I want to swap a good engine and trans from a 2000 into a 99

I have both cars so im guessing i should have everything i need for the swap?

I have been searching on here for a couple hours and havn't found much info on whats going to be required... i do know that the 99 will have a 4 speed trans when the 2000 will have a 5 speed.

Can someone help me out and tell me everything that will need to be swapped over to the 99 from the 2000 to complete the swap?

 

Unfortunately the 99 is the odd ball of the TLs when it comes to wiring. You will need the ECU of course (and with that you will need to either have the dealer program your key to its ECU or swap over its ignition) engine harness, shifter, gauges so that the 5gears show up in the cluster, the sending unit in the fuel tank is different if i remember right because the 01-03 fuel gauges dont work in the 99s and possibly a dash harness so that the shifter lights work properly?

 

any idea how much the dealer would usually charge to reprogram the key?

would i have to take the whole car into the dealer to have that done?

thanks

 

charge about 60 bucks, im also trying to fix a trans on a 99, so theoretically no way u can put 2000 and up on a 99 since those are 5 speeds and 99 is a 4 speed right?

 

For the engine harness and the dash harness, will i be able to plug them in? or is there going to be some wiring involved?

Thanks for the info!

 

Hey JBG-5, You'll probably have both of the motors side by side at some point. If you closely compare the connectors and wiring harness from each, just take anything that is different from the newer design 2000 donor and then carry it over to '99 recipient.

A service manual would be helpful with the details that may vary. Comparing actual wiring schematics will save you alot of guesswork and potential problems involved with the swap.

 

thanks for the advice, i just downloaded a copy of the service manual for myself, wow

I am thinking about purchasing a 99 4 speed transmission to go in with the 2000 engine.

I can see the minor differences in the pictures from the service manual, when it comes to the wiring thou i am currently lost.

Im sure things will be easier once i have the two engines side by side.

 

I'm a bit puzzled.....you have a '99 TL with a bad motor and tranny ? And, you also have a 2000 TL with a good "DONOR" motor and a bad tranny....?

I'm assuming that the '99 is in better overall condition to be chosen as the recipient for the 2000's motor. But, instead of buying a 4 speed......you may want to consider locating a newer '06-7 Accord tranny for using as a replacement. Better yet, do the stick swap !

 

Yes the 99 is in much better shape then the 2000. The 2000 engine and transmission are Good! The research i have done and experience members on here say the 5 speed isn't as reliable as the 4 speed and id save myself a lot of work just putting another 4 speed in the 99 with the 2000 engine.

I am also running out of money here, college student for motive power, or i would really be interested in the 6 speed swap.

Why not just drive the 2000TL? - I got screwed when i bought the car, subframe is destroyed and they did a good job hiding it.

The 99




The 2000

 

How bad is the sub-frame ?
FYI: The front sub-frame is something that could be replaced, and may end up being considerably easier then doing a motor swap. There are probably parts available used at a good price from a salvage yard. Just take the lip kit off the '99 !

 

I had my local garage, that i used to co op at, have a look at both cars.

Believe me, the 99 is in much better shape.

 

i know this is a little off topic but i have owned those to exact color cars man i miss the red one i recently got in a bad wreck back in july and rolled it 5 times even with no seatbelt, im in the same boat as u i know have the silver one tho a 99 model with a bad trans motor is great car could use alot of touch up but i can put it back together im sure uve already tried this but check ur local pick and pull im checking mine constantly i would rather spend 200 bucks for a tranny than a junkyard rip off or rebuilt rangin 1000 to 3k also check craigslist i know here in texas theres several selling trannys in houston for about 500 i just don feel like making the drive plus would suck if the trannys are shot and there a fly by night operation as im told houston is known for stealing cars and selling them for parts, would really like to get my tl back on the road tho just as a weekend car now tho let me know if u end up doin a swap, ive been hearing alot about the 6speed swap i wonder how much it would cost for a diy project....

 

Quick question guys, i have always pulled the engine and tranny together out the top of frontwheel drive cars.

I see the service manual says to take the engine out from the bottom.

