Power is relative. Putting 200 hp in a 1000-pound truck is more than enough to scare the pants off of someone, even though it is just 200hp. Driving our 2.4L, four-cylinder Project Element around town left much to be desired in the feel-of-the-pants rush that is the norm in the custom truck world. Wanting more power from the claimed 160hp engine, we contacted Injen Technology, in Pomona, California, for its complete power package designed especially for the Element. Using Injen's new RD series cold-air intake and the SES exhaust, we eliminated the restrictive stock parts and added dyno-proven aftermarket parts that not only work and look better but give the little Element some much needed sound. Another perk: The Injen intake and exhaust is legal in all 50 states. Easy install is putting it lightly; the exhaust is held on by four hangers and two spring bolts directly behind the catalytic converter. The intake did require removing the front fascia, but the all-plastic piece was only held on by eight small screws and little plastic trim clips. Wanting to give you the best story we could, we contacted Brother's Performance in Corona, California, for use of their dyno facility. In less than two hours, we installed the intake and exhaust with enough time to make three separate dyno runs. Check out the results and give Injen a call for more Element power.
On The Dyno
We used the Dynojet 248C dyno at Brother's Performance in Corona, California, for our horsepower figures. We made a total of six runs: two stock, two with just the intake, and two with the intake and exhaust. Check out the numbers and give Injen a call to get more power out of your Element.
Fresh out of the box, the fully polished, two-piece kit was in prime condition. The kit included both intake tubes, a filter, clamps/hoses, and the mounting hardware. | 
To start things off, we used a flat screwdriver to remove the plastic retaining clips and an 8mm and 10mm socket to remove the screws. |
With screws and clips removed, the plastic radiator core support cover was removed. | 
Up next, the front fascia was pried loose and pulled off the Element. |
Removing the stock intake was a breeze. We used a Phillips screwdriver to loosen the hose clamps. | 
With the clamps loose, we used a 10mm socket to remove the three bolts holding down the panel filter box. |