Dean here, from Arizona. Hence the AZ in my name. Not because I am on AcuraZine. Just coincidence, lol. I see most of you guys are much younger than I. Hope you won't hold that against me. I've always loved Acura from literally they first came on the market.

Anyhow, just bought a 2003 Acura CL Type S AT in SSM. Pretty decent shape and has 118K miles. Thanks to all of the awesome info here, I know that my car 's VIN puts it in the safe zone for transmission problems. I hope. It still has a few issues that I need to research and address.

Nice to have an Acura again. Had a few Legends back in the 90s and loved those cars.

I have lots of questions, but will do my best to search thoroughly before asking.

Looks like a great community here. Look forward to doing my part and lending my expertise with general mechanical, electrical, etc. stuff where I can help.

 

Cool, let me know if you ever need help with something.

 

Thanks Karanx7. If you're ever interested in meeting up, it would be cool to pick your brains about these cars. I'd also like to have someone with experience drive my car and see what you think about a few things I am seeing/hearing/feeling.

Is there much of an active Acura community here in the valley?

 

Welcome sir

 

Welcome to the forum.

And just to let you know, there is no such thing as a safe zone for the trans.

 

Welcome Dean. Your still younger than me. I am truly the old man

 

Welcome aboard Dean.

 

Welcome Dean

 

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone.



Awesome. Well, I do like the car. Love the motor and lots of other things about the car so I suppose I'll just start saving my pennies.

From what I am reading here, a 3G TL or '05 Odyssey tranny swap is the way to go.

 

Thanks Oldman71. Well, I am right behind ya. Love your signature line, by the way, except now I am working on my grandchildren's inheritance.

 

01/02 MDX is a match as well.

 

Interesting. The 01/02 MDX did not have the same design flaw as the CL tranny, even though it was made during the same years? Or do I have to look for a rebuilt version of the MDX unit?

 

This old posting should be of some help:



Quote:



Here are the swap options along with brief advantage(s)/disadvantage(s):

BLOCK/HEADS (incl. manifold (upper/lower), tb)
------------------
J30A1/J30A1
advantage: no modification needed.
disadvantage: no torque until turbo/sc kicks in.

J30A1/J32A2
advantage: mid-range and top-end power
disadvantage: J30A1 pistons have to be modified to fit large J32A2 (intake) valves.
Not much torque until turbo/sc kicks in.

J32A2/J32A2
advantage: no modification needed, mid-range, top-end power.
disadvantage: torque is still ok but better than J30A1

J35A4/J30A1 (Odyssey '02-04/ '00-02 Accord V6)
advantage: no modifications needed, adequate torque, adequate mid-range
disadvantage:needed better cams, large intake valves for overal better powerband, top-end power

Option 1:
If budget is limited the solution is to swap J32A2 (CL-S/TL-S) cams into stock J30A1(Accord V6) cyl. heads (see sticky CL-S swap and Cam machining).

Option 2:
Get J32A2 (CL-S/TL-S) complete cyl. heads + IM (intake manifold)
But requires different pistons :p (see J35/J32 below) to clear J32A2 valves.

J35A3/J35A3 (Acura MDX '01-02), J35A4/J35A4 (Honda Odyssey '02-04)
advantage: no modifications needed, great torque, nice mid-range
disadvantage: little less air flow than J32A2 but very close.

This option looks like a good choice if getting the complete engine or even separate short block and cyl. heads/manifold due to a price. And MDX the cyl. heads are the same part # as CL-S, however intake valves and cams are different than CL-S but overall much better than pathetic AV6.

J35A1/J32A2 (Odyssey '01/CL-S '01-03)
advantage: great entire powerband and especially torque.
disadvantage: Need CL-S or RL pistons.

Note: Same options apply as listed below.

J35A3/J32A2 ('01-02 MDX/CL-S '01-03) or J35A4/J32A2 (Odyssey '02-04/CL-S '01-03)
advantage: great entire powerband and especially torque.
disadvantage: Need CL-S or RL pistons.

There are also couple options:

Option 1
With '01-02 complete MDX block or '02-04 Odyssey complete block (crank/rods/pistons) it is required to purchase 2005 Acura RL pistons (new set $50 each) This is a best option still since these pistons have clearance for large 36mm J32A2 (intake) valves thus no modification needed. Despite the fact they have higher 11.0:1 CR still even supercharger can be used here with low boost up to 7psi intercooled (assuming safe AFR). In addition, if 11:1 CR is too high for you, you can use '03 CL-S pistons with 10.5:1 CR.

Option 2
'01-03 J32A2 block (CL-S)
Required to purchase the following:

-= hondaautomotiveparts.com =-
'02-'04 Odyssey (crankshaft)
Product No. 368270 or
Honda part #13310-PGK-A00

'02-'04 Odyssey (connecting rod)
Product No. 368269 or
Honda part #13210-PGK-A00

Main bearings + rod bearings

-= acuraautomotiveparts.org =-
'03 CL-S (pistons) - 10.5:1 CR or
'05 RL (pistons) - 11.0:1 CR

pistons rings (per chosen model)

Note: Odyssey pistons do not have clearance to fit large 36mm J32A2 (intake) valves. Solution - custom job to increase valve pockets.

BTW, The only advantage to get J32A2 block is due to better cylinder sleeves to withstand heat designed for higher redline vehicle, otherwise depending on the price Odyssey or MDX block are the best bet.

Keep in mind, J35A5 '03-04 MDX will not fit on 6th gen. AV6/CL/TL/CL-S/TL-S due to different design, and looks like only for 7th gen. AV6.

Edit: The correct valve dimensions now stand as follows: incl. J30A4/J32A4

J30A1 '98-02 AV6: 34mm/29mm (intake/exhaust)
J30A4 '03+ AV6: 35mm/30mm

J32A1 '01-03' TL/CL: 34mm/30mm
J32A2 '01-03 TL-S/CL-S: 36mm/30mm
J32A4 '04+ TL: 35mm/30mm

J35A1 '99-01 Odyssey: 34mm/29mm
J35A4 '02-04 Odyssey: 35mm/30mm



__________________

 

Welcome Dean to Acurazine! Feel free to let us know if you have any questions or problems about the car.
As for your question about local members in the Phoenix area, you may want to wander to the "Regions" section to find local members. It's located in the black bar on the top right of the page.

 

Dean!

 

Thanks Austin, but that looks like motor swap info...? I was talking about tranny swaps, but maybe I am misunderstanding.

 

Your best option for the tranny swap is the Accord V6 tranny. I believe the best year Accord to get it from is 06-07?

Either way, don't fret until you actually start noticing tranny problems.

 

Unfortunately, I think I am seeing some subtle signs of transmission problems that I did not pick up on when I test drove the car.


Here she is, by the way. Bone stock, but still in nice shape.

 

Looks to be clean.
Ah, a blank slate. Those were the days....