So I was researching the full 6 speed swap option when i was thinking of still using my car as my daily driver but i decided to buy a reliable, and fun, commuter instead (08 wrx). So the tl is now my project car and thou i would like a six speed manual it's no longer a must. My question is, what do you think a good and future proof, engine upgrade would be? By future proof i mean easily upgradable with more power and possible 6mt in the future.
Prior to this i was thinking about the 03 cls heads with the j32a3 block, from what i read it's an exact fit and yeilds more torque. I was wondering if the j32a5, that's 04' mdx?, will work with the 06-07 AV6 tranny upgrade, and if i would need the ecu and engine harness with it. Also will any 04' and up Tls engine/Manuel tranny swaps work, and if so would i also need ecu and harness.
I would appreciate any input.

 

you will need to stick with your generation TL engines.

as the newer J32a3's and J35's have their heads cast in the block. so, you wont be able to use CL's headers.

 

I'm talking about a full engine swap for the j35a5 and such, was only thinking about different block and heads for the 03 cls 6mt swap i was originally planning to do but now I'm trying to figure out what other j series engines i can swap for my original 01 tlp since its toast but I've maintained the car very well.

 

sounds viable, if you got everything. ecu, engine, tranny

technically, they are all J-series and would have the same mounting points.
at least the J32s.


the J35's have different mounting points and need a different tranny than the AV6. the bell housing is differnt

 

but the j32a2 is stronger than the J32a3 because of the heads.

so, it would probably be best to stick with the J32a2

 

So then what else do i need to swap in the j32a2 into my 01tlp? Will it just work with the ecu, harness, etc, or is there more that needs to be done? I can just drop in an 02-03 tls engine and it will work?

 

You can drop in the J32A2 (02-03 TL engine) it bolts right up. I would personally swap over the ECU as well to take advantage of the different tuning.

I wouldnt waste my time on a J32A3. If you are going to put any engine in i would drop in a J35A3 and swap over cams from at minimum a J32A2. I have cams from a J37 in my J32 heads.

Any motor over the J32A2 or J35a3 has cast exhaust manifolds and you dont necessarily want those.Any motor past the 07-TLS engine has a different bell housing and requires much more work to get it to work as you will be swapping much more wiring and they are drive by wire as well so you will be swapping over gas pedals too to go with it. It can be done and if you do your homework you can get a newer 07-08 TLs motor and trans and swap over ecu and wiring cluster etc.. and be able to tune it with Hondata