine if he has too, but it sucks when accessory part's I bought for the kit don't work. Luckily so far none of the issues are major.

Am kind of glad my Element is in San Antonio right now and I am in Houston. Otherwise I might be giving into my OCD and driving over to the shop every day and annoying my fabricator (Israel).

Hey AWD! Would you mind letting me know what ECU and tuning package you went with? Jose needs me to order it and he sent me a link to a Hondata system that works with a 03-06 manual transmission, but I am an 09 Automatic. What are you using?

thanks!

 

Just wanted to give you all a quick update. We have run into some unforeseen challenges with this build. The plan is to make a custom bracket to relocate the hydraulic power steering pump since it is touching the blower. New fuel pump, injectors and pig tails, RSX throttle body, TB adapter, augmentation of K@N intake, aftermarket intake manifold gasket, coolant bypass, extra has all been done. As soon as the bracket is made then we should be good to go and ready for a dyno tune. 🤞

 

Super helpful to know. My E is scheduled to go to Merc Racing for the supercharger install next week. I will share this with Jose if that’s cool with you. Thanks so much!

 

Jose already knows about our issues. I would communicate with him that your OEM TB is different than mine. Mine is drive by cable, yours is drive by wire. I somehow sent him the wrong TB a while back in the early stages of my build. I meant to send him an Element TB so Jose could research it, but I sent him the wrong part by accident. I ended up switching to the RSX TB as recommended by Jose because it is bigger, so I suppose it is a moot point. I think DBW TBs are harder to mod though, I could be wrong. I know Ktuner has a different tune for the 07 versus 06. 07 is when the Element changed from DBC to DBW TB.

 

RSX TB? like for a K20 not a K24?

 

Correct.

 

I can t wait to see how this turns out

 

Yeah, unfortunately the storm last week has slowed everything down here in Texas. My mechanic in San Antonio is currently fabricating a prototype relocation bracket for my power steering to accommodate the Merc Racing Harrop blower. Am trying to be patient but it's hard, miss my Element!

 

Whats the mileage on the auto trans?
Also are you going to run it at the track, I would love to see the times..

 

Have about 190k on my auto trans. I have maintained it well, even went to great lengths to replace the trans filter about 5 years ago. Had the fluid inspected a few weeks ago and it looks clean. No, I doubt I will ever run the Element at a track.

 

Here are three people that have swapped in a TSX ecu into their 07+ Elements for the purpose of tuning (last one on the list is also running a turbo)

SC with K20A2 head

I wanted to share my head swap on my 07 SC with you guys. First you need to change the pistons (I used k24a2 Tsx 10.5:1) Then you need a k20a2 head! A k20z3 head woul have been a direct fit but it's hard to find... So you need to modify the injector base to fit the head, I used the gasket to cut...

www.elementownersclub.com

07-08 TSX pcm swap into other chassis - Hondata

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AWD- I got a direct message from a guy named Gio Angelo, (I would love to bring him into this conversation, but don’t know how to do that ) he was having trouble posting in the forums. He sent me the following:


Boosting an 09+ will require swapping to an 07-08 Acura TSX ecu and having your key/immobilizer reprogrammed. Note: I only know of people that have done it on a manual transmission Element, and VSA will be lost in the process
TSX AT ecu: 37820-RBB-A71 or 37010-RBB-506
TSX MT ecu: 37820-RBB-A21 or 37010-RBB-505

Believe it or not Jose is willing to take on this experimental project to see if we can make it work. I am going to buy the automatic transmission ECU, and a tuning kit, and we’re going to see if we can make it work. That would be super Duper awesome! Do you happen to know of anyone who has had good luck putting an Acura TSXECU in an E?

 

If Gio told you it will work, then it will. What do you mean by 'tuning kit?'

 

Jat9RDO, Gio Angelo is good people, He def knows his stuff...

 

That is what Jose calls it. I think he just means they Hondata or Ktuner interface and software to program the ECU- That’s what I mean by tuning kit, which is a term that Jose used.

Gio has been very helpful with some advice and turned me on to the boosted elements Facebook group where there is also a pretty good amount of information. Jose and his son have a greed to take on the project, which is exciting. Now that we have done a little bit of research, the ECU for my model and transmission are going to be the biggest hurdle to making it work. I don’t think anyone is completely certain that it will work. It’s always good to try

 

That is what Jose calls it. I think he just means they Hondata or Ktuner interface and software to program the ECU- That’s what I mean by tuning kit, which is a term that Jose used.