Just want to be sure im not gunna run into problems taking it out. I do not have a hoist to use for the swap.

 

Not sure if this is what you are asking about reprogramming the key. Someone tried to break in to my car, broke the lock. Got a quote for fixing it and they wanted $25 to "reprogram" (a body shop). My remote was shot, so I bought a new remote online which came with very simple instructions. I reprogrammed it myself in less than 5 minutes.

 

So... i have been driving the 99 with the weak transmission this whole time. I decided to finally get it out. It is the first TL tranny i have removed, took me about 6 hours to get out, decent air tools, no hoist.
[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]




Sending the transmission in for a rebuild.

 

in the end it will be less painful on your wallet than the swap, and you have a reliable 4 speed, just keep up with annual atf changes using Honda dw1

ask the shop to use the latest update kits on clutches (Kevlar?) and replace shift selenoids if any doubt on them

may as well replace the engine rear main seal now- 10 bucks to prevent a failure after trans installed

great time to clean the dirt from engine compartment by hand
Have fun, when the going gets tough just remember- its only bolts

 

the engine in your 2000 good? those are desired by Honda owners looking to drop a 6 cyl in a small car,,recover some of the trans repair cost
lots of good parts from your 00? we have a free `for sale by members only` area- the Black Market is title

also plenty of guys with access to body shops who can replace a subframe before lunch, they buy cars to fix and keep for the family, or turn around with repairs that cost them almost nothing,, but you 5 grand

 

The '99 TL with the older design 4 speed tranny was more durable than the newer 5 speed AT in the 2000 and up models. Definitely worth rebuilding, IMO.

The 2000 TL looks like it's in good shape and if it's tranny is good, fix the sub-frame. The front is just a bolt-in replacement. Get a used part for less than $500 and replace the old one.

 

Thanks for the advice, never would have thought about the seal.

As far as the 2000, ill try to get some pictures of the damage so you guys have a better idea with what im dealing with.

 

Hey guys, even with a buddy in the transmission business its going to cost quite a bit to have it fully rebuilt.

Can someone send me in the right direction as far as the 06- 07 accord transmission for this car, instead of me spending hours trying to find the right information.

Thanks in advance.

 

For the 2000 and up models with the 5 speed AT, this is a good thread to read :

https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tl-1999-2003-98/faq-06-07-av6-transmission-swap-905115/ {FAQ/AV6}

For the '99 models with the older 4 speed AT, you're going to have do a lot of searching.
This is not as simple as the 2000 up models bolting in the donor AV6. {'99 = oddball !!!}

 

Thanks for the fast response, Looks like im better off keeping the 4 speed. Im thinking about opening up the transmission and trying a rebuild myself. I am an automotive apprentice, i have lots of access to tools and parts. I know there was a write-up on here, ill keep you guys posted.

 

Okay so as far as the 2000, part number 1 is the subframe that needs to be replaced.




For the 99 I cheaped out and bought a used transmission with a 3 month warranty.

I have it in the car, i followed the instructions from the service manual, fill it up, cycle through gears, reach operating temp and waiting 5 min.... etc.

The car has long delays for gear shift/engagement. When i tried to drive the rpms would shoot up and the car would slow down like its in neutral while trying to shift. It seems like every gear is doing this so i looked over the whole transmission to see if i missed a connector or something, but i havn't found anything wrong. Checked the fluid over and over, and it is full. Used DW-1 from acura. No engine light, engine runs smooth.

The only thing im concerned about is the connector, for the 2nd clutch pack pressure switch, was damaged (wire pulled out). I solder it back together and tested with a light to make sure it had connected, maybe too much resistance in that connector now, or it broke and has no connection at all?

 

I forgot to mention i also flushed the cooler.

 

Hey Johnnybegood_5, Check your local salvage yards for a used subframe crossmember from another 2nd Gen TL. There's some work involved in supporting the drivetrain, but that part can be unbolted and replaced.


For info on replacing the subframe, check out this thread:

https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tl-1999-2003-98/failed-inspection-crossmember-867198/