2001 3.2cl-s automatic to manual transmission swap

Old Aug 10, 2022 | 02:53 PM
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2001 3.2cl-s automatic to manual transmission swap

I have a 2001 Acura 3.2cl type s. It is a 5speed auto and currently tranny is going bad. Now I am looking to manual swap it. From the research that I've done the only transmission that will bolt on is the 6mt from the cl-s, but those are hard to find so I've resorted to the 04-06 3.2tl 6mt transmissions. I'm aware ill have to do some drilling for the crank sensor. Only question I have is will I need to find CLS6mt tranny mounts or will the TL6mt tranny mounts work? Any information is appreciated.
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Old Aug 10, 2022 | 03:51 PM
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^
Where are you located? The one below is $450 out of Kentucky.
Get on the phone and see if it's available with the trans mounts and transmission mounting beam.
Better yet, go to car-part.com, input the CL-S6 specs into the search engine, and call all the salvage yards.
There is one whole page, approximately 21results in US & Canada.
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Old Aug 10, 2022 | 03:59 PM
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Originally Posted by OGBoogster
I have a 2001 Acura 3.2cl type s. It is a 5speed auto and currently tranny is going bad. I'm aware ill have to do some drilling for the crank sensor.
In addition, if you are aware that the trans mounted CKP sensor is needed with the CL-S6 ECU, you are also aware that you will need to make your automatic trans. J32A2 six speed compatible, right?

Last edited by zeta; Aug 10, 2022 at 04:02 PM.
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Old Aug 10, 2022 | 04:31 PM
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Originally Posted by zeta
^
Where are you located? The one below is $450 out of Kentucky.
Get on the phone and see if it's available with the trans mounts and transmission mounting beam.
Better yet, go to car-part.com, input the CL-S6 specs into the search engine, and call all the salvage yards.
There is one whole page, approximately 21results in US & Canada.
What the heck, a 6MT for $450 in Kentucky? I'm gonna call my friend up and see about hopping on that deal.
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Old Aug 10, 2022 | 04:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Thefireball
What the heck, a 6MT for $450 in Kentucky? I'm gonna call my friend up and see about hopping on that deal.
If the whole car is there then you be lucky!
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Old Aug 10, 2022 | 05:02 PM
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Originally Posted by zeta
If the whole car is there then you be lucky!
I neeeeeeeeed this. I'll sell the Accord trans for the same price as this if I have to.
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Old Aug 10, 2022 | 05:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Thefireball
I neeeeeeeeed this. I'll sell the Accord trans for the same price as this if I have to.
FYI, I searched for these items on that car to try and determine if its entirety is still there:
Hood
Front Seat
engine cradle
engine
trans
Only the engine and trans showed a result; therefore, not sure if the car has already been crushed?
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Old Aug 10, 2022 | 07:10 PM
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Originally Posted by zeta
FYI, I searched for these items on that car to try and determine if its entirety is still there:
Hood
Front Seat
engine cradle
engine
trans
Only the engine and trans showed a result; therefore, not sure if the car has already been crushed?
My main plan is to secure a wrecked CL-S6 6 Speed. My friend found one for $1400 on FB Marketplace, and he offered to help me pay for it, but I decided to wait and save up some more money instead.

But as long as I can secure a transmission, I'll be happy. I can get everything else needed later, little by little.

And sorry to hijack your thread OP. That's just a steal of a deal that Zeta posted.
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Old Aug 10, 2022 | 08:39 PM
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Originally Posted by OGBoogster
I'm aware ill have to do some drilling for the crank sensor.
some drilling. lol. I think its more precise than using a drill. the sensor has to pickup the flywheel mounted tone ring at just the right spot or you won't rev past 4k or get into vtec. On the other hand using an AEM EMS instead of the stock 6 spd ecu wouldnt require the 6mt sensors or harness. just a thought.

Last edited by 619rcr; Aug 10, 2022 at 08:43 PM.
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Old Aug 10, 2022 | 08:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Thefireball
I neeeeeeeeed this. I'll sell the Accord trans for the same price as this if I have to.
Just a thought, if you procure the KY CL-S 6MT and it has over 200K on it, that investment in the Accord 6MT might come in handy as a potential parts source, should the CL trans show signs of wear upon installation.
If you compare and contrast the two on the vendor websites, a lot of these manual trans internal parts are either 'discontinued' or 'currently unavailable'.

