There has been a lot of talk about the transmission in Acura/Honda cars. I have a 1997 2.2CL with an A/T. It's generally ok. Then there is the first gear issue. I can excellerate in first. The second I let off the gas, the car does not slow down to engine/trans drag. It's almost like pushing on the clutch pedal of a M/T. I have the ultimate fix-all.

Install an M/T with ECU and needed parts. Install a street performance clutch and lightened flywheel. Awesome idea. Or Acura could have been smart and put in a transmission filter!!!!. I dunno I could be wrong. Still love my Acura. Got it for free and still haven't put more than 5 grand into it since 2003 when I first got it.

 

So you converted your auto to a manual is what you're saying?

 

They have a trans filter, but it's non-serviceable

It's actually the clutch packs and bearings that go bad in the tranny

 

I didn't do it yet. I'm going too. I've been buying parts here and there, little by little. What ever I can afford and what I actually need. Making sure my axles, suspension, and mounts don't have to change. Haven't got too deep into that yet. If everything goes well I should have everything done in a few months. At the longest, by the end of the year. I hate driving an automatic. I love the feeling I am in control of my car.

 

That is something I never knew. There is a transfilter? but not servicable! I can't wait to get my m/t in. figured without any horsepower upgrades a street clutch should be fine. then upgrade as I go. I know how to tear down my car piece by piece, just still trying to learn more about the little details that make up the characteristics. Timing belts, parts replacements, noises, I can fix easy.

 

does the 1998 3.0cl have a serviceable trans-filter?

 

FWIW the trans on my daughter's 3.0CL died recently. Manged to find a recon replacement for $1500, but that was when the fun really started!
- The vendor delivered the wrong transmission [later model that did not have the speed cable setup required for 1998 cars]
- We send both trans back [my core and the wrong model recon] They promised to recon my original and send it within a few days.
- Trans arrived........WRONG MODEL AGAIN and clearly not my original
- My original finally arrived after being rebuilt. Phew!
- Installed it, and discovered that the brake bands were badly out of adjustment. The trans had all new clutches, bearings, TC etc, but the brake bands needed to be adjusted before it would select gears properly.

Lets just say it was a saga, and maybe an object lesson in what happens if you don't have really good references before you buy a reconned trans!

 

that's terrible. are they reimbursing you for shipping and troubles?

 

They credited $200 when the first wrong model was delivered. We're still working the case for the rest of the saga.

 

No, exactly what I said, it has a filter, it's internal, and therefore not serviceable. You would have to drop the trans and remove the gasket to get to it, therefore not serviceable

 

but you can take it to a mechanic and have them replace it once your car has seen some years....

 

all honda trannies does not have a filter