How much horsepower can you get out of a K24?

The K24 family can run from roughly 160–210 horsepower in stock form, and with careful tuning and upgrades you can push well past 300 horsepower naturally aspirated. With forced induction, confident builds commonly land in the 350–550 horsepower range, and a fully built bottom end can push toward 600–700 horsepower or more. The exact numbers depend on the specific K24 variant, supporting hardware, and how far you’re willing to go with fabrication and tuning.

Understanding the K24 family

The K24 is a 2.4-liter inline-four used across multiple Honda and Acura models. Power output varies by variant and application, with differences in intake, exhaust, ECU calibration, and emissions constraints. In stock form, most K24 engines produce roughly 160–210 horsepower, depending on the model year and market. If you’re planning a build, identify your exact engine code (for example, common K24A and K24Z variants) because that determines the baseline and the most effective upgrade path.

Why horsepower varies by variant

Different K24 variants were tuned for different uses—from daily drivers to sportier models—so the factory horsepower figures differ. The same displacement can see a spread of a few dozen horsepower between variants, and the supporting systems (fuel, intake, exhaust, ECU) influence how much headroom you have for upgrades.

Natural aspiration: how much power can you extract without forced induction

Below is a snapshot of typical improvement ranges for NA (naturally aspirated) work on a K24, from bolt-ons through more advanced head work. These numbers are approximate and depend on the exact variant, condition of the engine, fuel quality, and tuning.

• Stock baseline: most K24s run about 160–210 hp from the factory, depending on variant and market.


• Bolt-ons and tune: basic upgrades such as a better intake, headers, a less-restrictive exhaust, and a remap can add roughly 20–60 hp, bringing most builds into the 180–270 hp range.


• Induction and breathing upgrades: larger throttle bodies, port matching, and intake manifolds can yield another 20–40 hp with proper tuning, potentially pushing NA power toward 260–310 hp.


• Valvetrain and compression improvements: cam upgrades, high-flow valves, and higher compression pistons can contribute an additional ~20–60 hp, depending on overlap with fuel/tuel tuning and reliability considerations.

For enthusiasts aiming for the upper end of NA capability, a well-planned combination of head work, cam timing, optimized intake flow, and reliable tuning is essential. However, NA gains taper as you push toward the high 300s, and reliability or drivability can become concerns without careful craftsmanship and engineering.

Forced induction: turbo or supercharger

Boosted K24 builds are where horsepower really scales, but they require substantial supporting upgrades and careful engineering. Below are typical ranges seen in common boosted applications, noting that results vary widely with hardware quality and tuning.

• Mild turbo/supercharger builds (roughly 6–9 psi): 350–450 hp with solid fueling and cooling; suitable for streetable setups but still demanding on the drivetrain.


• Moderate boost with upgraded internals and fueling: 450–550 hp; most enthusiasts consider this a practical high-performance target for daily-driven cars with a turbo kit and a tuned ECU.


• High-boost or forged-bottom-end builds: 600–700+ hp; requires forged pistons/rods, beefed-up crank, upgraded head studs, proper intercooling, exhaust, and meticulous tuning.

Boosted builds carry greater stress on the engine, cooling system, transmission, and fueling system. Achieving the upper ranges reliably often means a purpose-built bottom end, improved oiling, and frequent maintenance. Real-world results depend heavily on the tune, fuel quality, and how the system manages heat and detonation.

Limitations and considerations

Several factors cap and shape potential horsepower gains in a K24. The variant code determines the stock baseline and some of the practical headroom. The engine family responds best to clean intake flow, efficient exhaust, and precise calibration of fueling and timing. Reliability becomes a major concern as horsepower increases; the stock crank, rods, pistons, and head gaskets may need reinforcement for sustained high output. Fuel delivery, cooling, and transmission capacity are also critical considerations for any high-power build.

Choosing a path: naturally aspirated or boosted

Your goal, budget, and intended vehicle use should guide the path you choose. NA builds emphasize linear power delivery and reliability, while boosted setups deliver significantly more peak horsepower but demand more engineering, tuning, and parts.

• NA focus: prioritize head flow, cam profiles, compression ratio, and ECU tuning for the best clean, reliable power.


• Boost focus: plan for a robust bottom end, a capable fueling system, intercooling, a quality turbo or supercharger kit, and a tuning strategy that avoids detonation while keeping temperatures in check.

Both approaches can deliver exciting performance; the right mix depends on how you plan to drive the car, how much you’re willing to invest, and how much reliability you require for daily use or track sessions.

Real-world takeaways

In the modern K24 landscape, practical power goals look like this: stock 160–210 hp; NA builds typically land around 230–320 hp with a thoughtful combination of upgrades; boosted builds commonly achieve 350–550 hp, with the upper ranges achievable by carefully engineered, forged-bottom-end setups. Always work with a tuner who understands K-series engines and ensure supporting systems (fuel, cooling, transmission, and electronics) keep pace with the horsepower target.

