I know this isn't an Odyssey forum, but you guys seem the most knowledgeable regarding the questions I have.

I have a 2002 Odyssey and the transmission is going out. I have always hated automatics, but I wanted an Odyssey, so at the time I had no choice. Now the idea of a 6sp manual is very intriguing, and I'm thinking worth the extra effort. I may also go ahead and stick the J32a2 head on my block as well if I can find one, but I haven't researched that terribly hard.

I am assuming I will need a CLS6 ecu and a piggy-back fuel/timing management system to retune it to fit my Odyssey block/head. The problems I foresee are:

-Key/ECU will not match. I'm guessing a Honda dealer can make me a key for my keyhole and that ECU?

-Not all Odyssey ECU functionality may be found in the CLS6 ECU. Can anyone confirm or deny this?

-Obvious custom fabrication issues, but enough kung fu fighting can always fix those.

I'm just assuming I will need the CLS6 ecu, but if anyone knows a way to retain my Odyssey ECU, that'd be aces.

 

Unless you have the tools & know how don't even attempt this.
Parts alone, unless you can find a wrecked CLS6 will top out at $4-6K.
Then it's all going to be custom. It's a mini van.

 

Why to an Odyssey?

Wouldn't this just about be the same price if you toaled your Odyssey? How many miles do you have on it?

 

I realize I'm a newb here, so I understand the response, but really, I am not asking if I should do this.

I've found CLS6 trannys between $1200-1500, clutch/flywheel ~ $300, Clutch M/C & hoses < $100, pedal assembly < $100, ECU is $600 new but I'm hopeful I'd find one cheaper, piggyback < $250, shifter and cables < $150.. shipping for all that should be well under $500, so I'm coming in < $3500 so far, unless I've missed something.

 

Are you going to do the work, or are you taking it to someone?

 

Automagic transmissions are not as reliable as manuals, especially in the case of the Odyssey. I need my Odyssey, but if there is any way to get away from the auto, I'd like to try. Plus, I love doing projects that no one else has tackled.

 

I would do all the work. Tools/skill will not be an issue. The only issues are the electronic challenges. And possible mating issues (axles->tranny, tranny->motor). I'm pretty confident that the tranny->motor mate up will be fine. The axles I'm guessing no one has tried sticking odyssey axles in a CLS6 tranny, so I may need to have those custom made.

 

here, and this is going from a base TL auto to TL 6 (CL6 parts)

https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tl-1999-2003-98/6-speed-conversion-591872/

 

Great thread, thanks! Definitely adds a few more $

 

ya, and a pornographic amount of time

 

trust me i want an oddy bad , and i would def. do this kinda stuff ... you'd have to use different pistons to clear the bigger intake valves on ur heads , raised redline .. dual stage intake mani ... basically a 3.5 type S oddy with all the bolt ons would be bad ass... im down with everything but the 6mt swap ...

 

heh, everything but the MT, and all I want is the MT :-p

Well, I want everything.. but the MT is the priority for me as my auto is going to leave me stranded within 6 months I'm thinking..

 

Ok, if you do it, keep us posted.

 

You should check out this thread https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-cl-2001-2003-50/bought-totaled-cls6-going-parting-out-690590/ he might have many of the parts you need.

 

Looks like DV888 beat me to the punch. Maybe I'll luck into a properly totalled CLS6 of my own.

 

do it! sounds like an awesome project.

 

After talking to my buddy who is a far superior mechanic and tuner than I am, we decided to start looking into megasquirt in OBD2 applications. This will save quite a bit of money and solve most my concerns (only if the research is favorable). I have a lot of concerns regarding this, but I have until my tranny completely explodes to build and tune the megasquirt ecu, and it's cheap enough that failure would not cause my wife to castrate me. If anyone has any advice or gotcha's regarding all this ECU stuff, please chime in. I already know the issues I'll face at the emissions check, but with a minivan and a dumb look on my face, I think I can just get it ASM sniffed.

 

Stock ECU's are not programmable, & the CLS was not a popular car, Not sure how far your going to get in aftermarket ecu support.
Again keep us posted cause another ECU would have many pro's for the boosted group.

 

If we do get megasquirt working for the Odyssey, it should be simple to make the modifications for the CLS. Could probably make kits for everyone to enjoy at that point. One thing, depending on where you live, emissions may be impossible to pass, so you'd have to be ready to swap back to stock. Depending on the amount of non-oe sensors that will be used, it may be a PITA to go between OBD2b and (effectively) OBD0. I'll definitely keep you all updated as this progresses.

 

Definitely keep us informed on this.

I always thought something like this would be tempting on a Ridgeline.

 

haha 6 speed odyssey good luck man!

 

I've seen it done...I'm pretty sure you can do it. PM me if you need any help.

