*** If this has already been discussed, just shoot me the link to the thread ***

About a month ago, took my mom to visit one of her "shut-in" church members. Under her carport was an Acura with the hood up. Outside of my TL, never paid much attention to other Acuras but this Acura's engine definitely looked like mine. With over an HOUR to burn, figured out it was a 2G RL with the J35A8, the same engine moniker as the 3G TL-S. So riddle me this.

Could you THEORETICALLY create an AWD TL?

NOTE: You've just won the lottery, you're VERY STUPID with money, and you REALLY LOVE your auto trans 3G. This caveat hopefully limits the "But why though" and "Anything's possible with money" responses since they'll likely make up the first XX comments.

Assuming it's the same J35A8 and you found another way to route exhaust, could you literally set the RL engine on the same mounting points and fabricate mounts for the drive shaft, rear differential, and rear drive axle? Likely also fabricate a shorter drive shaft since the RL wheelbase is 5.8 cm longer than the TL. Maybe replace the gas tank with a fuel cell. Could you direct-swap the RL ECU to cover the AWD parameters and maybe retain all the TL mechanical (if not luxury) functionalities? On paper, this seems like the least headache-inducing method of accomplishing this IMO but regular maintenance on the TL is the limit of my mechanical expertise. Very interested to hear you guy's thoughts.

 

Yes, could be done, with an insane amount of money. You're better off just buying the RL. Be the first!!!

 

Depends on your reason for wanting AWD.

If you want some sort of handling advantage....SH AWD is extremely complex. You would need to know what you're doing if you wanted the system to actually work. And tune all the software, etc.

If you just want AWD so you don't get stuck in the snow...I'm sure you can pretty easily find a way to toss in a CR-V drivetrain or buy a tractor or something.

 

This smells like all those who've tried making a 6MT out of a 5AT. If endless cost overruns, assorted headaches, and suicidal tendencies are your thing,
Then I say GO FOR IT!
.

 

Correct

the car that started your thought process also exists already and is dirt cheap lol

Buy an RL.

Or buy a AWD 4G TL.
Also affordable.
And ....yes, ugly.

 

Not worth it, the RL SH-AWD is version 1.0 which robs a LOT of power, almost 1/3rd to the wheels. You'll certainly feel the lack of speed.

IMO, buy an AWD 4G TL drivetrain and swap that in if possible. Way more modern electronics that should be easier to integrate.

 

This guy made RL motor & sh awd fully functional in a civic hatch. It can be done, but it won't be easy or cheap


skip to about 5m 30sec in.

 

Somebody has 2JZ swapped an S2K.
Somebody has LS1 & RWD swapped an EG hatch.
Someone has twin-engined a Golf GTI.
Someone has J35 swapped an STi.
Someone has 350 SBC swapped an original Beetle.

Cars are just metal and wires. Literally, anything is possible.

 

Anything IS possible when it comes to car swaps, but like many things in life, you have to ask yourself: is the juice worth the squeeze?

 

I have never heard that expression before. Thank you. I almost spit out my coffee!

 

You guys are funny.
Recently saw one of those Someones on yt running awd turbo J series STI.

There are more specific details on the RL civic build here:
https://www.enginebasics.com/Civic%20Type%20RL.html

 

you have never heard “is the juice worth the squeeze” how long have you been on this earth??!

 

Appreciate all the input, guys. I've watched alot of YT vids too with all the different swaps but noticed the common denominator in most of them is they all owned their own shops and had "friends" with necessary power-ups like AutoCAD access, metal fabricating equipment, unlimited dyno access, etc. And since they were YT-ers, they made it seem as though alot of the parts were either free or heavily discounted via Sponsors. Screw it.

 

​​​​​​​Maybe almost as long as you've been a jerk??

​​​​​​​JK!!!

 

I’ve been chatting with S1Built performance you can check them out on IG and YouTube. They have confirmed down the road an AWD kit will be made for the 3G. Right now they are focusing on the money makers like the civics and other Acuras. One of their recent videos on YouTube shows a 2G TL and 7G Accord coming in for an AWD conversion!