Contemplating Engine Swap - to 3.5
08-23-2019, 08:15 PM
#1
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Contemplating Engine Swap - to 3.5
Came home from work one day, passed a guy on the highway, then suddenly noticed a knocking sound at high RPMs (2500+). This is in my 2000 TL, J32A1, AV6 Transmission. Fiddled, messed, listened, diagnosed - determined it was rod-knock of some sort. But I needed the car for 3 more days.
Drove it like a granny the next day and the following day (manually shifting when the RPMs got to 2000).
Got myself into a predicament where I revved to about 3000 RPMs and that was all she wrote... suddenly I hear lots of chirping, grinding, screeching, and otherwise evil sounds from the engine compartment. Basically sounded like a rock-tumbler. Coasted to a safe spot and towed 'er home later that night.
Now the dilemma:
230,000 miles on the original J32A1 engine, 40,000 miles on my AV6 tranny. I'm thinking it's a broken wrist pin, or rod.
Do I go through all the pain of an engine replacement? If I do, I'm hearing a J35A3 is a "drop in" replacement. Is that true?
Or maybe a J32A2 (Type-S) would be nice, but I'm not paying those prices (unless I find someplace who doesn't know what they have). J32A1 engines are dirt cheap (pricewise), but then I'm looking at the rest of the warm weather crawling under a car every weekend....("I'm too old for this sh*t" - Roger Murtaugh)
Any recommendations on what J35 engine will "drop in"? Or should I stick with J32?
(Or I could donate it and mortgage myself to the hilt for one of those brand-new mid-engine Corvettes!)
Drove it like a granny the next day and the following day (manually shifting when the RPMs got to 2000).
Got myself into a predicament where I revved to about 3000 RPMs and that was all she wrote... suddenly I hear lots of chirping, grinding, screeching, and otherwise evil sounds from the engine compartment. Basically sounded like a rock-tumbler. Coasted to a safe spot and towed 'er home later that night.
Now the dilemma:
230,000 miles on the original J32A1 engine, 40,000 miles on my AV6 tranny. I'm thinking it's a broken wrist pin, or rod.
Do I go through all the pain of an engine replacement? If I do, I'm hearing a J35A3 is a "drop in" replacement. Is that true?
Or maybe a J32A2 (Type-S) would be nice, but I'm not paying those prices (unless I find someplace who doesn't know what they have). J32A1 engines are dirt cheap (pricewise), but then I'm looking at the rest of the warm weather crawling under a car every weekend....("I'm too old for this sh*t" - Roger Murtaugh)
Any recommendations on what J35 engine will "drop in"? Or should I stick with J32?
(Or I could donate it and mortgage myself to the hilt for one of those brand-new mid-engine Corvettes!)
Last edited by RTH; 08-23-2019 at 08:22 PM.
08-24-2019, 08:58 PM
#2
Drifting
Years 01 & 02 MDX motor are the suppositly direct engine swaps for your TL. You may have to remove the intake manifold spacer from the MDX motor in order to close the hood on your TL.
My understanding is that both types of 2g TL(S) heads will bolt on the MDX block because the MDX block is the exact same block.
There is a minor difference on the MDX head vs the TL, this may or may not pass a state vehicle inspection if that's applicable in your state. If it's applicable and you want to be sure then just use the TL head with the MDX block.
My understanding is that both types of 2g TL(S) heads will bolt on the MDX block because the MDX block is the exact same block.
There is a minor difference on the MDX head vs the TL, this may or may not pass a state vehicle inspection if that's applicable in your state. If it's applicable and you want to be sure then just use the TL head with the MDX block.
08-27-2019, 10:33 AM
#3
Three Wheelin'
^^correct.
J35A3 will drop in no problem. You'll have to reuse your old EGR and coolant/thermostat as well as removing the spacer under the intake. Other than that pretty easy. Since you have a non-type S, I wouldn't mess with the heads unless you can get hold of some J32A2 cams......$$$$$
Run a search for J35A3, tons of info.
J35A3 will drop in no problem. You'll have to reuse your old EGR and coolant/thermostat as well as removing the spacer under the intake. Other than that pretty easy. Since you have a non-type S, I wouldn't mess with the heads unless you can get hold of some J32A2 cams......$$$$$
Run a search for J35A3, tons of info.
08-27-2019, 10:34 AM
#4
Three Wheelin'
Years 01 & 02 MDX motor are the suppositly direct engine swaps for your TL. You may have to remove the intake manifold spacer from the MDX motor in order to close the hood on your TL.
My understanding is that both types of 2g TL(S) heads will bolt on the MDX block because the MDX block is the exact same block.
There is a minor difference on the MDX head vs the TL, this may or may not pass a state vehicle inspection if that's applicable in your state. If it's applicable and you want to be sure then just use the TL head with the MDX block.
My understanding is that both types of 2g TL(S) heads will bolt on the MDX block because the MDX block is the exact same block.
There is a minor difference on the MDX head vs the TL, this may or may not pass a state vehicle inspection if that's applicable in your state. If it's applicable and you want to be sure then just use the TL head with the MDX block.
01acls,
How would an inspection shop even know it's not the original engine?
08-27-2019, 11:48 AM
#5
Drifting
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Seems like the only way would be to inspect the casting on the engine block. I can't remember where it is on the V6 but I don't recall it being super hard to see. Either way, I highly doubt they do that as part of their inspection.
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