I've heard of couple new TL automatics who's done a 3.5L MDX block swaps with CL-S pistons (to clear intake valves) and gained crazy amount of power especially low-end torque . This is a great alternative to those who don't want to get into forced induction (FI) and would like to remain naturally aspirated (NA). Heck, with 10.5:1 compression CL-S pistons vs. 11.0:1 on TL and one can add a supercharger if desired

There is a guy who's just posted a brand new J35A5 ('04 MDX) block for sale with installed CL-S pistons that fits 3rd gen TL AUTO. That's right 0 miles on the block and everything fits right in. The reason I say AUTO is because it was attempted on 6MT and manual tranny housing doesn't fit the block, but AUTO fits right in.

All stock parts, cyl. heads, crank pulleys, sensors, etc. are fully transferable.

Thoughts? Here is an engine block

 

pretty cool, too bad us 6MT guys get the shaft

 

with the 3.5L you should make more torque ACROSS THE BOARD than the supercharger. this will give you guys that jump in power down low your missing.

heres my build in the 2nd Gen Forums. I am not only doing crank/rod/piston swap for displacement but i am adding RL Cams. Best part is: all honda parts. https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=179144

realize, intake/exhaust mods will increase the power gained by the 3.5 considerably.

 

I've tested / tuned the following:

- 3.2 TL MT with intake and header
- 3.2 TL MT, catback with Supercharger
- 3.2 TL Auto, catback with Supercharger
- 3.5 Baja Ridgeline with intake and header with no cat.


Comparing the last two as they both have an auto transmission the supercharged TL Auto has more torque everywhere than the Ridgeline and about 50 peak HP more.

Granted the TL has higher higher compression and (probably) better cams than the Ridgeline, but the supercharger puts it way ahead.

Keep up the good work on your engine build. Good choice of RL cams. They are the most agressive of all the Honda V6 cams.

 

Yep, if anyone wants 3.5L BRAND NEW MDX block with installed NEW CL-S pistons for TL automatic - here is a link

 

Yep, so if anyone wants 3.5L BRAND NEW MDX block with installed NEW CL-S pistons for TL automatic - link

 

Edit: for some reason here, site block actual domain name - when I post that link. So, just enter that name between www. and .net to view the block info.

 

Edit: the word v..6..performance doesn't let me post it here . Remove the dots and post that word between www. and .net in the above link.

 

the 3.5 ridgeline runs a 10.0:1 compression ratio and redlines at 6300 rpms.

a 3.5 CL w/ RL Pistons will run 11.0:1 compression and redlines at roughly 6900 rpms.

not saying your testing is invalid, but see if you can test on a CL/TL with the 3.5.

 

mmmmm....more torque. Too bad it won't work for MT.

 

Something I should think about. It looks like a lot of work though. I would have to talk to my mechanic and see what he says about it. Whether it is a direct fit or not.

 

Will RL cams fit into the TL? If they do, who's going to be the guinea pig? The RL cams could give us a few more ponies.

 

I would like to do it, but I am not a mechanic and that sounds like too much work and too many possible problems. Like I said I am not a mechanic so I might be wrong, it all might be able to just bolt right up.

 

look at it this way, if the CL and TL heads are the same (i dont know this yet) , then the RL cams will fit. as far as CAMS go, at this point all i am changing internally is the actual camshaft and valve springs so they meet the new rate of the valve change. but as you can see i have a whole motor being built, so of course on the side i am changing every gasket/oring/etc and new pullies/belts. its not THAT big of a deal as long as you have a place that knows what their doing.

 

Nah, it's a direct bolt-on. Procedures as follows:
1. Unplug wire harness/Remove existing engine
2. Swap 3.5L block (see pic) with your stock one
3. Install everything back on with new gaskets and that's it

 

Thats not a bad price. You could really push the limits on this block because you will always have a spare.. the original.

 

I like the sound of that.

 

So do I, 3.5 conversion in 3g =

 

It would be nicer if us 6MT guys had a chance with the 3.5 conversion.

 

YOU CAN! the only parts you need to make the 3.5 are crank and rods. all internal. there really is no need to swap blocks, but the only thing im not sure about on the 3g TL is piston and head. i need to check part numbers to see.

