mp3car

My '05 TL will be getting a big brother soon, I'm buying my Dad's MDX from him...

It is a 2002. Anyone know what was changed from 2002 to 2003 that gave it the extra 20hp ?? i think they are both 10:1, so maybe cam/ecu changes?

kurt_bradley

The engine is actually all-new on the 2003 vs the 2002 model. It is lighter, more powerful (in HP and TQ), more compact, and even more efficient (it went up 1 mpg on hwy mileage). The torque output noticed a flatter curve, and the engine received the upgrade of drive-by-wire throttle.

The car itself also received a few upgrades. The chassis is updated to be lighter yet stiffer. The suspension received numerous refinements to give it better on-road manners (seeing that no one took this off-road). VSA with traction control was introduced as a additional safety feature (as the previous cars featured TCS). New wheels were offered for both models with the upgraded Michelin Cross Terrain SUV tires equipped on the Touring Package. Touring models also received rain-sensing windshield wipers as an upgrade.

New introductions to the Touring Package-equipped model for 2003 included the availability of a Rear Entertainment System (DVD player with IR wireless headphones and a split screen control on the headunit to allow control to override audio output from the front controls). The navigation system received a thorough upgrade including nearly 130 voice-activated commands to ensure easier menu usage and input, updated landmarks and destinations that increased from 3 million to 7 million points, and the safety upgrade of a full-color-displayed rearview camera when in reverse.

mp3car

had no idea there was a camera on it...

VSA would be nice, as would the extra 20hp and flatter torqe curve... but... for the price I'm taking the 2002 in a hearbeat! (like i said, buying it from my dad, so getting a good deal )

I'm not sure that i would agree that the engine is "all-new" since the bore and stroke are exactly the same, as is the CR.

p.s. did you copy/paste that from somewhere?

kurt_bradley

<-- Works for Acura (3rd year now) and had 2 years with Honda before that.

I'm basically about the most knowledgeable person on here when it comes to Honda/Acura bits. The engine is definately new. Literally, it is lighter and more compact.

GIBSON6594

And the most modest

j/k kurt knows his shit

mp3car

i just read that the the '02-240hp is J35A3, the '03-260hp is J35A5. If it is similiar to the B16 and B18 series engines, then the A3 and A5 difference probably still used the same block, but different heads/cams/pistons/etc. Like a B18C1 and a B18C5, GSR/Type-R... correct me if I'm wrong...

I also just read that the saturn vue has a J35! learn something new everyday!

kurt_bradley

The only Vue model that features the J35 is the Red Line model. It features the variant of the J35 that was used in the 1st gen MDX/Pilot. They use the 240 hp motor.

Infamous425

non redline v6 vue's use it too

Speed_Racer

Yup and it's got 250hp not 240hp.

mp3car

So if it's the motor from the earlier MDXs, the J35A3, and has 250hp, you mean to tell me that in honda's cars it has 240hp and in the saturn it has 250?? Sad But, I will say that the MDX that i will be buying from my dad is certainly pretty quick... I mean it's not my TL, but it's not bad at all...