fsttyms1

Did you fill the TQ converter with fluid before you put it on?

yody

No damage to tranny, I used the matching converter to the new transmission, and yes I filled the torque converter.....

I do have an update

Drove the car some more today. The noise miraculously went away. I have a feeling one of the shaft bearings was dry. It took 6 quarts of fluid to fill this one, so it must of been bone dry, plus it had likely been sitting for 4 years.... I'm gonna do a 3 quart flush soon, I used new oil sensors, filter, and Redline D4, but the fluid that was in there was kinda gross, prob water contaminated. I also re-used the newer filter system, pretty much same thing but I like the cheaper more easier to inspect, dropin filter

This thing is beautiful, shifts so smooth, no more clunking or whining like my old trans. I also did the rear main seal and put some redline 10/30 in the engine. Having a ultra smooth transmission and no more nasty oil leak under the car is a big improvement.

crazy how the noise just came and went, it sounded pretty bad.

yody

Oh and also I modified the end of the shifter cable. Got rid of the cheap plastic eyelet that connects the shifter rod to the lever. That thing can melt if you overheat, or just break off from being brittle.

I ended up using a 1/4 chase on the end of the rod shaft, and getting a 1/4 female heim joint and screwed it on the rod. Then cut off the button on the lever where the old eyelet attached, and drilled and tapped a hole.

Heres some pics;

3.2TLc

Good tip !
Sometimes the simple stuff gets overlooked at times.

Brandle34

Hopefully going to do the swap this next week/weekend! As far as parts I need to order... Rear main seal, Cooler filter, and Internal filter?

Are there any other parts that anyone recommends ordering?

Thank you for info!

03blackbeast

Those and tranny fluid are the only things I took for mine. Some guys replace the solenoids and the tranny mounts but that could easily double the cost of the tranny. I would recommend buying the filters at Autozone and buy the cheaper internal filter. You'll probably also notice that there's 2 and that one of them fits both of the trannies but it's more expensive and not necessary since the cheaper one is the better upgraded design. Get the cooler filter for the 03 TL it's cheaper that way and since you'll be swapping everything out so you'll need that one anyway. The rear main seal was cheaper to buy at the dealership surprisingly so I would do a price comparison and see. The filters were half the dealer price at Autozone though. Hope that helps!

Memphlow

Adding to the post above I agree with using the internal style filter from Advance and Autozone as well for a couple of reasons. First for the price point (About $7.50 each) and the ability to easily inspect it when changing it, you will have to cut open the TL spin on filter. You will have to have your mechanic leave the assemble on the AV6 transmission and not swap it with the assembly on the TL transmission. It is the assembly that parts 23 & 24 screw into on the attached diagram. Good Luck!

Brandle34

I was reading that some people replace the pressure switches as well?

MBP 03

It's not required, but with the relatively low cost of new 3rd and 4th gear pressure switches, it might be a good idea to replace them for peace of mind if the AV6 transmission has higher miles on it and you have a few extra bucks in your swap budget.

3.2TLc

Yeah, it's not really necessary if the tranny has lower mileage, but if ya don't mind spending a few extra bucks for cheap insurance, go for it now.....as it's torn apart and easier to access.

Juicebox00

iTrader: (2)

Thank you for this! I just finished a custom wire harness to incorporate the 5spd +/- on my 2000 accord with a J32 and I'm using an 06 Accord trans. You just made my life so much easier!! haha

Brandle34

Picked up an '06 accord trans for $590 and now I just need to know a ballpark range of labor hours.. When calling around I know I'll be getting the "Labor Optimizer" kind of software telling the mechanic it'll take 8.8 hours for a $600+ install and I've had my TL's 2nd trans replaced in under 3 hours - I assume the AV6 swap would be about 4-6hr job?

About how many hours did this take for all of you or your mechanic/buddy?

d0ch0l1d4y

My mechanic didn't quote me hours, but for a straight swap and me providing all the parts he was going to charge me $500.

At the end of the day, I had him do some extra work and labor ended up at $630.

BoriTL

still trying to find answers, has anyone done the swap on a 99??