 

pistons and cams part #s differ from 2G CL to 3G TL. to the person who first posted above, are you sure CL pistons will clear on the TL head? i bet that you could do the 3.5 setup with just the crank/rods from mdx/odyssey and use your stock TL pistons. this is a nice simple 3.5 and should clear valves.

as far as the cams go, i would bet money they fit. but if you go cams, you will probably need to use RL Pistons. i have a feeling this setup would work.

 

Of course they different part #. But what's the point where new Accord/TL cams have more lift than CL-S

As far as CL pistons clearance positive since valves in CL-S are larger than new TL, so no problem there. Thanks to 02AV6 for great knowledge who posted info on Edit by trancemission

 

And yes 6MT TL guys just need '03-04 MDX crank/rods and keep the stock engine block and pistons. But I'd rather buy a new MDX block (for longevity and no issues) and keep the stock one (just in case) and swap MDX pistons (see above valve size difference) with either CL-S or TL pistons whichever cheaper.

 

RL cams would be a waste of money on TL even if it's fit (see below).


For those who have no clue the larger the size in mm the better

As you can see TL and RL cams specs are very close and any attempt to install RL units would be a waste of money. First the cost of cams $500 (both) + installation which can cost $350 to $700 and its' pretty complex. Now, swapping CL-S/TL-S cams with RL makes sense as which has much less pri and sec lobe lift.

 

There is a reason the site doesnt allow you to post that link, please refrain from doing so.

 

nice info, i figured crank/rods and original pistons would be fine. i just wasn't aware of cam specs on the TL. overall this looks like a good upgrade, i hope someone decides to do it.

 

I have done some major surgery in my time but nothin comes close to this. u guys got some cajones

 

 

That's a rediculous restriction .

I see acurazine mentioned many times on THAT site incl. links and none of the administrators care.

 

sorry you feel that way. thats just the way it is...

 

So for those who have done this mod, anyone got dyno numbers?

I am planning to do this along with the S/C. So all I need is the MDX block with the CL-S piston or put the MDX crank/rods into the stock block right? With the 3.5 conversion there should be some nice torque along with the S/C.

I wonder how much more our 5AT tranny could take...

 

typeR ran a 13.3 on the 1/4 with just a stroker, no blower.

 

My 5AT tranny is holding pretty well. I thought I felt it slipping a few weeks back but nothing since. No problems shifting though. As far as doing the swap I would look into having Dr. Evil do a rebuild on a tranny to handle the additional trq. I know honda isnt known for their transmissions. So if your going to stroke it out, get some low compression pistons made, that way you will be able to run more boost.

 

so what ever came of this. Did any 3g'rs have a successful organ transplant yet? I wanna go the crank/rods route in stock block, but I don't wanna be the ginneua pig on this one!

 

Can anyone confirm that all I need is the rod and crankshaft from the MDX to do this project? This is for a 06 AT TL.

Would it be plug and play? Would I need to fuel tune the engine again?

 

Last time av6ent posted was 5/30/06
Though his last activity on the site was 2 days ago

 

on the j32a2 all you need is crank/rods for the 3.5... this has been confirmed.

for your block i imagine you could do the same, i'll ask around. let you guys know.

 

It's almost 3 months from his last mention of SWAP...... I don't think he'll do it.

Besides, what's the point of swapping into an Oddesy engine when there's already a TL engine. Difference between 3.2 and 3.5 isn't all that much....

Too much time in your hands. I say trade it in and get yourself a G35. That's a 3.5L

 

I think its more of a point of whether or not it can be done, and if so, he wants to do it to be different. You would get a good increase in torque, but loose a little horsepower. But for a boosted car, this would be great, increased displacment and more boost!!

My wife has a MDX, and I am not really all that impressed with the power output of the 3.5l, I know its heavier, but still, it just doesn't have the balls the 3.2l has in the TL. It sounds like a fun project, but I would rather not mess with my TL in this manner. Me personally, I would find a j32 that I could bore and use some 3.5l or larger pistons in. And see if it was possible to turn it into a closed deck. Thats the way I would go.

 

I was just looking on AcuraOemparts.com and the RL Block is about twice the price of the MDX. I wonder why. The part number is different and they are both 3.5 liters. what is the difference that the RL would cost almost 4k.