[AWD]

Ok everyone,

Finally some news on my build. My tuner and good friend Jorge stepped in and created a power steering relocation bracket today. Next steps are putting everything back together, finding the right belt, testing the idle, and hitting the dyno.

 

[AWD]

Hey gang,

So wanted to provide an update on my build. The long and short of it is... that the mechanic I believed was a fabricator (was not really a fabricator) got in over his head on this build. It's not entirely his fault as we all assumed the merc racing power steering relocation bracket I had purchased would relocate the power steering and this build would be easy. However, after initially pledging to build a custom bracket the mechanic then proceeded to drag his feet, stop communicating with me, and eventually quit on the build. Since I live hours away in Houston and my car is in San Antonio this process has been quite stressful to say the least.

Thankfully, my tuner and worthy friend Jorge stepped in, and in four hours built a custom power steering relocation bracket (pics in last post) and got my car into more capable hands with a different mechanic moving forward. After many lame excuses from former mechanic (and my car just sitting for months) we are finally back on track for this merc racing upgrade. This has been my first ever build. I have learned a lot so far. Not just about boosting/ the racing world... Yes, I have invested a ton of money on this Element build but there is an emotional component also.... will speak more to that in another post. Right now, I just want my Element back, I really miss driving it.

Since this whole dream started I have gotten married, become a step father to a 6 year old, and soon on 04/27 my wife will be giving birth to our son via C-section. So y'all please send positive energy my way. Hopefully I will be able to give you dyno results soon.

 

[AWD]

Anyone know a good source for 7-rib belts for a custom set up like this?

 

[Colonel Monk]

Vibes Sent AWD, keep on truckin'. Man, you do have your hands full. I'm sure it's all going to work out, it sounds like you have taken some of the hard steps.

It's looking really nice! I can't wait to hear your feedback on this setup.

Since I read this thread a few months back I now have a JDM K24A RBB3 in my garage, and I bought an Eaton M112 supercharger from a Jaguar XJR. Not sure where this is all headed! I always tend to leap before I look, and I'm wondering if what I really want for my car is more likely to come from another K24A4. In that, better breathing heads are not always better for torque, and well, when I bought the JDM I wasn't planning on a supercharger - and now I realize that lower comp may be better. The M112 is bigger than I wanted, but the M90s that have a smaller "scoop" outlet (like the Ford SC) are hard to come by. I'm not looking for top end necessarily, so if I have to detune it with a bigger pulley that's not a big deal.

Anyway, when you have time and some more experience we'll be psyched to hear how it works. One question, assuming the supercharger itself is an Eaton, what is it?

Thanks

 

[AWD]

Vibes Sent AWD, keep on truckin'. Man, you do have your hands full. I'm sure it's all going to work out, it sounds like you have taken some of the hard steps.

It's looking really nice! I can't wait to hear your feedback on this setup.

Since I read this thread a few months back I now have a JDM K24A RBB3 in my garage, and I bought an Eaton M112 supercharger from a Jaguar XJR. Not sure where this is all headed! I always tend to leap before I look, and I'm wondering if what I really want for my car is more likely to come from another K24A4. In that, better breathing heads are not always better for torque, and well, when I bought the JDM I wasn't planning on a supercharger - and now I realize that lower comp may be better. The M112 is bigger than I wanted, but the M90s that have a smaller "scoop" outlet (like the Ford SC) are hard to come by. I'm not looking for top end necessarily, so if I have to detune it with a bigger pulley that's not a big deal.

Anyway, when you have time and some more experience we'll be psyched to hear how it works. One question, assuming the supercharger itself is an Eaton, what is it?

Thanks

My supercharger is not an Eaton. My blower is a TVS900 Harrop.

 

[Gio Angelo]

My supercharger is not an Eaton. My blower is a TVS900 Harrop.

Technically it is an Eaton. Eaton manufactures and hold the patents for the Twin Vortices Series (aka TVS) rotor packs that are inside Harrop outer housing cases. Same thing with superchargers having a Magnuson/Roush/Edelbrock outer case...Eaton makes the internals. Supercharger distributors | Locator | How to buy | Eaton

TVS900 = Eaton generation 6 w/ 4-lobe rotors
M112 = Eaton generation 4 or 5 w/ 3-lobe rotors

The advantage of the TVS900 is that it will be more efficient than older generations (more power for its size, less heat generated while doing so) and that MercRacing makes a bolt-on manifold for K-series Honda. Most importantly MercRacing also makes the adapter plate to make the blower mount to the manifold. In the past Jose Mercado chose Magnuson head units for the blower but, due to difficulties with them as a supplier, he switched to Harrop in 2019.

