hannamand

Need some advice. The engine in my 2004 TL, 6MT, A-Spec, Nav finally bit the dust. Looks like rings on one maybe two cylinders are gone (pull the dipstick with the engine running and the blow-by is so bad it looks like a steam train).

KBB shows the value of the car in the $1,000 - $2,000 range... I suppose that's assuming a running car.

The good:
- Replaced the shocks and Struts with TIEN
- Replaced the brakes with slotted and drilled rotors and ceramic pads
- Replaced all the wheel bearings

The bad:
- The steering column has some play in it (If I were to pull the engine I'd replace the steering column too)
- The Engine (of course)
- The interior (Drivers seat, dashboard (of course) need attention.
- There was a bit of damage to the front bumper cover towing it.

Cost of an off the shelf rebuilt engine is about $6,000. A Rebuild kit is about $1,000, not including machine shop work (I could rebuild it myself if I had time, I don't particularly want to spend that time, too many other projects).

I live in DFW, TX.

Questions:
- Go Big? Is there anyone in the area that builds High performance engines? I'm thinking of a video I saw a while back where someone squeezed 600hp - 700hp out of the engine, the cost would be more palatable if I was putting in something with extra ponies under the hood. - Is there a cheaper way of putting in a 0 hour engine?
- I thought about getting a salvage engine, but then I don't know if I'll just be putting in something that's going to cause problems in a few thousand miles again (If I'm going ).
- Are the KBB numbers right? AutoTempest doesn't show any for under $5,000, and none are a-spec.

vpasla1

Having a mileage number would help.

These engines are pro bulletproof so I would not hesitate to put a used engine in. Might be worth putting in a 3.5L. There's been many engine swaps on here so lots of feedback available.

hannamand

North of 150k miles (I want to say 170k +). Obviously a used engine's remaining life would depend on how the previous owner took care of it (that's the wildcard, just like the one that's in it now, I have no idea what happened in the first 120k miles).

Good feedback on the 3.5L! I guess that's the J35xx I'll have to do some research into that, bell housing bolt up, computer change, etc?

El_Cheapo

Honestly, I would not put a $6k rebuilt engine into that car because of its mileage and cosmetic damage. Post some pictures to assess its condition.

If you really want to keep the car, then put a used engine. Search on car-part.com

zeta

iTrader: (1)

You should be able to find and install a low mileage J35A6 out of the 05+ Odyssey (LX/EX only) and call it a day.
Besides, how badly can a soccer Mom abuse an Odyssey? That's as long as the oil has been changed.

Refer to teh CL's excellent thread below:

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-p...spd-tl-964791/

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

csmeance

have you had a mechanic or someone do a compression and leak down to make sure its the rings? I'd replace the PCV and maybe run slightly thicker oil like Liquid Moly 5W-30 and see how it does. As far as the steering column play, have you checked the lower control arm bushings, tie rod ends or the rack itself?

GhostTL09

iTrader: (1)

i'LL buy for $500, don't listen to anyone else on here

hannamand

Thanks for the link! I've been searching the site for A J35 swap thread since yesterday.

hannamand

Naw, it's been burning oil for a while. I thought it might be valves needing adjustment, but it left my son on the side of the road and I trailered it home. Once I got it home I turned the key to see if it would fire and to my surprise it started right up (I guess it just needed to cool down). Pulled the dipstick and every time that cylinder comes around I get a puff of smoke.

Steering column has been verified that there's play in the slider shaft of the steering column... my guess is that a previous owner hit a curb hard. I've driven it that way for three years and except for a little wobble at around 75mph it doesn't bother me, at least not enough to pull the engine to replace the steering column. Now that my hand has been forced for pulling the engine... might as well take care of that too.

El_Cheapo

Good point on calling out the PCV. OP said the car was also burning oil. I second doing a compression test.

I have seen bad PCV valves cause too much pressure in the crankcase. Here's some examples of what I'm talking about.

hannamand

I thought I'd give it a try, and $30 of a PCV is a small investment. The PCV was bad, but didn't change the situation.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

didn't change it but probably caused it...that shit has to go somewhere.
I'm at 193K and the engine runs smooth as a silk worm...
Slap an Odyssey motor in (based on the @zeta suggestion, he knows his shit) and call it a day.

As far as resale...they assume shit condition and auto...the manual you would be able to sell for 4 grand and above all day
right now because they are getting pretty scarce. Type S manual probably doubles that. Kinetic blue type s at least 10 times
that.

zeta

iTrader: (1)

Just as a point of reference.
rockstar143, I know you regularly maintained (oil changes, et al) the fiancé's Odyssey, when you had it; however, was there ever a time, when you were a passenger, and the SO beat on it when driving? The Odyssey, of course.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

LOL...
she never punched it like I do...but she is heavier on the throttle to accelerate than I am when I'm TRYING to save gas.


but your point, no sir...that's not the life for her...easy going on that engine.

El_Cheapo

Depends on location. I recently saw a 3G A-Spec 6MT in good condition sit on craigs for a while. The seller kept lower the price until it reached $2800 OBO.

Things are rough in some places right now because of Covid-19.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

It also helps to know the right market to try and sell to...
on here, I bet it would sell.

hannamand

Agree, probably what caused it. Then again, the guy who owned it before me was a racer, so who knows what the engine has been through... it might have seen a nirto shot or two in it's day. The guy before him did radios, when I got it the trunk was gutted and factory sub was disconnected...

Yup, I've located a J35A6 locally for ~$700, I figure I'll go ahead and put on a timing belt, water pump, etc before dropping it in. Of course this is a good excuse to order a two post lift (since I'm going to save a few grand going this way dontcha know). Hopefully the car will be good for another 100k.