PintoMusic

When I look on Wikipedia and elsewhere, I see that the J35Z2 engine was discontinued on Honda vehicles in 2012 - but started getting used on the 2013-2018 RDX, but on no other /Acura/Honda vehicles.

So I'm curious why they ditched the engine for other Honda cars, but felt it was the only VCM-equipped V6 engine they could use in the RDX for another 5 years.

By most accounts, the engine seems reliable... but it's still interesting that Honda would keep it around for that purpose, instead of consolidating their engines/inventory/support and supply chain if they weren't using that engine anywhere else anymore.

Any thoughts?

altair47

This is an elementary economy, the engine is reliable and does not break, so no one buys it and no one needs it.

Tech

Never thought about it much, but what about the MDX? Does it not use that same engine?

If could be that they needed a vehicle with VCM for Acura's more inefficient vehicles like an SUV.

altair47

MDX of the second generation have the J37A1 engine, and on the third they installed the J35Y5 with direct injection, all these engines are different and the only thing they have in common with the J35Z2 is the timing mechanism.

PintoMusic

As far as I know... compared to even Toyota, Nissan, etc... Honda sure has a lot of different engine codes for that one displacement of engine.

If Wikipedia is right, then this is where the engine was used

• 2008-2012 Honda Accord (except V6 6MT coupe)
• 2010-2012 Honda Accord Crosstour / Honda Crosstour
• 2013-2018 Acura RDX
• 2007-2012 Honda Inspire (Japanese market, marked as J35A 280ps)

So why wasn't it good enough for the Accord/Crosstour anymore, but soldiered on for another 5 years in a new generation of RDX (at the time) when Honda had other VCM versions of the J-engine they could've used?

Yes, yes... I know I'm overthinking it... but it's interesting either way.

altair47

You are right, I made a detailed comparison of the engine elements and found out that 80% of the parts are the same, 18% are also the same but they were simply renamed (according to the catalog they were set to 16-18 RDX, although it is called J35Z2), 2% are valve covers that have become plastic and oil filter housing, which received a collar to keep oil from splashing during filter replacement. From all this we can conclude that J35Z2 and J35Y1 are practically the same engines and are perfectly interchangeable.

Clickit02

[QUOTE So why wasn't it good enough for the Accord/Crosstour anymore, but soldiered on for another 5 years in a new generation of RDX (at the time) when Honda had other VCM versions of the J-engine they could've used?
Yes, yes... I know I'm overthinking it... but it's interesting either way.[/QUOTE]

I know it does not make sense in many instances, but it is typical for car manufacturers not to share many options between divisions, engines including. For example, 2.0L turbo engine in VW makes less HP and torque vs 2.0L turbo engine in Audi A4/Q5. Toyota and Lexus do not share software, as Toyota's is much better. Etc., etc., ...

dtownfb

I bet if you went back to when the new nodels were released you would read why Honda was making the changes to these models and the adjustments to these engines. The RDX is a pretty small vehicle to have 3.5L engine. But Honda needed to differentiate the RDX from the CR-V. I'm guessing this engine worked fine in the RDX (fuel economy, power and reliability) until they could develop the turbo 4.

fcostantini

That engine was also used in the 2004-2007 Saturn Vue, exchanged with GM as some part of technology sharing agreement.

PintoMusic

OK... so this makes sense. Honda issues new engine codes for the smallest changes... including accessories. GM or Nissan though, will use the same engine code (that we see anyway) for engines that aren't in any way interchangeable between models.

Midnight Mystery

I've noticed the same, and it's very confusing until you really start to know your stuff.