Chozn4service’s 2006 Honda Element

This is the first stage of two. Seen here is the tail pipe finisher for the Gibson exhaust system. I've since bought another finisher and I'm waiting on my mechanic to call so we can turn single the single exhaust into a dual. A simple "Y" behind the muffler and running another section of pipe iover to the drivers side in front of the rear axle and on towards the back. Should look pretty sharp once done and just make it sound that much more better.

I'd like to give a shout out and special thanks to James Robinson of the Honda Testing Research Center (TRC) with the ball cap on, for his vast knowledge, hospitality and driving skill in allowing myself and several others from the EOC to ride in the Element-D Project vehicle. James and the crew went through multiple sets of BFGoodrich tires, which only lasted about five minutes during our runs.

Current Modification List EOC Sticker Blacked Out and Cleared Headlights 2007 Grill Mod Smoked Tail Lights ADR Venomous 18” custom wheels & center caps Michelin  ENERGY MXV-4 S-8, 235/55/18 tires   Honda OEM Accessories:   (From H & A and Majestic Honda)     Front Bug Deflector SC Carpet Floor Mats All Weather Rubber Mats (modified) Splash Guards Side Steps Fog Lights               Rear Spoiler  Cargo Cover Front Bumper Trim Rear Bumper Trim Locking gas Cap Element SC Leather Shift Knob Honda Pilot Leather Steering Wheel  Side Body Molding Lower Side Body Cladding Smoked Side Marker Lights Red Honda "H" JDM Style ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ VentShade 4 Pc Door Visors Billet Oil Cap                          G-Bags Headlight EyeLids i-VTEC Decals Honda Element Japanese Script ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   Mods Done:  SC Console                                            Tinted Tail Lights Painted Dash Pieces Webasto Front Power Sunroof Heated Front Passenger Seats Painted Manifold & Spark Covers             Gibson Exhaust (Dual) Invisible Door Edge Guards Pilot Pads Fog Light Protectors 35% Tinted Windows Lower Bumper Guard South Coast Foglight inserts Carbon Fiber Hood Dampers Injen CAI Skunk2 Reservoir Tank Covers Rizo Carbon Fiber Pedals Carbon Fiber Dash Kit Carbon Fiber Recover on SC Console Lid     On The Drawing Board:                                                           Tein Coilover or KSport lowering kit Rear Wheel Well Cut-out and Rolled Seat Covers 2009 Element in Dash Sat/Nav System     This list doesn't reflect all the things that I put on and later took off, like the OEM roof rack, storage console, etc.  but it does give you and a good idea how the direction on my ride has changed a few times. The Precious is still a work in progress, as I try to get it where I want it to be. The good news is, I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.   Peace!     chozn4service         EOC StickerBlacked Out and Cleared Headlights2007 Grill ModSmoked Tail LightsADR Venomous 18” custom wheels & center capsMichelin  ENERGY MXV-4 S-8, 235/55/18 tires Honda OEM Accessories:   (From H & A and Majestic Honda)  Front Bug DeflectorSC Carpet Floor MatsAll Weather Rubber Mats (modified)Splash GuardsSide Steps

Finally, finally I got my Skunk2 lower control arms installed. A good friend of mine, of some 27yrs did this install for me.  He also installed my Suspension Technique Sway bars. Now if you know anything about  Suspension Technique, their bars come in a flourescent  Lime Green which would have never worked for the Precious. I had them powedercoated at Indy Procoat which happens to do a lot of powder coating for Vance & Hines, Larry Dixon many other profession racers who have their home base or shops in Indianapolis. I was very pleased with the work the owner, John. They also powder coated my strut bar as well.

The Precious was finally lowered with the Tein Coilovers on 4-23-09 by Modified Automotive Design of Indianapolis. I would like to extend my thanks to the owner Jeff and his crew of techs and special thanks to Mike who did the work. In Mike's words, if you don't put gas, oil or start it up, he's not into it. My drop with the Teins is a cool 28" in the front and a smooth 29 in the rear. It's not a radical drop by any means but its better than what it was and the ride is so much better. It turns flat, super flat with zero body roll. I'm impressed with what the new Suspension Technique sway bars and Skunk2 lower control arms did for the ride. Sweet!