 

[AWD]

Technically it is an Eaton. Eaton manufactures and hold the patents for the Twin Vortices Series (aka TVS) rotor packs that are inside Harrop outer housing cases. Same thing with superchargers having a Magnuson/Roush/Edelbrock outer case...Eaton makes the internals. Supercharger distributors | Locator | How to buy | Eaton

TVS900 = Eaton generation 6 w/ 4-lobe rotors
M112 = Eaton generation 4 or 5 w/ 3-lobe rotors

The advantage of the TVS900 is that it will be more efficient than older generations (more power for its size, less heat generated while doing so) and that MercRacing makes a bolt-on manifold for K-series Honda. Most importantly MercRacing also makes the adapter plate to make the blower mount to the manifold. In the past Jose Mercado chose Magnuson head units for the blower but, due to difficulties with them as a supplier, he switched to Harrop in 2019.

Gio, can you confirm whether my TVS blower comes pre-oiled?

 

[Gio Angelo]

Gio, can you confirm whether my TVS blower comes pre-oiled?

Yup, ready to go. Jose doesn't even repack them for shipping, they get sent out separately in the original Harrop boxes

 

[Jet9RDO]

Hey gang,

So wanted to provide an update on my build. The long and short of it is... that the mechanic I believed was a fabricator (was not really a fabricator) got in over his head on this build. It's not entirely his fault as we all assumed the merc racing power steering relocation bracket I had purchased would relocate the power steering and this build would be easy. However, after initially pledging to build a custom bracket the mechanic then proceeded to drag his feet, stop communicating with me, and eventually quit on the build. Since I live hours away in Houston and my car is in San Antonio this process has been quite stressful to say the least.

Thankfully, my tuner and worthy friend Jorge stepped in, and in four hours built a custom power steering relocation bracket (pics in last post) and got my car into more capable hands with a different mechanic moving forward. After many lame excuses from former mechanic (and my car just sitting for months) we are finally back on track for this merc racing upgrade. This has been my first ever build. I have learned a lot so far. Not just about boosting/ the racing world... Yes, I have invested a ton of money on this Element build but there is an emotional component also.... will speak more to that in another post. Right now, I just want my Element back, I really miss driving it.

Since this whole dream started I have gotten married, become a step father to a 6 year old, and soon on 04/27 my wife will be giving birth to our son via C-section. So y'all please send positive energy my way. Hopefully I will be able to give you dyno results soon.

So glad its progressing AWD! The pics are awesome! Jose and Nate still have mine. They are working on the wiring harness for the ECU which will need some customization. Once we get that figured out, on to the Supercharger. Believe me, I know how long these things can take. When I first started my build, the off-road/overlanding shop had it for a total of like 3 months, now the SC install...but it will be worth it. Good luck with all your changes!!

 

[AWD]

So as explained in previous posts my Element has changed hands during this build and the new mechanic has been trying to pick up the pieces. The latest challenge (as explained to me) is that when my Element starts it is not connecting with the OEM 05 ECU. My car has electricity (lights work, extra) and my ECU has been tested separately and boots up fine. My new mechanic has tested all the fuses and now suspects some sort of bad relay/ wiring issue...

See video link below. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[AWD]

Also need some feedback on finding a 7-rib 78 inch belt to fit my custom setup. I thought I found one on Ebay but it is a poly-v and our Elements use a micro-v so I think they are different width, right?

Continental ContiTech Poly-V V-Belt, 780L7, Ribbed, 7 Rib, 0.185" Width, 0.38" H | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Continental ContiTech Poly-V V-Belt, 780L7, Ribbed, 7 Rib, 0.185" Width, 0.38" H at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[Gio Angelo]

poly-v and...micro-v

These are just marketing terms specific to different manufacturers. If it is 7-ribs and for the same type of application (i.e. accessory drive belt) then it should work, assuming of course your length measurement is correct

 

[AWD]

These are just marketing terms specific to different manufacturers. If it is 7-ribs and for the same type of application (i.e. accessory drive belt) then it should work, assuming of course your length measurement is correct

Thanks Gio. I talked with my tuner last night and have since ordered a Dayco 7-rib bet that should hopefuly fit well. We are still dealing with this ECU issue unfortunately.

 

[AWD]

Mechanics are still trying to get my Element started so we can put it on the dyno. I am trying to stay patient. My son was born last week and my mother in law is staying with us.. so I have been quite distracted lately.