Summary

Across the K24 family, horsepower scales with intent and investment. Stock figures sit around 160–210 hp, natural aspiration gains can push toward the 300 hp mark with careful tuning, and forced induction opens a wide range from roughly 350 hp up to 600–700+ hp for built, high-budget builds. The exact ceiling depends on the engine variant, the quality of components, and the precision of the build and tune. For anyone pursuing more power from a K24, a clear plan, reliable parts, and a trusted tuner are essential to balance performance with durability.

How to get 350 hp out of a K24?

Here's how to get 350. Horsepower out of a K24. A2 using vividracing.com. First we're starting big with race cams from Brian Crower. And Skunk 2 second is going to be an upgraded intake manifold.

What is the power limit on the K24?

A stock K24 can handle up to 400–500 horsepower, while a built K24 with upgraded internals like rods and pistons can handle 600–700 hp or more. The engine's power capacity is directly tied to its internal components; for power beyond the 500 hp mark, upgrading internals is essential for reliability. For extreme power levels, further modifications like stronger cylinder sleeves and other supporting modifications are necessary. 
This video explains why Honda K20/K24 engines are so powerful and durable: 54s337 SPEEDYouTube · Jul 9, 2022
Stock internal K24

• 400–500 hp: A stock K24 with a turbo kit and proper tuning can reliably support this power level. 
• 600+ hp: Some builds have exceeded 600 hp on a stock bottom end with supporting mods like upgraded injectors and a good tune. However, this is pushing the limits of the factory components. 

Built internal K24

• 600–700 hp: With upgraded connecting rods, pistons, and other parts, the K24 can handle this power range, notes TunerGenix and High Performance Academy. 
• 800+ hp: This is possible with stronger cylinder sleeves and a combination of other high-performance components, says Reddit users. 
• 1200+ hp: With a full build including aftermarket sleeves and other extensive modifications, power levels exceeding 1200 hp are possible, according to High Performance Academy. 

What to consider when upgrading

• Supporting modifications: Simply upgrading the engine's power capacity is not enough. You will also need to upgrade the transmission, clutch, and suspension to handle the power and put it to the ground effectively, says MotorTrend. 
• Tuning: A professional tune is crucial for maximizing performance and ensuring engine reliability, especially when dealing with forced induction. 
• Oil squirters and pumps: Some economy K24 blocks may lack oil squirters for the pistons, which are important for high-stress applications. You may also need to upgrade the oil pump, especially when aiming for high RPMs, notes High Performance Academy. 

How much HP can the K24 handle?

A stock K24 can handle around 400-500 horsepower before needing internal upgrades for more power. Pushing beyond this mark, especially over 500-600 hp, requires upgrading internal components like rods and pistons, and often necessitates a stronger transmission, suspension, and engine management system to be reliable. Some modified K24 builds with internal upgrades have been built to handle up to 800 hp or more. 
Stock K24

• 400-500 hp: A stock K24 can reliably handle a turbocharger or supercharger in this power range with a good tune. 
• Limitations: Beyond 500 hp, the stock connecting rods and other internals become a weak point. 

Modified K24

• 600 hp: This is achievable with a well-built K24, but it's a point where reliability starts to decrease unless internal components are upgraded. 
• 700+ hp: Reaching this level requires significant internal upgrades, such as stronger rods, pistons, and potentially a reinforced block with stronger sleeves. 
• 1000+ hp: This is possible with a fully built K24, including the most robust internals and a reinforced block. 

Important considerations

• Tune: A proper tune is critical for any K24, but especially for modified or high-horsepower builds. 
• Transmission: The stock transmission will not handle power levels much higher than 400-500 hp without upgrades. 
• Supporting mods: For any significant power increase, upgrades to the fuel system, suspension, and brakes are also necessary. 

Is K20 or K24 better?

Neither the K20 nor the K24 is inherently "better"; the choice depends on your goals. The K24 offers more torque and is better for daily driving due to its larger displacement, while the K20 is more "rev happy" and has higher peak horsepower potential at higher RPMs. A popular high-performance hybrid is combining a K24 block with a K20 cylinder head to gain the benefits of both.
 
K24

• Pros:
  • More low-end torque and power, making it more driveable for daily use. 
  • Greater peak power potential due to its larger displacement. 
  • Often more affordable to acquire. 
• Cons:
  • Has a lower redline and is less "rev happy" than the K20. 
  • Some base models lack high-performance features like piston oil squirters and a high-flowing head, requiring modifications for maximum performance. 

K20

• Pros:
  • Has a higher revving nature and can produce more horsepower at higher RPMs. 
  • Smaller displacement makes it ideal for lightweight chassis. 
• Cons:
  • Lacks low-end torque compared to the K24. 
  • Can require more modifications to reach the power potential of a stock K24, especially for low-end torque. 

Hybrid option

• K24 with K20 head: A common and effective build is to use a K24 block (for its displacement and torque) with a K20 head (for its higher revving characteristics and better airflow). This combination provides a good balance of both engines' strengths.