03blackbeast

My mechanic didn't quote me hours either. Original quote was for $500 but he ended up charging $575 because it took longer than he thought. I dropped it off Friday they started work Tuesday and finished on a Thursday. They thought it would only take a day. I would estimate around $600 for labor.

3.2TLc

Yeah, there are some extra misc. items that may come up and be taken care of at the time of replacement. Read all the "AV6" threads for some of the things which are easily done during the installation.

A few extra bucks for labor is worth every dollar at this time, rather than going back in later. So....do your homework and you'll be well rewarded by a totally rejuvenated tranny which will add years to your TL's extended life. Money well spent !!!

Don't go cheap, ......normally figure between $1500 and $2000 for a low mileage "AV6" tranny installed into our ailing TL's. Then it's just a matter of basic PM from then on into the next 100,000 miles. yeah baby !

d0ch0l1d4y

I seem to recall that the '99 wasn't directly compatible with the AV6. One of the other threads on here said it's basically the same amount of cost and work to change out to a manual 6-speed and generally not worth the effort.

fsttyms1

No. The 99 is a 4 speed. The AV6 is a 5 speed. You will have to do quite a bit more to get it to work properly (ie ecu, shifter, wiring etc..)

blackwdl

Awesome write up! Thank you so much! This made the swap so much easier. Surprisingly I have 184k on the original transmission and just now having to replace it.


One thing I ran into, is I tried to keep the 07 accord cooler so that I would not have to worry about cleaning the old one. It also looked like it may flow better due to the larger openings and looked like a improved design. When finishing up the swap, I noticed the bracket that holds up the 2nd throttle body was not there. I then found out that it would not go on with the accords cooler and had to clean and put my old one back on anyways.

But if you have a TL-S you have to switch out bracket #2/30 on the diagram below:

Brandle34

Yep I have a TL-S. Thanks I'll note that in my printoff for the mechanic. So far the winner I found is a quote for $495 labor for 7.6 hours

3.2TLc

Super deal, GIT_R_DUN....."AV6" .....let us know how things turn out !!!

BoriTL

Love the TL so just trying to find an alternative for future purposes, wanna keep it as long as i can but if i have to change another tranny out, won't be worth keeping for me unless i can do the AV6 swap. I have a rebuild right now with about 6k miles but man how ridiculously unreliable the trannies are for being a HONDA. And all of us know once you have kids your money gets drained away pretty quick....

Labor is not an issue at all, as i have all the tools needed, only thing i'm not familar with would be the wiring harness, but i have a friend that has done multiple swaps on DB7's, preludes, accords, etc. So he's more than welling to help if the need came around, was just trying to get a general is it possible and what would need to be done before ever jumping into it??

fsttyms1

99s are very reliable. The unreliable ones are the 00-03 5 speeds. If your rebuild fails its most likely due to a bad rebuild.

3.2TLc

Yeah, if as Fsttyms1 previously stated.......the '99 TL's had a much more durable tranny than the newer designed and flawed 2000 and up model TL's 5 speeds.

With that being said, along with the fact that ya have a freshly warranted rebuild, don't sweat things until if ya may start having issues down the road.

Considering the present age of the TL, ya should be good for several more years or until ya get sick of the car. so, quit worrying about it !!!

blackwdl

If anyone is wondering, here is the gear ratios for the different 5AT transmissions

TL-P
1st
2.563
2nd
1.552
3rd
1.021
4th
0.653
5th
0.470
Rev
1.846
Final Gear ration
4.428

TL-S
1st
2.563
2nd
1.552
3rd
1.021
4th
0.727
5th
0.520
Rev
1.846
Final Gear ration
4.428

06 Accord
1st
2.563
2nd
1.552
3rd
1.022
4th
0.727
5th
0.520
Rev
1.846
Final Gear ration
4.429

3.2CLSx2

So guys, your saying if I have a type s auto 03 cl I can use the av6 from 3.0 accord and I will eliminate my trans issues??...

3.2CLSx2

Also, im not sure if I have a cooler or not, I bought my car brand new, I only have 60k on it but trans just went...does the cooler come stock or was it a part of the recall add on when acura dealers had the bulletin out??

