The Element of Surprise
Written by: Tu Le aka OGdrift
Usually I come up with the title for my articles after writing the feature, but in this case I had already decided to title it "The Element of Surprise" after meeting Chief and his 2005 Element, and in the next few paragraphs I hope to bring to you all that makes this quirky Honda compact SUV a "one of a kind build."
When I was first asked to write this article on Mr. DeMarks' 2005 Honda Element, I was expecting your average build with the whole entire bolt on package and maybe some flashy wheels with stance, and man...was I proven wrong. By research, via Mr. P.M. "Chief" DeMarks Instagram account @darthraider_element, I could already tell that this was a dedicated Jdm/tuner build and like all top builds in this genre, especially in the Honda scene, there were many hidden surprises and lots of rare Jdm parts. Only being able to penetrate this build skin deep through Instagram pictures, I would soon find out the entirety of this unique build when I was finally able to link up with Chief for an interview.
Let's start off with what's most noticeable first and that would be the exterior. This Element boasts a three-tone pearl overlaid paint job with color codes taken from Mercedes and Porsche. Early model Elements come with grey plastic fenders and quarter panels for durability and prepping these is important to achieving a uniformed OEM finish. Before laying down the paint, Chief even lowered the roof height a couple inches by using the roof cladding from a newer Element SC model. Other parts from the SC model also include taillights and the rear bumper for an updated look.
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There are many small details that often can't be distinguished in a JDM build unless you are knowledgeable and have a good eye, or in this case, talking with the owner. For example, the JDM fog lights have been custom fitted by machined aluminum tunnel sleeves and what seems like ordinary headlights, is actually a set of JDM headlights with built in HID ballasts. The fenders are also the JDM version with integrated side markers. Rounding off the exterior are OEM side steps and trim, all painted the appropriate body tone. There's even a two-tone pin stripping done beautifully on the car with the front being protected by a 3m clear bra. Everything done right and to the upmost quality seems to be what's going on here.
www.ElementalMotorsports.com
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A most important aspect of the exterior is always going to be the wheels. I respect Chief's wheel choice, not only because he went with a two piece-forged setup, but also because he chose to keep it local with Dynamic Performance Engineering wheels manufactured right here in So Cal Anaheim. Being that it is hard to find anything aftermarket for the Element, these chrome DPE wheels were one set of maybe four that was ever made by this company during their R and D. Somehow Chief was able to obtain these 20x9.5", prototype wheels for the Element. These super shiny chromed 10 split-spoked DPE wheels are wrapped in nothing else but Toyo Proxes tires.
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Since we are already talking about one-off and rare custom parts, immediately seen when goods are popped is the ARC polished Intake box with the signature exposed ARC air filter. ARC international is a high end aftermarket company from Japan, besides standing for Abbey Road Company, ARC also means hard to get and hella expensive. This is the only ARC intake you are ever going to see on an Element because pretty much this is the only one that was ever made. Again, due to the unpopularity of the aftermarket scene for this car, many parts like this and even the prototype radiator shroud by ARC are one-off parts and never produced. Wow, talk about JDM rareness, there's going to be a waiting list for Element enthusiasts if Chief ever decides to do a part out.
A part out, however, will likely never happen. This is a build to last the ages. Underneath that iconic yellow Spoon Sports valve cover is a built K24. Upping the 2.4L to 254whp is done with the help of internals carried over from a K24 A4 engine from a TSX, mated with a port and polished head with upgrades from Skunk2 , Beck Arnley, and a ported RSX TB to help with air flow. There is a yellow Spoon color, port matched TSX intake manifold and a custom DC Sports header to add to all this madness.
There is a method to all this madness and that is the beauty of this build. Everything from the egr valves to c.a.r.b. numbers are all there, and with a high flow catalytic converter and reflashed RSX ecu with a Greddy emanage piggy back for additional fuel needs, there is no CEL. Yes, this fully built K24 passes Cali smog and it does so with the carefully thought out engine mods.
There is a method to all this madness and that is the beauty of this build. Everything from the egr valves to c.a.r.b. numbers are all there, and with a high flow catalytic converter and reflashed RSX ecu with a Greddy emanage piggy back for additional fuel needs, there is no CEL. Yes, this fully built K24 passes Cali smog and it does so with the carefully thought out engine mods.
There is so much to talk about on this "subtle" looking Element but before I get into the interior, I want to draw attention to the suspension that makes for the incredible stance of this car. Theres not many "stanced" Elements around because let's face it, people were attracted to this car for outdoor activities such as camping and not car meets. Chief, on the other hand has made this into an urban cruising machine by opting for an air ride system instead of a lift kit. Piecing together adjustable Ksport coilovers with UA air bags and a Air Lift 3p management system, the element is at the right ride height for any situation.
