No problem Brian, I come off that way constantly
The problem with newer Honda motors, especially the 4 cylinder in your Accord, is that they're already so well engineered from the factory that the intakes and exhaust are typically very free flowing (compared to f-bodies and a lot of American cars) and the backups come in the forms of fuel mapping, VCT control and other electronic controls that make the engine as efficient as possible instead of as performance oriented as possible. That's why aftermarket ECU bolt ons that change fuel mapping and VCT activation are so effective in the K series motor. An AEM cold air intake, which is pretty well engineered, will only get you 5 or 6 wheel horsepower on your Accord. Cold air intakes do give a big boost to the other K series engines (for reasons unknown to me...I think it has a lot to do with the agressive factory VCT settings and the DOHCs), and on the TSX and RSX motors have been proven to gain about 20 horsepower at the wheels. An exhaust might only give you another 5 or 6 horsepower...combined you're looking at another 15 WHP for about $1000.
You of all people should know that the horsies aren't cheap, and especially on your Accord. Unlike the small block V8s that you're accustomed to, your particular K24 has been made to be focused on fuel efficiency and economy. It would take a lot to make it fast, due to its relatively low compression ratio, soft VCT, and other engineering designs that make it as efficient as it is.
I have a friend with an old ass Mustang, and any little thing we do by ourselves produces huge gains with it because it's so damn choked up with emissions crap and untapped horsepower. Not the case with these engines...they've been wrung out by Honda pretty thoroughly.
There are threads for DIY intakes in the DIY section, do a search, but would you really want a piece of dryer hose in your engine bay on your brand new $20,000 car? That's my point I guess. Although if you'd like to do a before and after dyno with it I'd be more than interested to see the results
