I think I want an AWD Turbo Honda Element...

As you may recall, I have been trying to help a friend find a used Honda Element. In the course of learning about these things, I've decided that I really like them. It's one of those vehicles that I never would have considered as a new car but, as a used car at one third the price, I find them appealing. I decided that if I find a five speed that needs a clutch, I'll jump all over it.

But they need a little more power. Since everybody else adds turbos to Hondas, I'm starting to think about an AWD Element with a small turbo. I'm not looking to turn it into an STi, but just give it a little boost. And, if I happen across that five speed that needs a clutch, maybe it would be a good time to learn how to add that cheap sixth gear.

I have done approximately zero research into the feasibility of this, though I'm sure that I'm not the first one to think of it. I've been out of the Honda game for a while. What do I need to know and where do I need to look?

I like this idea, watching with interest. :)

The 6th gear swap is easy, and about $150-200 in parts

I had an 07 element sc, loved every minute of it. And actually, the manual version is quite peppy. Only reason I got rid of it was gas milage and its a little less baby friendly than a 2012 fit. I stuffed so much stuff in the back of that thing. Everyone was amazed (they are by the fit too) at the way the seats fold and the amount of room available with them folded.

Woody, your initial thread put Elements on my radar screen. I'm thinking FWD 5 speed just for the sake of simplicity, but AWD/turbo/6MT in a boxy utility vehicle makes happy.

Obviously without a being a dime a dozen in the boneyards, the Acura RDX might not be a Grassroots engine donor to an Element, but would there be anything aside from budget and finding an engine keeping a GRMer from putting that together with this 6MT mod and AWD? Because that would be a pretty cool cocktail.

A quick Google turned up the Element Owners Club. Turbo kits are out there although quality seems to vary. One guy on the forum is apparently pushing 400 hp out of his.

They were sold with AWD and 5 spd manuals, so I'm not sure a 6 spd swap would be worth the effort.

The 6spd "swap" is just inserting a 6th gear from a tsx and an output shaft (and some other odds and ends) in the 5spd casing. It's $200 in parts. The first guy that did his said his overall mpg to date after the 6th gear swap was right at 30mpg. (This is also in super flat Florida)

BAMF wrote: Obviously without a being a dime a dozen in the boneyards, the Acura RDX might not be a Grassroots engine donor to an Element, but would there be anything aside from budget and finding an engine keeping a GRMer from putting that together with this 6MT mod and AWD? Because that would be a pretty cool cocktail.

I know tuning sucks. And the rdx turbo engine is completely different than any other k. Not even sure a manual trans would bolt up. (It's not like all the other k's. block design is different and things do NOT interchange like every other d-b-h-k Honda has)

Google "Hellement.".

Eurobeaner wrote:

BAMF wrote: Obviously without a being a dime a dozen in the boneyards, the Acura RDX might not be a Grassroots engine donor to an Element, but would there be anything aside from budget and finding an engine keeping a GRMer from putting that together with this 6MT mod and AWD? Because that would be a pretty cool cocktail.

I know tuning sucks. And the rdx turbo engine is completely different than any other k. Not even sure a manual trans would bolt up. (It's not like all the other k's. block design is different and things do NOT interchange like every other d-b-h-k Honda has)

I asked about an rdx engine RE: a civic swap, and here is what I learned/was told:
they don't mount the same as any other
no man trans bolts up to it, not even the other k series
they be expensive (and a k24 will reach 400hp stock block no problem, so why bother with this oddball engine with little aftermarket, and a lot of difficulties?)
and I think that was it.

For the record, I wasn't talking about an engine swap, just adding a small turbo.

I don't know why everyone assumes Florida is flat. South FL, yes is flat. North of about Tampa on I75 is hills, I10 is hills, no they're not huge, but flat it isn't. That and I don't think anyone in FL responsible for designing or building roads has ever seen or dreamed of anything more than a 90 turn or a series of turns connected, and I wonder if their heads would explode if they encountered or were asked to build anything like the roads I've seen in the mountains.

Ok sorry for the rant, back to 6sp awd turbo elements. Great idea and I would be lying if I didn't admit to thinking about it almost immediately after learning about the 6th gear add on.

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25635

Eurobeaner wrote: http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25635

Yes, I've seen that, though I haven't gotten through all 51(!) pages yet.

And, on a side note, I can't stand forums that use that format. We've got a good deal here.

Great. I kinda wanted an Element before. Now more so. You bastard.

I believe today's NPOCP on Jalopnik is relevant to your interests: http://jalopnik.com/5949658/for-11800-this-hondas-completely-eli+mental

^^ was just about to link that

Spinout007 wrote: I don't know why everyone assumes Florida is flat. South FL, yes is flat. North of about Tampa on I75 is hills, I10 is hills, no they're not huge, but flat it isn't.

Haha, It's flatter than flat, Britton Hill is the highest point in all of FL, which is the lowest high point in the US, at 345 ft. FL is used as a flat reference when it comes to MPG because you don't get severe variations in MPG due to geography, that's usually why it's used.

but just give it a little boost.

I know you don't know it yet, but you are a filthy stinking liar.

Why would you need AWD in Florida anyways

One word.... sand

It's everywhere.

That and 300 awd HP came in mighty handy getting onto the interstate in one of the few automotive situations I thought I could possibly die in recent memory. Who the hell puts curbs on on ramps anyway?