Hi guys,

I just purchased a 2007 TL-S from an independent seller, for reasons that are really not the main focus of this discussion I ended up buying the vehicle without looking under the hood (i know.)

Anyway, I got it home, and started cleaning it up etc...popped the hood and it BAM the plastic cover says 3.2L VTEC.

I ran the carfax pre-purchase and it yielded a front impact but it was estimated at low damage and the current owner had purchased the car after these repairs were made so they had no explanation.

To be brief, I am seriously concerned that I may have bought a Type-S that has had a 3.2L engine in it and I am having difficulty finding where I can locate the engine VIN plate or where the code itself would be stamped in the block.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

are you sure the motor is not 3.5? It could be the cover that was put on was incorrect. Take off the cover and check if its a 3.2 or 3.5.

I think if its the 3.2, on the intake manifold it would be stamped, if its 3.5 there isn't anything on it (This is a guess, I haven't looked under the hood of a 3.2 but based on photos of people posting here thats what I notice as a difference)

 

Wow.... Pretty foolish thing to do.

Just run the vin for the car and that should tell you plenty. posting pix of it here would be easy and we could tell you right away what the car has and doesn't have.

 

Are you sure its a type s or maybe just a modified base TL to make it look like a type S. Many guys on here have actually done the conversion body vise. . Does the interior look like type s at all. Looks like that dealer didnt know the differnce either or he did and pulled a big one on you ....

 

correct me if im wrong but doesnt type s vin have UA7 in it somewhere. so check the vin

 

All 07-08's are UA7 if I'm not mistaken. C'mon OP, give us some pics to look at!

 

I'll grab some pics. Specifically what do you want shots of?

VIN number returns that of a TL Type-S, interior for type S seems complete, red gauges, LEDs, steering wheel badge, pedals, paddle shift etc.

Brakes/Calipers are from the Type S, Tail lights, front bumper, exhaust are all Type S.


I am going to jack the car up in a bit and see if I can find the VIN plate near the oil pan, if it is there on this motor.

 

take the engine cover off and snap a pic... seems random but check the headrests. they should have type s imprinted on them.

 

Let me know if you need something more specific, and I would love to know what you are/are not looking for. I am excited to learn more about this car even though I plan to finally have a car that I keep factory.

 

pics no workie

 

Damn I was worried they wouldnt, I am too new of a member to upload pics to do PMs. Let me see if I can create a snapfish acct or something

 

 

Let's try this one:

 

upload a quick pic on http://imageshack.us/

 

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/863/engine1.jpg/

 

weird, i couldn't link it up. but looks like type-s engine to me..

the base engines has the acura logo + 3.2 engraved onto it, if im not mistaken

 

 

definitely looks like a J35 Intake Manifold to me



I don't think the 07-08 base IM's looked like this. Or did they? Proof positive way is find the stamp on the engine block. on the front of the block to the right of the pre-cat. left and below the EGR valve. Just a flat spot on the block with J3something on it. think you can find it? It's just under the O2 sensor wires if that helps.

 

is The Dashboard Red? Do You See Type S on The Seats ...If Not Then Its Not A Type S

 

All of the interior/exterior components match a Type-S, I am not concerned that the Chasis build is a base model, what I am concerned about is if there was a motor swap at some point to the 3.2L engine.

 

yup thats how my 07 type s motor looks without cover on.

It could be they just purchased the wrong cover and put it on. If it bothers you that much order a type s engine cover and replace it.

 

Yeah I will probably be purchasing one, I just wanted to be sure before I complete all of the loan paperwork and am stuck with the car.

Side note, I am needing:

Carpeted floor mats
2nd Keyless remote
Type S Engine Shroud
Type S wheels

Any decent websites to use?

 

Glad that it worked out for you.

 

snapped a quick pic for you to compare, so ya it is type-s.

 

Thanks for all the help everyone! I have been an active member of the RSX community at and I look forward to learning more here.

 

here's how you tell if it's the right motor:

Look at this picture and it'll show you where the engine code is. If it's the Base TL it's J32XX if it's a TL-S 3.5 Litre motor than it's J35XX

 

Engine number should be J35A8.

VIN should contain UA7 (only TL-S are UA7).

 

glad you got this thing settled OP. Btw this is a bit off topic but all 07 and 08 tl type s are 3.5 right?

 

Yep