Also what is your location?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmPSs_5-zLg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp1cnFbMNVo

 

that is total BS man.....if you said honda's automatic transmissions are not reliable then maybe you'd have a point for some years

there are a CRAPLOAD of older hondas with 400K plus on the original AT with nothing done to them.........any 5th gen accord owner will tell you that the autos are pretty much indistructable under normal use. my 94 has 200K plus on it........same orginal AT

 

my 98 av6 had its replaced at 57K out of warranty for free from honda ... btw the car was 8yrs old at that time ! thats how prevalant tranny failure is in more rescent hondas ... 98 on accord , most resent prelude , 02 maybe even 01 oddy, 99+ tl '01 cl ... all suck to say the least , maybe the current 4 shaft are about the only solid auto trans out of honda in almost 10 years

 

Please do your research before making a statement like this.

There are quite a few (more than normal) Hondas and Acuras with KNOWN problems with the auto trans. His Odyssey, your CL, and my TL are prime examples. I have quite a few close friends that are Honda technicians, I hear about it QUITE often.

Ok. Ask the 6th gen Accord owners and see if you get the same response. Look, there are exceptions to everything, but the fact of the matter still remains, that Honda autos are not as reliable as they should be. The countless recalls back my point..

 

Oh, and Jolt-

I would love to see this happen! A Type-S 6SPD Odyssey would be badass! Do it! And keep us posted

 

My friend and I were just talking about how cool it would be to build a 3.7 SC 6-speed Honda Odyssey. It would look sick lowered with a nice set of wheels and a BBK. I say go for the swap, it would be something unique.

 

did you not read what I said?

He made a blanket statement and I corrected him...not all automatic transmissions are unreliable as I pointed out, some of very reliable such as 5th gen accords or older......not to mention pre 98 acuras such as the legend or the automatics used with the K series of motors

I had a 82 chrysler with 380K on the original auto at....never a problem I had a 89 sable that went 200K+ on the same auto and a 1992 that was at 143K when it was totaled in accident.....my 94 honda accord 200K+ on the original AT

The only hondas that seem to have problems are any of them that use the 98+accord 4AT or variants or any of the 5AT transmissions..

and countless recalls? there are only 2 that I am aware of 1 for the 4at for 2nd gear shaft and 1 for the 5at for the same reason.......so again where are the countless recalls? I guess you meant to say warranty extension for certain years and goodwill for most of the 4at and 5at that are affected by subpar build quality

 

Make sure you take a lot of pictures of this.

If you want, wait for the SH-AWD TL 6-Speed, get a wrecked one (shouldn't have to wait long) and do the whole drivetrain.

That almost sounds like a Monster Garage episode.

 

I saw that honda van like 2 years ago and have wanted to do this for some time myself. Another thing to think of is the modules richie is making for the CL/TL so that they can put in the manual trans with little to no modifications to the wiring.

 

my dude, im sorry, but if you want to maintain the tranny in the second gen ody, you had to baby that thing... along with regular fluid flushes yo

 

Umm.. Thanks for your 9 year bump...

 

its stayin alive! Haha

 

again read what I said

pre 1998 Accord have reliable AT, they will easily go 400K with basic maintenance done, same for the first gen Oddessy.. 2nd gen uses same driveline as 98+accord when you get the V6 and you have the sane reliability issues. 3rd gen same thing 5AT = crap
Now, 9 years later the 6AT has proven reliable as used in the 13+ RDX and others that have it
the 5AT used in the RL and TL-S (2007-8) is a different unit a 4 shaft design that was better engineered and does not suffer from lack of lubrication. There is a GIANT FAQ on exactly what is wrong with the original 5AT as installed in the car...

1998-02 the AT used in the Accord and other cars was not reliable until the internal filter was deleted and an external one added to the cooler and the differential bearings were replaced and oil jet kit installed for 2nd gear shaft.. due to lack of lubrication the 2nd gear oil passage would get restricted and boom toast the clutch packs

The 5AT used in the 2001-06ish TL is CRAP same for the Ridgeline Oddessy and any other car that uses the original design variant during that time frame. This includes the 03-06 Accord V6. the oiling passages are too small and you would ultimately cook 3rd gear as the fluid temp was above 315F under repeated shifting aka stop and go traffic..

For the 2007 Accord Honda went back to the drawing board and did a MAJOR rework on the unit. resulting in better oil passage via redesigned case. The BONUS is that you can retrofit that transmission to ANY older CL/TL that uses the original 5AT with a harness, PRNDL switch and oil/water cooler swap from old to new trans. the 5T from the mid 2006 and 2007 TL is not compatible with the older one...

 

No way, my 96 Accord shit out two transmissions before 100,000 miles. I didn't drive it any different than I've driven any other car I've ever owned. I've never had any problem with an automatic transmission other than those in Hondas. Honda makes terrible automatics.

 

reliability data > you personal experience. my 1994 Accord had 208K on original trans and engine before it was deemed too expensive to repair

 

So please provide some data then. Every Honda automatic I've ever owned has shit the bed on me.

 

1994 Honda Accord transmission problems & complaints | CarComplaints.com

that would be a start... a google search only reveals isolated cases...not the overload that you get when you type in Honda 5speed automatic transmission problems...