Preparing for the inevitable failure of our 05 TL's auto as it's over 100k now. I've seen the thread where a member successfully swapped in an 06-07 Accord trans and it's encouraging to have a sure option that will work. It's been suggested that the 07-08 TL trans isn't a straightforward swap. What are the difficulties with using this trans? That's my first preference since the Accord 4th and 5th gear ratios are a bit longer than the 04-08 TL.

 

You cannot use an 07+ TL trans as there are more solenoids and the bellhousing bolt pattern is not the same.

I guess I should say you cannot use it as a straightforward direct swap. Inevitably, someone will say you can use it by swapping the ECU and the bellhousing but that isn't straightforward to me.

I don't know for sure on the 06-07 Accord though. I think the entire 03 - 07 Accord uses the J30, which should have a bellhousing matching the 04 - 06 TL. I try to stay away from autos in general so I couldn't say if the Accord is more reliable or not. :/

 

Thanks. Bellhousing is a difficult problem to solve.

Comparing the 06-07 and 06 TL trans, I'm skeptical about the Accord trans being more reliable. Comparing the part numbers that fail (3rd gear clutch?), they all seem to be the same between the two. While Honda made some changes didn't the 06 TL transmissions continue to have problems?

TL:
Acura Parts @ AcuraOEMparts.com - Genuine Acura OEM Parts from Delray Acura

Accord:
Honda Automotive Parts

 

I don't believe it is more reliable, but simply it is readily available and doesn't get the "Acura premium" price tag.

Also considering the slight difference in gear ratio for the 4th and 5th, it shouldn't change much. The A/T TL is already slow in 4th, if anything it'll help save a tiny amount of gas cruising on the highway.

 

They changed the case for 2007 ( mid 2006 TL ) to allow for much improved internal lubrication for gears and clutch packs. All remains got the new cases in 2008. The 2007 accord uses the new case.