narkotsky666

Hi,

Searched all around the forum but found no information regarding this.
Basically I have to replace my '99 TL J32a1 engine and although technically it is the same engine in 2000-03 TL computer tells a different story. Also availability of straight '99 J32a1 is much worse then for 2000-03 engines. Now is the question? - did anyone do it? Took for example J32a1 from '03 TL and put into '99 TL? Will tranny fit? Will PCM work? etc etc - any information is greatly appreciated - engine is dead atm

my.daily'tl'

Its been done before. Look around. FYI 99 engine is different from 00-03.

narkotsky666

I looked around - couldn't find anyone who's done this. Saw threads going from J32a1 to J32a2 etc.

Tomb Acura

Give up. Get a newer car. The rest of the thing is past it's usable life..

ParaSurfer1979

May i ask why youre looking at the newer j32?

assclown

iTrader: (1)

What are you smoking?

I don't know much about the 99, I have a 2000 and swapped a J32a2 in.

I don't think anyone has done a 99 a1 to a 00-03 a1, think everyone has gone a2. But I understand you want to do something that's probably just plug and play. The tranny will definitely fit, the question is whether your pcm will do it. I know the 99's had different intake manifold but that's all I can think of engine wise. So I can't answer that question for you.

I got from the original post that he was asking because the j32a1 from the 2000-2003 models are easier to find and probably cheaper. 99 not so much.

narkotsky666

1. J32a1 from 99 are hard to find and they have over 100k on them. I have couple J32a1 from 00-03 range that are about 500$ in New England and have less then 50k miles. And I'm trying to do as less labor as possible.

2. My car basically not so old Has a new radiator, wheel & tires, Eibach suspension lowering kit & antiroll bars, tranny been replaced, disk rotors and brakes etc all less then a year old. So I'm not sure I wanna just trash it - rather keep it.

assclown

iTrader: (1)

I understand where you come from. I wouldn't trash the car until you either total it or the transmission goes. Fsttyms1 has over 400,000 miles on his chassis.... he's taken good care of his car and changed power trains, but the car as a whole has been good to him.

my.daily'tl'

Exactly.

The 99 was a j32a1 engine w/4speed and 00-03 came from factory with j32a2 w/5speed. More of the latter are available being they were produced 4 years to one. Yes they will swap. The engine and some sensors are different. I dont think anyones done 00-03 j32a1 swap. Its usually vice versa.

ParaSurfer1979

Why not just rebuild your motor with Hi compression pistons from 04-08 3.2 tl and RL cams?

narkotsky666

The engine has 286k on it and #6 ignition plug blew out of the hole. So I rather replaced it with 'like' low mileage one.

narkotsky666

99 came with J32a1 / 4 speed and 00-03 came with somewhat modified J32a1/5 speed. 00-03 also had J32a2 in type S. So if I can do drop replace with minimal labor for 03 J32a1 it's a winner for me.

narkotsky666

Anyone? looks like no one done this one

fsttyms1

The motor is essentially the exact same (J32A1). The intake and fuel rail/ injectors are the main thing thats different. Id imagine every thing would be 100% plug and play

ParaSurfer1979

So I guess you answered my question about if 99 used coil packs or not. Why are u (OP) just calling Acura with these questions since you're not recieving much clarity in your thread.

narkotsky666

Ordered J32a1 from 03 car - will post updates here on how it goes...

assclown

iTrader: (1)

99 uses coil packs

johnny14

iTrader: (1)

OP......depends on how much money you want to spend on it. There is alot of things that are completely different from 99-01 to 02-03 like dash wiring, engine wiring, sensors, etc. Can it be done. YES. Take it from me who went from a 99 Base to a 03 Type-S. Was it challenging. Hell YES! It may be easier to go from a Base to a Base model but there is still going to be some work involved.

Before jumping into it ask yourself how much money you want to spend on it. If money isnt an option and your wanting to do it because you like the car and dont want to sell it, for a challenge than I say hell with it and do it.

Hope this helps!

fsttyms1

There is almost zero difference between base and base engines. There wont be rewiring or anything. Anything that is different he can pull off his old motor and put it on the new.

narkotsky666

That is exactly my hope Well my mechanic will tell me if there are any specific additional things I will need this coming week.

johnny14

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for claring that up. So it appears to be alot easier going from base to base. So the wiring for the transmission are identical as well? Because the 99 is 4 speed as the newer ones are 5 speed so there has to be some differences in sensors, solinoids, fuse box, ecu, etc wouldn't there? Now if he was going from 99 to 01 its pretty identical but from going to 02 to 03 from a 99 is pretty different. ????

I've never played with the base to base so I'm not sure what all is involved but from base to type-s it's a challenging task. Anyways OP good luck with everything!

fsttyms1

The op isnt changing the trans, just the motor. Motors have nothing to do with the trans wiring.

johnny14

iTrader: (1)

OH well than yes engine should mount right up with no issues base to base!

timberland73

iTrader: (1)

How big of a deal is it to go from base 99 to type-s 02-03? I'm thinking about doing this. No 6 speed tranny as I already have an 03 CLS6 and I just got the tranny replaced in the 99 TL almost a year ago.