teh CL

iTrader: (1)

So I'm at a crossroad with my CL-S. Since purchasing the car & swapping in the J35 I've put almost 20,000km in the 7 months she's been on the road. Hands down the most fun I've had in a car in my life & I can't really complain.

Originally I purchased the car to do the swap into my first gen since it had 300k & the idea of a J32 6 speed first gen is just sick. That idea didn't even last 5 minutes after sitting in the CL-S for the first time. She was rough around the edges exterior wise which was expected having 300k but what hooked me was the interior, it was MINT. The drive home was soo much fun even though the J32 was on its last leg, I knew this car needed to be reborn. That's where the J35 came in and well the rest is history.

Fast forward 7 months & 20,000km, she's still running strong as hell, shredding tire like it's no big deal lol. The problem is that the wear and tear of 300+K is starting to show. The fuel lines are rusted & starting to leak, I've priced it out and I'm looking at an easy $500 just for parts to replace all 3 fuel lines under the car. Driver quarter panel is rusted pretty damn good, and the bottom of the driver door is also starting to rust. To top it off the damn blower under the dash needs to be replaced since it's making noises that just piss me off. Needless to say, she needs a little more than TLC.

Now here's another scenario which goes back to my original plan when I initially purchased this car. My first gen CL has been sleeping peacefully for the last 7 months in the garage, out of sight, out of mind. She was suppose to be sold already but the buyer backed out. So the idea of a J35 6 speed first gen is back and my mind is brewing. The OG CL isn't in pristine condition by any means and actually has 290k but aged a lot better than the second gen did. Body is clean, there is minimal rust that is just starting out, has a walbro 255lph fuel pump, 500lbs lighter & IMO, looks wise it stands out more than the CL-S, can't get enough of it.

The swap isn't a walk in the park by any means but it's also doable. Best part is that I have 95% of what's needed to complete the swap between the complete CL-S & left over parts from my original J32 first gen (we don't like to talk about that car, RIP).

Here's my dilemma and reason for this thread. I'm really leaning towards doing the swap, it's almost locked in that it's going down but I still continue to daily the CL-S & I love the car, all around beast, just a shame that she's starting to fall apart.

So I wanna hear what you guys think, maintain the CL-S or J35 first gen?

YeuEmMaiMai

get a new car 300K is a lot of KM or mileage and will require a lot of work to get it right

CL-S progression 01

iTrader: (2)

i love my cls but she is getting old.. eventually everything breaks... next time the trans goes.. its new car time.. well newer car time

probably tl sh awd 6 speed

mike88se

500lbs lighter? If your goal is to go faster seems like an easy choice.

CLassy02

J35 gen 1 would be cool for sure.

brian6speed

iTrader: (5)

The car can stay in good condition for a while if you take care of it and garage it.

The first gen cl with 3.0 motor weighs 3285 lbs. The 6 speed 2nd Gen weighs 3446 lbs. That is less than 200 lbs, not sure where the 500 number came from.

I personally have no affection for the 1st gen cl and never even pay attention when I pass them. I like everything about 2nd Gen better but I am biased.

Sounds like both cars might be in rough shape.

teh CL

iTrader: (1)

There's no doubt that the car could have high mileage & still be in great condition, it's just that the CL-S had 6 owners before me and it's a safe bet that it saw Canadian winters it's whole life. I got the end result.

As for the weight, my first gen is a 2.3 5 spd which only weight 3062 lbs. I may have ball parked the 500 lbs but in reality it's 384 lbs. That's most definitely a noticeable weight difference, you of all ppl would agree for sure.

I completely understand that the majority would chose the 2nd gen over the first gen, it just makes sense. It's a far superior car in every aspect, it's just the character of the first gen can't be touched by the second gen. Now imagine the power of the CL-S combined with the character of the OG CL. Just ruthless.

gnuts

iTrader: (1)

that's a tough one. What's the weight of the J35 vs the F23 engine (and trans)? If the J35 weighs 200lbs more, then it's just 180lbs lighter. That's still a lot though.

You seem to have a special place for the 1st gen and if that's been your dream and you have the ability to do it, then go for it. life is too short.

Accord316

Sell both cars and get or purchase another low mileage 2003 CLs... Second gen body looks much nicer

CL-S progression 01

iTrader: (2)

gnuts is right... if you love that body style... who are we to tell you whats the best decision.

whatever makes you happy, thats the right decision.

it will be a rare specimen thats for damn sure

gnuts

iTrader: (1)

I want to clarify that my previous post has nothing to do with wanting some parts off your CL6

AnthraciteTypeS

You have a j35 mated to a 6 speed? I think we all just wanna know more about that lol

teh CL

iTrader: (1)

What do you want to know? The J35 is bone stock with the exception of the headers/2.5" exhaust. Still has the stock intake piping with a cone filter, biggest restriction to say the least & it's still a beast..