My newest mod was done on 5/22 by Visual Dynamics of Indianapolis. Special thanks to Greg Murphy who owns the shop. Greg by recommendation of Penske Honda installed an Autopage full alarm with remote start and while he was at it, he installed a Honda S2000 push button start too. Basic principle is, you incert the key, turn to II position and then push the button and the car starts. Its pretty trick and different as well.

for all of its parent and sister clubs. The EOC, ROC (Ridgeline Owners Club) and the CR-V members were asked to come together for the meet held at the East Liberty Ohio plant.  Well over 85 Elements alone drove to Columbus (Dublin), Ohio for this event and 35 Ridgeline owners came as well. This was a significant showing for any car club. This two day event included a tour of the East Liberty Plant so we could see plant operations in the building of the Element and the CR-V. We also had a tailgate party after the tour and on day two we were treated with demonstrations at TRC. Honda's Testing and Research Center which is owned by Ohio State University but managed by Honda. We were treated like royalty by Honda and this tour is something that everyone who owns a Honda should witness. In fact, anyone who owns a car period should see the Honda Ops. If your automaker doesn't do it like

Webasto front sunroof by Indy Auto Spa

I added the hood dampers. These are a plus as far as I'm concerned when it comes to under the hood "things to do". Not having to use that prop stick that Honda is known for is so, so nice. Pop the hood release and raise it like most US cars. I chose the carbon fiber dampers over the chrome ones. They give the Precious just what she needed and I have another modification in mind that will just make it look off the hook, once I find some time to pull it off. The dampers are from NRG but I obtained them through IslandMotorSports and they're the ones listed for the Acura TSX

I wasn't an Element fan initially but the '03 got handed down to me as my primary transportation and I became very comfortable with it to the point, I couldn't see myself in anything else.  I slowly got bit by the "Mod Bug" as we term it on the EOC boards (http://www.elementownersclub.com) and the rest is history.

I want all the things that I was used to in my Lexus GS400, in my Element. As a good friend and mentor ( Chief aka Darth Raider) of mine said "The Precious" is in a state where if you wanted an Element with a particular package, what I have done is what you should be able to check on the option list and get. Heated seateds are real nice!

Like I said, the creature comforts are very important to me. Having the passenger side door lock was a big mod for me. For some reason Honda doesn't like to have this feature on some of their cars. A simple order of the drivers side door handle and trim kit from Japan, a standard US lock/unlock switch from your local dealer and running a wiring harness to the drivers side and tapping into the existing lock/unlock wires and a ground, you're cooking with gas!

There is so much more I would like to do to The Precious. Like I said, its a work in progress. Some of the things on my to do list include but are not limited to:a drop in ride height by 1.5 to 1.7", dual tail pipes, remote start system, rear quarter glass panel mod, upper black out body paint and there could be some body parts in the future.Like I said, its a work in progress. I have great friends and associates who have inspired and motivated me in taking The Precious well beyond, where my first Element was.

Again, I'd like to give a Mad Shout out to Penske Honda for the 4 Wheel Alignment. No body treats me so well when it comes to my Honda like Penske.  Finally completed the Dual Exhuast Mod. I have even flow coming out both sides and the system is completely removable it need be. Two clamps before the rear axle and the entire dual system can come off. Sound is great! Nice and deep, throaty rumble but not a ricey sound. Fast and Furious I'm not!

My newest mod was done on 5/22 by Visual Dynamics of Indianapolis. Special thanks to Greg Murphy who owns the shop. Greg by recommendation of Penske Honda installed an Autopage full alarm with remote start and while he was at it, he installed a Honda S2000 push button start too. Basic principle is, you incert the key, turn to II position and then push the button and the car starts. Its pretty trick and different as well.

Tinted Tail LightsPainted Dash PiecesWebasto Front Power SunroofHeated Front Passenger SeatsPainted Manifold & Spark Covers             Gibson Exhaust (Dual)Invisible Door Edge GuardsPilot Pads Fog Light Protectors35% Tinted WindowsLower Bumper GuardSouth Coast Foglight insertsCarbon Fiber Hood DampersInjen CAISkunk2 Reservoir Tank CoversRizo Carbon Fiber PedalsCarbon Fiber Dash KitCarbon Fiber Recover on SC Console Lid  On The Drawing Board:

I added the hood dampers. These are a plus as far as I'm concerned when it comes to under the hood "things to do". Not having to use that prop stick that Honda is known for is so, so nice. Pop the hood release and raise it like most US cars. I chose the carbon fiber dampers over the chrome ones. They give the Precious just what she needed and I have another modification in mind that will just make it look off the hook, once I find some time to pull it off. The dampers are from NRG but I obtained them through IslandMotorSports and they're the ones listed for the Acura TSX