Honda first offered one of its most reliable engines, the K-series four-cylinder engine, in 2001, and over the past twenty-plus years made 18 variants including the version available today. Many consider the engine to be a model of exceptional efficiency, power, and reliability. Although it has had a few issues (no engine is without them) such as a front crankshaft seal oil leak, the K24 has demonstrated the capacity to reach at least 200,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Among the plentiful variants of the K24 engine, some consider the early K24A2 the best. Honda equipped several models with the engine including the Acura TSX in the U.S. (2004-2008), the JDM Honda Odyssey Absolute (2002-08), and the JDM Accord Type-S (2002-08). It developed a reputation for power, fuel efficiency, and durability. The 2006-08 Acura TSX fitted with a standard K24A2 produced 205 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 166 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm.
The K-series is perhaps Honda’s most adaptable engine family. In its stock configuration, the K24 is a DOHC VTEC design built with a lightweight aluminum block, high-flow cylinder head, and a 10.5:1 compression ratio. The base engine was the ideal platform for a moderate upgrade or a full-blown turbo setup without concern for degrading reliability. The addition of a turbocharger to the factory-stock K24 can boost the output to 400-500 horsepower. However, to retain the engine’s reliability, some internals should be replaced with heavy-duty race-oriented components. Transmission and suspension upgrades are also recommended to handle the additional horsepower.
[Featured image by Tennen-Gas via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | GNU Free Documentation License]