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Coming from the stance scene I am mostly drawn by the way Chief's Element sits. The chrome 20" DPE wheels is at the perfect position when it is aired out, just slightly hitting the radius of the fender wheel well giving it that clean look. Wheels and stance is very important and with the addition of Rotora bbk on all four corners, the Element is on another level. Low riding stance, chrome wheels, and shiny brakes, what more do you want?
Well if you were Chief, you would also want to completely modify the interior as well. Again,subtle things that are not noticed normally are the rear Jdm issue bench seats and with everything reupholstered in leather. There is a Jdm center console that has been fitted with a push start button from an S2000. Little historical details, such as the 40th anniversary Nardi steering wheel, and the horn button off a classic Honda, are only brought up during conversation. Keeping to the clean Jdm theme, there are upgrades to the inside car entertainment with a newer 2011 Element navigation head unit and the sounds are clean throughout the DynaMatted cabin with Pioneer speakers and Kicker subs.
For such a subtle looking highly modified car, I can go fully in depth with this write up but i hope i have covered enough to give you a general feel and vibe of what Chief had intended for this build. Chief has been into cars ever since his first car show back in '67 and it is no surprise that his current build of this compact SUV is of the highest caliber. If you've been into cars this long, you know what you want and you know what you like.
Nowadays you have so many new people in the scene and while some build cars to be for sale on craigslist in a couple months, Chief builds his Element to be a treasured museum piece to be kept forever. It doesn't matter if you have a '64 Impala or a 2005 Element with only 60k miles, the love for cars and this hobby is the same. Whether it's a classic restomod, a Jdm/tuner build or even a trendy stance build, the passion is the same.
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If it's one thing I've learned from Chief, it's to just enjoy what you like to do and everything will fall into place. Mr. DeMarks, has been contributing to the car scene as a freelance writer and also as the editor for Ohana Luxury magazine. Enclosed is a build sheet for everything I left out and couldn't get to. Also on the build sheet are sponsors, build partners and acknowledgements that Chief would like to shout out. At first I thought this was just another tuner Element but as I got to talk with Chief and his build, it became the "Element of Surprise." because of all the amazing and rare custom parts on it. So the next time you see a clean Jdm build, don't just pass it up, if you can, try to talk with the owner and you can learn a thing or two, not just about cars but life in general.
EXTERIOR MODS:
Three-tone custom paint, Mercedes Black overlaid in a Blue Pearl, Mercedes Arabian Gray center section, and Porsche Pearl Platinum Silver bottom section: Webasto Hollandia 700 fully automatic moon roof system: Genuine Honda JDM factory HID headlights and yellow JDM Honda Fog Lights: Custom fabricated Aluminum Fog Light Tunnel Sleeves. Billet Chromed Upper and Lower Front Grills with JDM Honda emblem: Element SC Roof Cladding. Element SC Tail Lights (with 5 Star LED’s), and SC Rear Bumper with a body toned SC Rear Splash Guards: Honda JDM Front Fenders with JDM (LED) Side Marker Lights (blink sequentially with the turn signals): Weathertech Full Channel Side Window Visors. Body toned OEM Side Steps. OEM Front Bumper Trim, Rocker Panel Trim, OEM Rear Spoiler, 55 Watt PIAA Custom Fog Lights: OEM Bug Deflector. Custom Tinted Glass. Custom 3M 8mm Invisible Bra: Honda Element lettering in Japanese script: Custom designed Two-Toned Pin Striping.
INTERIOR MODS:
Backyard Custom Interiors two-tone leather interior with JDM Element Rear Seats. South Coast Accessories: Deluxe Full Carpet Kit. Custom Brushed Aluminum Center Panel, Meter Panel, and Switch Panel Plates: Element SC Leather Shift Knob. NRG Brushed Aluminum Hand E-Brake Handle. Nardi Leather Steering Wheel: with custom made “Classic Honda” Center Cap: NRG black Carbon Fiber Quick Release: OEM Cargo Cover and Cargo Mat: Razo Aluminum and Carbon Fiber Gas Pedal, Brake Pedal and Dead Pedal Plate; Ursa Minor Dead Pedal: JDM Center Console Face Plate: with OEM Honda S2000 Start Button; Red JDM Emergency Flasher Button. Custom fabricated Mugen billet aluminum door sills: Custom Billet Aluminum Emergency Brake Handle; Custom Emergency Brake Handle Leather Boot: OEM Black Storage Arm Rest; “Raiders” Carpeted Floor Mats & Elemental Motorsports Carpeted Cargo Mat.
