Used Motor or J36 Build? J Series Knowledge Needed!!
09-25-2013, 06:56 PM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Used Motor or J36 Build? J Series Knowledge Needed!!
Recently my car's bottom end bent or broke something and cause the piston to shatter and turn my motor to a nice paper weight.
Options:
1. Find a local used motor.
Pros: Cheaper, less down time, and less labor
Cons: Finding trustworthy source, don't really know the engine history, same power
2. Build J36 setup
Pros: More Power, Fresh start, know what I have
Cons: Cost, down time, lack of j series knowledge.
As far as a used motor the only one I have found has 177,000 miles but mine had 188,000. And the car was wrecked from the front. Doesn't look severe but u never know.
As far as the J36 I would need a J32a3 block, j37 crank and rods, j35 pistons, j35 or kms valve train. I'm looking at trying to get all the information and cost I would need to get this monster together. I've read where using the j37 crank need a spacer to correct the length but haven't confirmed. Other than that I don't know of anything else to keep this from going together.
Thoughts, suggestions, experience, knowledge?
Options:
1. Find a local used motor.
Pros: Cheaper, less down time, and less labor
Cons: Finding trustworthy source, don't really know the engine history, same power
2. Build J36 setup
Pros: More Power, Fresh start, know what I have
Cons: Cost, down time, lack of j series knowledge.
As far as a used motor the only one I have found has 177,000 miles but mine had 188,000. And the car was wrecked from the front. Doesn't look severe but u never know.
As far as the J36 I would need a J32a3 block, j37 crank and rods, j35 pistons, j35 or kms valve train. I'm looking at trying to get all the information and cost I would need to get this monster together. I've read where using the j37 crank need a spacer to correct the length but haven't confirmed. Other than that I don't know of anything else to keep this from going together.
Thoughts, suggestions, experience, knowledge?
09-26-2013, 01:17 AM
#4
Dallas Chapter Leader (Midwest Region)
There is a thread on the J36 build, i know i have read about it, and its spendy.
LKQ salvages cars all over the country and sells parts off them. They carry many engines with VIN mileage ect so you can be sure your getting a quality OEM part and they are reasonable. I have ordered alot from them at my old body shop front front clips/doors/wheels/ you name it.
http://www.lkqonline.com/custom/prod..._ENG&year=2006
LKQ salvages cars all over the country and sells parts off them. They carry many engines with VIN mileage ect so you can be sure your getting a quality OEM part and they are reasonable. I have ordered alot from them at my old body shop front front clips/doors/wheels/ you name it.
http://www.lkqonline.com/custom/prod..._ENG&year=2006
09-26-2013, 08:00 AM
#5
Pro
iTrader: (6)
OP was the head damaged? If not you can pic up a use j35A4 or j35a6 and use the bottom end (check tolerances of course) Could get the long block for $700 or less with 100k or less, might even find a short block for less. If the head was damaged you could take either j35 and swap your cams over, port match the IM on the 3.5 and you would see a noticeable power improvement for a lot less than building a 3.6. You could even pic up a used set of TLS, 05 RL or 09 MDX cams. Just an option would be cheaper than 3.6 build.
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09-26-2013, 08:21 PM
#10
Instructor
Thread Starter
Yeah I know!! It never even gave me any trouble it just died. No idea why. Car has always been maintenanced religiously.
There is a thread on the J36 build, i know i have read about it, and its spendy.
LKQ salvages cars all over the country and sells parts off them. They carry many engines with VIN mileage ect so you can be sure your getting a quality OEM part and they are reasonable. I have ordered alot from them at my old body shop front front clips/doors/wheels/ you name it.
http://www.lkqonline.com/custom/prod..._ENG&year=2006
LKQ salvages cars all over the country and sells parts off them. They carry many engines with VIN mileage ect so you can be sure your getting a quality OEM part and they are reasonable. I have ordered alot from them at my old body shop front front clips/doors/wheels/ you name it.
http://www.lkqonline.com/custom/prod..._ENG&year=2006
OP was the head damaged? If not you can pic up a use j35A4 or j35a6 and use the bottom end (check tolerances of course) Could get the long block for $700 or less with 100k or less, might even find a short block for less. If the head was damaged you could take either j35 and swap your cams over, port match the IM on the 3.5 and you would see a noticeable power improvement for a lot less than building a 3.6. You could even pic up a used set of TLS, 05 RL or 09 MDX cams. Just an option would be cheaper than 3.6 build.
Pm me? And paste a link to thread? Thanks.
Last edited by 96cd5; 09-26-2013 at 08:28 PM.
09-26-2013, 08:43 PM
#11
Safety Car
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Well if you want the cams lmk. Mdx cams are lighter but the same specs as tls. Tls cams have been swapped in for a while now so they are proven to work and be durable. Mdx is I ono since they only cam out a few years ago. Mdx cams are pressed on to lobes. Tls are ground like tradititional camshafts
Both will have better specs then the current j32a3 cams
Both will have better specs then the current j32a3 cams
09-27-2013, 12:04 PM
#12
Pro
iTrader: (6)
Forgot to mention in the previous post and it is actually the best option. The J35a5 out of an 04-06 MDX, Honda rated it about 5hp less and 20lb-ft tp more than your current engine the j23a3, with a better cam and raised compression you will see a very noticeable power improvement. It will bolt right up to your trans, plus you are getting spun cast cylinder sleeves, forged crank and rods. The compression is a little lower but you have two options have your current heads inspected and milled if possible or do the same to the MDX heads, I can get heads milled for $35/ per head if I bring them bare, or use thinner head gaskets with the MDX heads to pick compression back up. With either option pick up a 05 RL (set in BM now $325 new), TLS (set used on BM with mag 3.5 IM $350), or 09 MDX cams. I would recommend port matching the intake ports while you have every thing apart. You may have to swap some of the sensors but if you buy a long block you should have them.
I'm basicly doing the same thing now in a 2G with an 02 MDX 94K long block that I picked up from a salvage yard yesterday for $260 w/ no core charge. If your going to replace the engeine it only makes since to go bigger for the same money. I'm budgeting about $1200 for long block, cams and spring, complete gasket set, timing set w/water pump, and headers. I will also be doing some head work while I'm in there but I can have that done on the cheap so it's not really comparable.
A couple other things I did not mention previously, you should really put in the TLS spring with what ever cams you use and if your bringing your head to a machine shop to have it milled you should see what they will charge you for a valve job. Hope this helps.
I'm basicly doing the same thing now in a 2G with an 02 MDX 94K long block that I picked up from a salvage yard yesterday for $260 w/ no core charge. If your going to replace the engeine it only makes since to go bigger for the same money. I'm budgeting about $1200 for long block, cams and spring, complete gasket set, timing set w/water pump, and headers. I will also be doing some head work while I'm in there but I can have that done on the cheap so it's not really comparable.
A couple other things I did not mention previously, you should really put in the TLS spring with what ever cams you use and if your bringing your head to a machine shop to have it milled you should see what they will charge you for a valve job. Hope this helps.
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