Gio has been very helpful with some advice and turned me on to the boosted elements Facebook group where there is also a pretty good amount of information. Jose and his son have a greed to take on the project, which is exciting. Now that we have done a little bit of research, the ECU for my model and transmission are going to be the biggest hurdle to making it work. I don’t think anyone is completely certain that it will work. It’s always good to try

Supercharging the Element with a Merc Racing kit WILL work, and I will be the first to prove it. Initially, I felt pretty alone in my efforts and even a little crazy at times. Nevertheless, I appreciate the support of this community. This is my first build so I have been learning a lot. I did as much 'research' as possible even going back to a 2008 thread where someone supercharged their Element with a CTE kit for reference. However, the CTE kit is different and (as is life) often you don't really know what you are getting into... until you are in it. For my build, relocating the power steering has been our biggest challenge. My team is almost done with creating a custom power steering relocation bracket. Just talked with my tuner today... hopefully we will be on the dyno by next week.

 

I can't wait to see some dyno graphs on this

 

Sorry guys, should have clarified I want to stick with my Merc setup, I'm in pretty deep at this point. I do have a fondness for that old CTE kit though. That 2008 build was really helpful in inspiring me to set out on my own course... still love looking at it's old build thread through this forum. I was just curious on the price... Sigh... if I was not newly married, and didn't have a baby on the way I would be tempted to buy it simply because I love any Element performance parts, especially a custom set up like that with the custom P/S bracket. Wouldn't mind a K24A2 longblock sitting in my garage either just sitting pretty.

If I went the CTE route, I would go through Merc for their intake manifold and cooling upgrades for that now discontinued CTE kit. We are hopeful my newer Merc setup/ Harrop blower will outperform the CTE kit. Some of the differences in my build (versus the 2008 CTE build) include; Ktuner, a K@N intake, 630CC injectors, AEM 340LPH fuel pump, custom Megan Racing header/HF catted downpipe (lot's of fabrication), Injen catback exhaust set up, and both a 3.2 and 3.4 Merc pulley to play with. So fingers crossed we hope to surpass 205 whp.

On a personal note, my wife has basically told me my Element supercharger install will be counted as my 'midlife crisis sports car'. So moving forward, I am going to have to reign in what used to be an unlimited budget for the Element. My (now OUR) Element will likely become a garage queen as I imagine this supercharger will not be helping my gas mileage for a daily work commute (we just moved to the suburbs). My tuner anticipates a loss of two 2mpg... but the temptation to hit that throttle will be outrageous.

I used to not think twice about buying expensive parts, but all that has to change moving forward. Apparently kids really eat up money, oh, and I just became a first time home owner last weekend, so we have a big mortgage now! Yay! Wife is 33 weeks pregnant today and we are having a boy. Not sure if I will ever be able to stop tinkering with my Element... it's just for the first time in my life I will be a Dad... and that will need to become priority. I cant wait to put that car seat in the back of my Element... Is that weird?

 

I dropped off my Element, with the Acura ECU and Hondata tuner this morning with Jose and Nathan. I’m so excited! They are great people and it is in really good hands. Now that they have seen it, they are pretty stoked about it too. I will keep y’all posted!! First pic of the “before” engine bay. I am having them install a TVS1320 with cooler. That’s a dual battery system with an accessory switch box. Jose says its no problem leaving it

 

I dropped off my Element, with the Acura ECU and Hondata tuner this morning with Jose and Nathan. I’m so excited! They are great people and it is in really good hands. Now that they have seen it, they are pretty stoked about it too. I will keep y’all posted!! First pic of the “before” engine bay. I am having them install a TVS1320 with cooler. That’s a dual battery system with an accessory switch box. Jose says its no problem leaving it View attachment 208023

Yeah like I told you before, Jose is solid. I have been emailing back and forth with him about both your build and mine.

 

I was really hoping more people could chime in on this merc racing k24 supercharger. I am now re-considering my head swap plan since it would be around the same cost. I contacted Jose Mercado at Merc Racing and he thinks the supercharger should work fine on the Element since it is a k head.

I certainly agree, I think the supercharger is going to work on the element but it depends a bit on what year and transmission yours is as to how easy it will be to adapt the ECU. If I remember right, pre-06 MT should be ok. There needs to be a good tuning solution (Ktuner or Hondata) for your ECU that supports forced induction. Mine is an 09 A/T and that makes the tuning very complicated as I understand it.

This community has been fantastic at sharing experience. Jose and his son Nathan have my element in their garage as we speak working on the ECU and the supercharger install