There's a part out in the near future & you def have first dibs lol

The first gen def has a special place with me, it stems back to my original J32 first gen project that I never was able to complete. Guess this is the comeback tour with a vengeance lol..

Btw, it's official that the J35 first gen is under way. Just placed an order for a fresh CLS6 engine harness so that I can start the wiring while I continue to daily the CL-S..

brian6speed

iTrader: (5)

When you swap the motor and tranny into the first gen the weight difference will still be 200 lbs or less. Don't want to really argue about weight though.

There is no way extra sheet metal can weigh that much, I know from removing it.

As far as the 2nd Gen not having character, we will just have to disagree. I see it the other way around, but understand and accept other opinions.

A body kit does help the CL. Just take the 2nd Gen Sema CL as an example. That thing is so sexy.

brian6speed

iTrader: (5)

Would love to just start a build from a bare shell.

Maybe try and find a clean 1st gen shell to start with?

So many good j series swap options. Prelude, M2R, NSX, S2k, etc.

TylerT

iTrader: (1)

Agreed, there are many more options than a 1G CL - J swap in a S2000 is just bonkers.

If you have the capital and want to set aside 5-8k for a AP1 shell, go for it:

brian6speed

iTrader: (5)

I would be tempted to do this J Series in a miata swap kit from Mini Tec.

You need a donor miata , swap kit($2850-3500), j32a2 or j35a4 engine, & ECU.

The kit uses the stock miata transmission, driveshaft, & differential. It uses the miata radiator. Power Steering & A/C can be added.

They estimate only a 40 lb weight gain to the front of the car. That seems low to me. Stock hood fits without modification.

I think this quote is bashing the CL heh:

"And that noise-oh, that noise. It's like the engine is thanking you for finally placing it in the correct body".

AnthraciteTypeS

At the price of a swap kit (nearly $3000) and what you get as an end result (still a...miata), i'd have to pass.

You'd be better off paying someone to fab your own mounts and wiring in a better platform i.e. an MR2. I also would not trust that miata trans with more than double the tq it's designed to handle stock.

brian6speed

iTrader: (5)

3k is cheap for what you get. Still a miata? What is wrong with a miata, one of the best driving and handling cars ever.

I don't see how a mr2 is better platform, plus it will cost so much more.

Try getting your own parts fabricated and see how fast the bill adds up unless you do all work yourself.

There are so many turbo miatas already plus V8 miatas using stock transmissions. Plus you can upgrade anything.

I guess any modding is not worth it because the car is still the same car? Why mod a cl if it is still a cl. Why mod an m3 if it is still an m3? That mr2 will still be a mr2. I thought only ppl 50 years old or older thought that way.

Just getting a custom engine harness fabricated cost me $600. Custom exhaust easily 1.5-3k. I know ppl on here are used to buying Chinese ebay parts, but custom is expensive.

AnthraciteTypeS

I just dislike miatas and would not be caught dead in one regardless of motor. It's kind of like being a tranny with a titjob.

Everyone has their own opinion of cheap. I have j swapped 4cyl honda cars for right around that much (including the swap). The only thing I didn't fab was mounts. You're going to have to do custom wiring regardless of platform.

I would much prefer a mid engine orientation of an mr2 for pretty much all types of racing, especially drag racing. With the right setup and the added weight of the J in the rear, it would clean up just about anything on the street. I'm sure you have seen the videos of the k20 mr2 and what that car is capable of. People have also frankensteined many different rear end/trans configurations. Again all personal preference

teh CL

iTrader: (1)

The miata would be insane for sure but still not too much of a miata fan..

Unfortunately the budget doesn't have room for another shell, an S2000 would just be ridiculous lol..

If something pops up for a decent price plans may change but realistically the 1g will suffice

teh CL

iTrader: (1)

K, so you guys have my mind going into different platforms..

I did some light browsing & found a 03' S2k (AP1?) semi local for 7k with 190k. Blown motor & needs a passenger fender..

... lol

03 tls nc

iTrader: (6)

I feel your pain, I've got a complete 6 speed swap setting here but not sure that I want to put it in the TL. I've been checking out the miata swap but it still looks like a miata. I've event thought about a E36 chaise the 318ti being the lightest and you have plenty of suspension options and final drive gearing. Easiest to swap both fuse boxes and integrate the body electrical. What ever you drop the 35 in will be fun no doubt!


Did you ever get your j32a2 cams put in?