Liquidflex81

hey i need some advice fellow aziners!,, ok so apparently my 04 TL 6spd needs a new motor dropped in it,, 3 bad cylinders, warped head, 101,000 miles,, no point in rebuilding it,, so we're gonna get a crate motor dropped in,, rebuilt with new parts kinda deal, but if i'm gonna drop a motor in, i might as well step it up and drop a 3.5 s type in right? is this a direct swap with no modification? better yet, would a 3.7 fit with no problems?

LaCostaRacer

I'm not sure- perhaps you can compare some part numbers for some basic items of the different engines to get an idea. I would check the intake, motor mounts and other parts that connect to the engine to see. My hunch is it will fit.

With the higher gas prices, it might be better to skip the hassle and go with a 3.2 instead.

pohljm

I will let others that are more knowledgeable chime in, but no way is it a direct replacement with no modifications. ECU completely different, tranny is not a direct bolt on, there will be many small issues that you wont realize until you try. I would suggest using your existing engine and rebuilding with new heads and parts to get it to a 3.5. that would be in my mind a much easier route.

I believe the mounts are easy, and it will surely "fit" but those are the least of your worries!

thisaznboi88

iTrader: (7)

the transmission will not bolt up. The pattern is different so you would need a TL-S tranney also.

Bearcat94

Isn't the difference in the stroke?

Hasn't someone taken a 3.2 and built a stroker? An Accord maybe?

Would that be easier than trying to 'fit' the 3.5 or 3.7?

thisaznboi88

iTrader: (7)

yeah its a j36 stroker on an accord.

using your block j32a3 + mdx or pilot j37 crank + RL piston. Good time to get a new head and have it port and polished with 5 angle head job, larger valves, bismoto cams, and etc

pohljm

Thats what I am sayin! much easier route

thisaznboi88

iTrader: (7)

I think op doesn't want to go this route because 3 bad cylinders and warped head. He needs a new block

lilsid112

iTrader: (7)

You could always buy a wrecked TL-S and transplant the motor, trans, ecu, and harness into yours. Im not sure if all of that could be swapped or not but its an option. Don't forget you could part out the car to recoup some of your money back.

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

now that will be an awesome build !!!!

Xiomaro

iTrader: (5)

Bell housings are different on the tranny to the 3.5.

Ima have a type s motor and tranny for sale soon if you're interested. Tranny just needs a new mainshaft bearing. Everything else is golden. Pm me if you want more info

losiglow

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, there's going to be several differences between the ECU and tranny from the 3.2 to 3.5. Out of curiosity, how did you get three bad cylinders and a warped head on that engine?

pohljm

OP could always sleeve the cylinders as part of the re-build.

Liquidflex81

how many miles on the motor and trans?

Liquidflex81

i had just gotten my car back from getting fixed from a minor accident, they had to replace my radiator and some other front end stuff. the idiots that did the job, put WATER instead of a 50/50 mix of coolant and water,, and they didn't even fill it to where it needed to be!.. driving down the turnpike doing 85, bout 45 minutes into the ride.. my temp gauge goes haywire , shot up past the H, the water got so heated it scarred the inside of 3 cylinders and warped the head! then like clockwork, i see blue smoke shooting out the back of my exhaust, yup the head gasgets were fried as well, all you could smell inside the radiator was gas and oil, what a mess! you know for damn sure i am not paying for this, they couldn't apologize enough, frankly i don't want their apology, it was a rookie mistake, not even a rookie mistake, just plain stupidity on their part. so now they paying to put an engine in my car, kinda happy about that part because my car had 101,000 miles, they found a couple of blocks with less than 10,000 miles on em. But if it's gonna get done, i'd like to throw a 3.5 in.

Xiomaro

iTrader: (5)

About 50k

I have a built motor i'm going to be dropping in soon along with a new tranny for my turbo setup.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

OP should replace motor with same motor.

or like everyone else said, stroke the broken one.

pohljm

I would let them replace the motor in like kind and make sure your completely satisfied. Then start to mod. If you start that mod process now there is going to be alot of issues that they are not responsible for so they will just walk away. You cant expect them to do anything else.

losiglow

iTrader: (1)

Wow. That's definitely a rookie mistake alright. Like you said though, silver lining is that you'll get a new engine to replace your 100K miles one .

There are considerations to both options here, but if it were me, I'd go for the 3.2 and work from there on mods. The 3.5 really isn't that much more powerful (what? 30hp or so?) and the additional cost from having to pick up the ECU and tranny wouldn't be worth it to me.

The only reason I'd consider the 3.5 is if you plan on keeping this car for a long time, because you're probably not going to recoup any of your costs if you sell. In fact, it might be a disadvantage if you disclose the situation to the seller. Although some buyers may look at the 'upgrade' as a benefit, many will be concerned that a custom swap like that could cause issues (which it very well might). But on the flip side, the 3.5 with a 6-speed would be pretty sweet so if you're planning on keeping it until it dies then it might be worth it.

thisaznboi88

iTrader: (7)

just get another 3.2 motor. your not getting a 3.5 unless you want to pay for it. its covered by them right?

ez12a

eh...i wouldnt trust that same shop to put an engine in. Can you go to a specialist and have the bad shop write you a check for the parts and work?

petiepablo

can anyone please tell me if i can take out my motor and transmission from my 01 acura cl type s and do a full swap to a 2007 acura tl type s engine and tranny including ecu etc???

only reason is that i found a 2007 full engine etc for cheap and can get the labor done fairly cheap as well, this will cost less than rebuilding my stupid cl transmission for the 3rd time

and plus i figured this may eliminate some of the problems mine has been having with starting etc. since it has 345000kms on it

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^well, you'll need to research if the mounts are the same.

I dont think they are.

petiepablo

thanks for the reply, i have been trying to research where the mounts are located on both of these cars, but haven't had much luck...
if you have any links to where i can find this please help

if not its all good appreciate the reply anyway