AUDIO MODS:
2011 Honda Element OEM Navigation System with CD/MPC & XM Satellite Radio: with custom Rear Window Back-Up Camera; Upgraded Pioneer Speakers (TS-D1602R and TS-D1320C), with an Kicker 150 Watt Dual Voice Sub-Woofer; Blox Racing 2” Stubby Antenna: Complete interior doors, ceiling, and floors done in DynaMat.
ENGINE MODS:
254whp/ 230trq./ 2.4-liter K24 A4 engine. Bore 83mm/ Stroke 87mm. TSX RL 5 pistons and rings with a 10.1 compression ratio: RSX Type S Oil Pump: Eagle “ESP” Connecting Rods; ‘One-off’ ARC Polished Aluminum Super Air Intake Box: one-off ARC Polished Aluminum Cooling Plate: ARC Aluminum Radiator: ARC High Pressure Radiator Cap: Spoon Sports Oil Filler Cap: ARC Titanium Spark Plug Wire Cover. Okada Projects Plasma Direct Ignition Coils: Spoon Sports DC5 K-20 Valve Cover: SAMCO Silicone Hoses: JDM Oil Dip Stick: NRG Innovations RSX Carbon Fiber Hood Dampers: Optima Yellow Top Battery with Kicker Bass Capacitors: TSX Z3 Ported and Polished Cylinder Head: Skunk2 Stage II Camshafts: Skunk2 Tuner Series Valve Springs: Skunk2 TI Retainers: “Series K” Keepers: Beck Arnley Rocker Arms: Hybrid Racing Timing Chain Tensioner: custom fabricated DC Sports RSX 4-2-1 Type S Header System: TSX Ported RBB Intake Manifold: RSX Ported Throttle Body: K-Tuned Fuel Rail with Fuel Pressure Gauge: Ingalls Engine Torque Damper.
ELECTRONIC/ECU MODS:
Re-flashed 2006 Canadian Premium RSX ECU: with a Greddy e-Manage piggy-back programmable fuel management system: RSX 02 Sensor
TRANSMISSION:
A modified 2007 Element SC 6-speed AT: Replaced the reverse gear, fourth gear, and the reverse selector on the countershaft. Control Valve Assemblies were custom calibrated and new ‘sintered bronze’ aftermarket bushings were put in. Installed a gear splitter between the fourth and fifth gears, plus a hardened differential cross shaft, and replaced the reverse fork. New One-Way Clutches were installed. The main shaft, the countershaft, and the secondary shaft were tested for stress with ultra-sonic sound; as well as the Transfer Gears and the Differential Ring Gear to reduce fracturing.
FUEL/EXHAUST MODS:
NRG Innovations Oil Catch Can; CT Engineering High Flow Injectors; Magnum Performance High Flow Catalytic Converter RSX Type-S; NGK Oxygen Sensor; Denso Iridium Power Performance Plugs; Ingen Technology ESE 1726 Cat-Back Exhaust System; ‘Sebring Tubing’ Double Wall Stainless Steel Exhaust Tip:
WHEELS & TIRES:
Chromed ‘two-piece forged 20X9.5” DPE’s (Dynamic Performance Engineering) proto-types with a custom 38.9mm off-sets: DPE Limited Edition Red Crested Center Caps: Toyo Proxes 4’s (225X35X20) front and rear.
SUSPENSION MODS:
A completely custom designed air suspension system by ICE BOXX CUSTOMS: featuring a Bluetooth 3P Air Management System from Air Lift Performance: Viair Air Compressor: Universal Airbags: Suspension Techniques Anti Sway Bars: Skunk2 Lower Control Arms: Eibach Rear Camber Kit, Ingalls Front Camber Bolts. Moog Front End Steering Pack and TSX inverted tie rods.
BRAKES:
Rotara 13” Two-Piece Drilled and Slotted Rotors: Rotara 4-Piston (two-piece) Calipers. H2 High Ceramic Carbon Brake Pads: Steel Braided Brake Lines: Carbon Steel Mounting Brackets.
SPONSORS & BUILD PARTNERS: Island Motorsports, Inc: ICE BOXX Customs: Rotora Big Brake system: Feltenberger Performance: NRG Innovations: Toyo Tires: South Coast Accessories: NPB Enterprises: with special acknowledgments to Premier Paint & Auto Body: Backyard Custom Interiors: SAMCO Silicone Hoses: J’s-Garage Export (Japan): Coach Auto Restyler, Inc: Whetstone Pinstriping: Fantasy Muffler.
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FEATURED PUBLICATIONS:Honda Tuning Magazine/ Super Street (online magazine)
USDM FREAX Magazine/ Driving Line Magazine OHANA Luxury Magazine (Cover) |
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
Regi &Lisa at Island Motorsports: my son PJ: Elemental Motorsports Crew: My license plate reads “YOKOKE” which is “Thankful” in Choctaw, and I truly am thankful to everyone who helped make my dream a reality!