Gobnugget

Hi folks - been a while since I was around here but I have a dilemma and think this forum is well suited to chime in.

Bought my 2003 3.2CL Type-S (6 speed MT, Black on Black Leather w/ Navi) about 10 years ago with 155k miles. Have only taken it up to 190,000 since then and my transmission finally went out last week.

Over the years I am sure I have easily matched the $8000 purchase price with maintenance and repairs. But the prospect of another $2k+ right now doesn't feel great.

With mfg interest rates very low, I could turn that repair into a downpayment and get myself a nice new toy. The folks over on the MX-5 forums have me fairly convinced.

What say you, given this limited info? Should I suck it up, fix it and stay in the club? Store it for 10 years and break it out later to get my antique tags? Or is it time to part it out and reduce the 3.2CL count by one?

Knowing I would get next to nothing for a trade-in stings, because in good condition this car should be worth more than $500!

Cheers and appreciate any thoughts from fellow CL lovers.

Straightarrow

I feel for you. I am in a different position. My 03 CL 6MT just calved the engine. There are lots of J32A motors available (both JDM and US), but I can't get a straight answer how difficult it would be to mate an automatic engine to my manual tranny.

zeta

iTrader: (1)

The automatic J32A2 or J35A3 block will mate to your CLS6 transmission.

If you use an automatic J32A2 engine from either a second generation TL or CL, you will need the following components from your 6-speed J32A2 to make it manual transmission compatible:

front head cam pulley, front head timing belt back cover plate assembly, front head cam sensors and sub-harness,
pulley side crank sensor and sub-harness, timing belt stopper plate, timing belt drive pulley,
flywheel, clutch, pressure plate, rear engine mount and bracket

If you use a J35A3 from a '01-02 MDX, you need all of the above from your J32A2 6-speed engine, and the following:

the coolant 'connecting pipe' (between the water pump and water jacket), water jacket with EGR valve, and the throttle body MAP sensor.

You can also take the J32A2 heads and install them on the J35A3 block or just the j32A2 cams and swap them over to the J35A3 heads, this will give you a Type-S J35A3 with lots more torque down below. The CLS6 ECU will work with the J35A3 engine, no problem.

Straightarrow

Thanks for the helpful info.
The hunt begins....

QUOTE=zeta;16487762]The automatic J32A2 or J35A3 block will mate to your CLS6 transmission.

If you use an automatic J32A2 engine from either a second generation TL or CL, you will need the following components from your 6-speed J32A2 to make it manual transmission compatible:

front head cam pulley, front head timing belt back cover plate assembly, front head cam sensors and sub-harness,
pulley side crank sensor and sub-harness, timing belt stopper plate, timing belt drive pulley,
flywheel, clutch, pressure plate, rear engine mount and bracket

If you use a J35A3 from a '01-02 MDX, you need all of the above from your J32A2 6-speed engine, and the following:

the coolant 'connecting pipe' (between the water pump and water jacket), water jacket with EGR valve, and the throttle body MAP sensor.

You can also take the J32A2 heads and install them on the J35A3 block or just the j32A2 cams and swap them over to the J35A3 heads, this will give you a Type-S J35A3 with lots more torque down below. The CLS6 ECU will work with the J35A3 engine, no problem.[/QUOTE]

Straightarrow

One more question... What about JDM vs domestic? My experience with a Subaru, there were some minor differences. The JDM tend to be lower mileage.

zeta

iTrader: (1)

Read the posts by jason Medeiros (posts #1-18) on the thread below. He had problems with the JDM J32A2 he used and never updated his thread if he fixed it.

https://acurazine.com/forums/second-...e-code-968203/

It may be prudent, if you opt for a J32A2, to stick with a 'domestic', just saying. Don't forget to search for a 'low mileage' J35A3, as well.
Regarding either the domestic automatic J32A2 or J35A3, you will still have to swap 'stuff' to make them work with your manual transmission set-up. Might as well consider the availability of the higher displacement engine in your search pool when looking for your new engine. They both will work.