Last edited by zeta; Aug 10, 2022 at 09:04 PM.
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Old Aug 11, 2022 | 10:03 AM
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Originally Posted by 619rcr
On the other hand using an AEM EMS instead of the stock 6 spd ecu wouldnt require the 6mt sensors or harness. just a thought.
This sounds interesting to me as the only reason im wanting to waste my time with a car like this is to start learning how to tune. So if I were to acquire an AEM EMS, then the Acura TL 6speed wouldnt need the crank sensor? Im located in northern cali and ive done some searching on car part.com and other sites and havent been lucky enough to find anything close to me or for the right price, thats why im going with the TL 6MT. Does anyone have a link to where I could get one of these AEM EMS?
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Old Aug 11, 2022 | 10:09 AM
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Originally Posted by OGBoogster
Does anyone have a link to where I could get one of these AEM EMS?
No trans mounted CKP sensor required.
AEM EMS V2 30-6051 Series 2 Engine Managment System Honda Acura J Swap CL TL for sale online | eBay
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Old Aug 11, 2022 | 11:52 AM
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Sweet all of a sudden this seems like a much more doable project. Thanks for the info
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Old Aug 11, 2022 | 12:54 PM
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Originally Posted by OGBoogster
Sweet all of a sudden this seems like a much more doable project. Thanks for the info

Have you sourced a pedal assembly / clutch master cylinder / shifter assembly?
I presume you'll need a 04-06 change lever sub-assembly (TL shifter) / cables to sync with the shift lever on top of the TL 6MT?
Do your homework, on fitment, before purchase because the whole look of the CL-S6 shifter and the chassis fasten points look different than the TL one.
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Old Aug 11, 2022 | 02:06 PM
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I haven't started sourcing any parts yet. I'm still just theorizing on whether or not its even possible, without fabricating all the parts I need. My idea was to find a wrecked 04-06 tl in hopes that it would have all the parts I need. As I've seen most of the stock parts I would need for a manual CL-S are discontinued. I've found a handful of websites that sell aftermarket transmission mounts but I'm not sure about the pedal, cables, and shifter etc.. I was kinda just gunna cross that bridge once I got there. Either way I definitely agree, ill have to do some more research before I'm convinced this will be worth it.
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Old Aug 11, 2022 | 03:13 PM
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^
One question for you, playing devil's advocate, of course.
Would it not be quicker / easier / less expensive, for you, to 'swap' in an updated & proven 06-07 Accord BAYA automatic ($600-$1000 for the trans.- $750-$1000 for install labor?) to remedy your current defective factory automatic transmission?

Sell the car and purchase a 2G CL-S6 or 3G 04-06 TL 6MT?

By the time you purchase the standalone ECU and purchase just the TL 6MT you are already up to about $2K+ uninstalled with plenty to 'figure out' in going forward with a manual swap on an automatic 2001 CL-S.
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Old Aug 11, 2022 | 03:53 PM
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100% yes it would probably be a lot easier to put in another automatic transmission, but I want it to be a manual. I've had 5 manual cars and none of them had any transmission problems and the first automatic I got has terrible transmission problems XD. The cars in immaculate condition has no leaks great interior still smells like new car and I got it for free. Only thing is it could use a new paint job and the transmission. I don't have much going on in life right now, and I work at an auto shop so I have the means of doing the work myself. I have the time so I could actually complete a big project like this. So I've decided it'll be a good learning experience and ill have a fun and kinda rare car afterwards. I've been practicing a lot of tig welding and mig welding which means I could make custom headers and exhaust maybe even turbo the car at the same time who knows. I'm aware the car is not ideal for what I want to do but I'm up for the challenge.
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Old Aug 11, 2022 | 04:55 PM
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Originally Posted by OGBoogster
100% yes it would probably be a lot easier to put in another automatic transmission, but I want it to be a manual. I've had 5 manual cars and none of them had any transmission problems and the first automatic I got has terrible transmission problems XD. The cars in immaculate condition has no leaks great interior still smells like new car and I got it for free. Only thing is it could use a new paint job and the transmission. I don't have much going on in life right now, and I work at an auto shop so I have the means of doing the work myself. I have the time so I could actually complete a big project like this. So I've decided it'll be a good learning experience and ill have a fun and kinda rare car afterwards. I've been practicing a lot of tig welding and mig welding which means I could make custom headers and exhaust maybe even turbo the car at the same time who knows. I'm aware the car is not ideal for what I want to do but I'm up for the challenge.
If you do end up swapping the transmission, I sure hope you post pics of the process so I know what I'll be in for.

Not looking forward to it, but it's going to happen. At least my girl has a 6 speed that I can use as a reference.
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Old Aug 11, 2022 | 05:36 PM
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From what I can see there isn't a lot of information about doing this transmission swap so ill be sure to take plenty of pictures and post em on here for anyone else who might need help.
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Old Aug 11, 2022 | 06:00 PM
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Originally Posted by OGBoogster
From what I can see there isn't a lot of information about doing this transmission swap so ill be sure to take plenty of pictures and post em on here for anyone else who might need help.
There's a couple of threads on here, and a good one for a 2G TL, but no step-by-steps. Of course, I don't expect anyone to make a step-by-step; that'd be a bit ridiculous, lol.

I'm more so concerned about what's going to be need to be done with the wiring harness in the interior.
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Old Aug 11, 2022 | 07:48 PM
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I actually ordered AEM EMS a few days ago from P2R. Ebay is a bit more. P2R has the billet trans crossbeam, braided clutch line and 6 spd shifters as well.
https://www.powerrevracing.com/AEM-S...-p/30-6051.htm

https://www.powerrevracing.com/Honda-J-Series-s/1877.htm



Last edited by 619rcr; Aug 11, 2022 at 07:51 PM.
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