 

[AWD]

So as explained in previous posts my Element has changed hands during this build and the new mechanic has been trying to pick up the pieces. The latest challenge (as explained to me) is that when my Element starts it is not connecting with the OEM 05 ECU. My car has electricity (lights work, extra) and my ECU has been tested separately and boots up fine. My new mechanic has tested all the fuses and now suspects some sort of bad relay/ wiring issue...

See video link below. Anyone have any ideas?

Ok, I really need some support from you all! Today we had an automotive electrician spend four hours chasing this ECU issue and he was unable to diagnose the problem. Apparently the ECU has "no ground." They tried four different ECU's today with no luck. As reported in a previous post my ECU powers up fine when tested on it's own. Today was disheartening and it feels like we are back to square 1 now. Has anyone experienced a similar issue? Please chime in with suggestions for a solution..

 

[AWD]

So the latest update is that my mechanics were finally able to power on the ECU after switching some plugs! This was only after receiving some invaluable tips from the guys on Boosted Elements FB page. I think the TPS wiring and MAP wiring were mixed up causing an immobilizer issue which we are still sorting out. Anyways, I feel like we now have some wind back in our sails. We are one step closer to getting the Element on the dyno.

In other news... I am officially turning into an old man because I am so proud of my garage. For the first time I am a homeowner and have a garage (never had a garage until now). After it being full of boxes/ furniture/ misc. (recently moved) I finally organized everything and made space for our cars. Anyone else hanging their rear seats?

 

[AWD]

Ok gang here is the latest update, hot off the press!

We finally got the Element to turn over and start today! Aside from connecting sensors backwards the mechanic who initially started my build (and eventually quit) left my key in the ignition while letting the battery die. This meant that we needed my two OEM ignition keys reprogrammed with an expensive scanner to bypass immobilizer security feature. We did this today and were finally able to get that spark we have waited so long for. My team and I are so stoked. We have a few more issues to rule out and address but we can see the light at the end of the tunnel now that we got the engine running! Thanks for the support thus far which has helped me sustain hope during month 5 of this build. Can't wait to tell you guys that we hit the dyno. Stay tuned!

 

[Jet9RDO]

Ok gang here is the latest update, hot off the press!

We finally got the Element to turn over and start today! Aside from connecting sensors backwards the mechanic who initially started my build (and eventually quit) left my key in the ignition while letting the battery die. This meant that we needed my two OEM ignition keys reprogrammed with an expensive scanner to bypass immobilizer security feature. We did this today and were finally able to get that spark we have waited so long for. My team and I are so stoked. We have a few more issues to rule out and address but we can see the light at the end of the tunnel now that we got the engine running! Thanks for the support thus far which has helped me sustain hope during month 5 of this build. Can't wait to tell you guys that we hit the dyno. Stay tuned!

Hey AWD! That’s awesome. Nathan ran into a similar problem with my build- because we had to use an Acura TSX ECU, the immobilizer would not let the car start/run. The local dealer would not reprogram the key (I think they are trained not to do that so they don’t help a thief) so Nathan had to order another Acura ECU with a matching immobilizer and key. That did the trick along with a custom wiring harness to re-pin the sensors from the Element layout to the Acura layout. Nathan is going to document the heck out if it for future use. We are on the way too- hopefully done in a couple of weeks in time for me to take on a trip to CO and back. Can’t wait to hear about yours when its making real power!

 

[AWD]

Hey AWD! That’s awesome. Nathan ran into a similar problem with my build- because we had to use an Acura TSX ECU, the immobilizer would not let the car start/run. The local dealer would not reprogram the key (I think they are trained not to do that so they don’t help a thief) so Nathan had to order another Acura ECU with a matching immobilizer and key. That did the trick along with a custom wiring harness to re-pin the sensors from the Element layout to the Acura layout. Nathan is going to document the heck out if it for future use. We are on the way too- hopefully done in a couple of weeks in time for me to take on a trip to CO and back. Can’t wait to hear about yours when its making real power!

Yeah, this immobilizer stuff is no joke. Apparently the special scanner we had to use costs like $10000, and I am lucky I had a spare OEM key because you need two keys to even program.

 

[AWD]

Ok, we continue to make solid progress. Apparently an AEM fuel pump I bought was DOA so we replaced it with a new Deatschwerks one and voila! In the video link below you will hear my mechanic singing with excitement. Be advised, some inappropriate language in video. I think this long, ongoing- build, with one obstacle after another... has made us all a little crazy.