Hey everyone. Just joined up, just bought my first Honda, a 2007 Element. I really like it so far, but it's a bit underpowered on the highway so I am looking at ways to boost the power.

Anybody have experience with Injen's cold air intake for the Element? I am trying to decide if that is the way I want to go or not, the reviews look good, but i'm worried about the potential waterhazards. I live in a snowy climate, and we get at least one or two rainstorms a year that flood the streets pretty good.

I suppose the easy answer would be "don't drive!" but this is my daily driver so it is a concern. Thanks for any advice.

Devon

 

Intakes don't make more power by themselves, just noise. If you did an intake, header, and exhaust w/ high flow cat you might get a couple HP.

OEM airboxes generally already pull in cool air from outside the engine bay BTW...

 

I can't say that an air intake is going to help you much there. You'll spend a few hundred dollars to be just as underpowered, albeit louder and more obnoxious-sounding...

It's a 2.4L 3600lbs van with huge tires and the aerodynamics of a refrigerator; it's not going to rocket down the highway without some serious help. If you wanted a sports car, you probably should have bought one.

 

The air intake is not going to gain you any power to be noticeable. It's not much of a power adder on its own.
Anyhow, you shouldn't run into any water problems with your cold air intake. Unless you're town floods quite a bit, or if you're planning to take for a water ride, you should be safe.
I've had plenty of Civic with a cold air intake and it's much lower than an Element. No problems at all.

 

That's the funniest thing I've heard all day, funny and true. I'm stealing this to use in my sig, btw.

Thanks for the heads up, guys. I know the L isn't a sports car, but at cruising range at 70-75 mph, the frequent downshift (where it seems to get stuck until i rev the engine) is a bit annoying however.

I have been trying to find good websites for upgrades and parts. I have never had a car that I've wanted to upgrade. Until now they've all been crummy GM cars, like a 93 Pontiac Grand Prix, or an Oldsmobile Cutlass. This is the first vehicle I have ever had that I consider Cool...

That being said, I want to spend some time and money to make it my own. I haven't been able to find many performance upgrades to the engine except intake and exhaust. Thus the question of the cold air intake.

I'll probably end up spending my dough on a sport exhaust first, and leave the intake alone until last, or until I decide the revs aren't loud enough.

Thanks again for the input

D

 

Well, let me know how it turns out =D