Memphlow

In a nut shell yes. The AV6 is far more durable than the grenades the come stock in our cars. Many, including myself, have installed them and having positive results!

gvillecat

Add me to the list of successful TL-S & Accord V6 tranny swaps.
2002 TL Type S
I picked up a 2006 accord tranny with 89,000 miles - grade A - no core charge (no tax) for $600 + $20 for pallet & banding.

A local mechanic swapped the two trannies for $537 (total w/ tax). I showed him the diagrams and instructions that I got off this website ... no problems.
Thanks again to those that post such awesome info.

The only thing the mechanic did not do right (he forgot that I told him that I had a case of Honda ATF in my trunk). So he went with some Napa recommended tranny fluid. When I got home, I did a 3 x 2 with the Honda ATF and will do another 3 x 1 tomorrow after work. He didn't charge me for the transmission fluid and offered to put it for me, but I told him that I would take care of it.

Bottom Line = my car runs great ... my tranny hasn't felt so responsive in a long time.
Smooth shifting. Very pleased.

In total with all cost: tranny/ shipping/ parts / labor = $1,400
A little nicer on the pocket book than the $3,000+ recommended rebuilt tranny at the transmission shop.
And I would like to think that I have installed a tranny that will last for a long time.

Thanks again....

I do have something to offer that the mechanic was telling me about.
How to make your headlamp covers look like new.

Take 800 to 1000 grit sandpaper and wet sand the heck out of your headlamp cover... it will turn frosted white... won't be able to see through it. then you tape off your headlamp cover an spray it with "clear" enamel spray paint. Just lay down a light coat... let it dry ...spray it down 3 or 4 more times. No more sanding required, as the enamel dries, your lamp cover comes back to life. I'm going to try it and will let you know how it turns out.

3.2CLSx2

What do I do about my six speed trans I have a 03 cl type s six speed ans when I start car and let it idle I hear a clunking noise like rod bearings but when I press down on clutch it goes away completely, as soon as I let go I hear the noise, at idle and while driving in gears

3.2CLSx2

Anyone know where I can find the av6 for my auto cls...im in new york bronx near gun hill

3.2CLSx2

Any info for me guys

3.2TLc

"AV6" trannys from '06-'07 Honda Accord V-6 models can be sourced from most any auto recycler within your area......or try online sites for availability.

There's gotta be tons of them out there that have been wrecked.....just gotta look !!! good luck

deadbirdjb

2006 odyssey EX-L/Touring
1 2.563
2 1.552
3 1.012
4 0.767
5 0.595
Final 4.428

Will the small difference in gear ratios cause it to throw any codes. I have a TL 2003 S type and am picking up a tranny today. $348- 88,000 miles. I want to do a how to swap and before I do I need this question answered. Will the computer think my transmission is "slipping" when it calculates the different gear ratios or am I overthinking this?

03blackbeast

You're overthinking it. I will tell you that you may have a few weird shifts at first while the computer learns the ratio and automatically adjusts. I've had the AV6 for about 3K now and it's been fine. No codes, better gas mileage, and more power when downshifting to move on the highway. You'll love it.

3.2TLc

Just do it.....get the AV6 and move on !!!

Sapiophile75

Great info.

Sapiophile75

Great info. Just dropped a '06 AV6 Accord tranny in a '02 TL base and it went well. Shifts better, doesn't hard down/up shift on 2-3 gears. Only one thing, the power steering is way to stiff. I'm throwing it up on a rack to see if the mechanic did the PW modification correctly. Other than that, what a great work around for these transmission nightmares. Thanks to everyone who shared all this valuable information.

3.2TLc

Thanks Sapiophile75 for taking the time to follow up with your TL's "AV6" tranny replacement.

Another satisfied testimonial on the "AV6" is always good to hear. Keep us updated !!!

Brandle34

Having some trouble finding the cooler filter on Autozone and Advance Auto. Found the internal filter (#TF557 on Autozone) and rear main seal (#BS40685).
Since I'm on here shopping around - am I going to need any gaskets for the swap? Also, my mechanic said I would need a pan as well, this transfers from the TL trans correct?