So I bought a 2004 TL recently, got a good deal because the transmission was slipping. I plan on swapping in an 07 accord tranny, bought it today, now I just have to wait a few days for it to get here.

I will post updates on how everything goes and what needs to be done in order to get the accord tranny to work. If you guys have any questions/comments, post em in here. I will also post some pics along the way.

Got to have my front bumper repainted due to some cracked/scratched paint, so I just thought I'd take the whole front end off lol



Old tranny is out. Now waiting for new one.





The tool that made it all possible - The Ingersoll Rand w7150. No annoying air lines or noise compressors. A must have in my opinion.



If you guys have any tips/advice post that in here too. I will update when the transmission arrives (just bought it today so hopefully within the week I'll have it)...

 

you didn't want an 07/08 TL transmission?

 

^ will not work (well some o7 might if they are early VIN production run)

 

i never knew that.. is that common knowledge around here? I guess I could google it. haha

 

I did want an 07-08, even found one for steal of a price, but thanks to YeeUmMaiMai, I found out that its easier to use the accord tranny.

 

Is the Accord trans a pretty straightforward swap? And what do you think will be the biggest advantage in going with the Accord tranny?

Thanks
Steve

 

I don't have the accord tranny yet but when I do, I'll put them side by side and compare and take pics. From my research and talking with other more knowledgeable members here, yes it should bolt right up and the only things needed to change are some sensors. I will check to see which sensors don't match and swap them from my old one.

The biggest advantage I'm hoping for is that the accord tranny will be less prone to failure. From what I've read for some reason the accord tranny's don't experience nearly as many problems as our G3's. Another advantage is also price, I bought the accord tranny for $790 shipping included, whereas the cheapest TL ones were 1200+, with many more miles...

 

well I am interested in seeing how this turns out. But I hope I never have to do this. By the way, while you are in there, it might be beneficial to replace the front sway bar if you plan on doing any suspension work. They say you can't get it out without loosening the sub-frame at letting it drop or something..

 

I noticed when taking the old transmission off, the torque converter was full of oil, even after completely draining the tranny fluid. When installing the new transmission, should I prefill the new torque converter??

 

Yes prefill. Google this....acura tl torque converter replacement prefill

See the honda tech website.




.

 

how many miles are on your car? replace the rear main seal while the trans is out?

 

Thanks a lot, will do.

105k, yep just picked up real main seal a few days ago, main seal on the transmission, the 2 axle seals and the shift fork seal will all be replaced on the transmission too. Might as well get em done now since I have the engine all apart...

 

Transmission just arrived. From what I can see the accord one looks identical to my 04 TL one, looked over it briefly tonight and took some pics for you guys. Will check it in detail tomorrow.

New Accord tranny



Old TL Tranny (torque converter removed)



New Accord Tranny



Old TL tranny



The one plug I noticed is different. Think this is the Range Sensor others have been talking about needing to be swapped over from the old one.

Accord plug



TL Plug

 

awesome swap man!
its very impressive when DIY on a big job like this!

this motivates me to finish my engine swap.

 

I decided to pull the trigger and do it after finally figuring out that my problem was internal. Found one local for $950, ran the VIN and confirmed what the salvage yard told me: 07 Accord, 67,000 miles. Was going to rebuild mine, but this should be a better upgrade from what I've seen. Thanks for the pics

 

I think this is that Gray connector.. But hard to see your pins on that pic. But there is only 1 gray connector.. I think.. Anyway, save these. I wont keep them up forever. I have this Helm Book for sale for $50. (original is $120)

For TL, below.



C152... You can see the shock tower brace for reference.



Other various connectors



https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j...816_111151.jpg

 

Nice, been following your j37 head swap thread. Good stuff.

Damn, you got that for a STEAL! I don't know what is up with California, but in my area a low mile tranny like that would come out easily 1200+ and they wanted the core. Good luck with it man

Thanks a lot for the pics. Yep, seems like that is the range sensor harness that I will swap over from my old TL tranny.

 

make sure you swap the water to oil cooler (buy a new one)
and the small wire harness on the old trans over to the new one
you got the PRNDL switch covered

 

Why do I need to swap the water to oil cooler? (its the round thing on top of the transmission with the 2 coolant hose hookups right? - Both the accord and TL one look the same so I was going to leave the Accord one...

-I swapped the range switch harness

-What do I need to do with the PRNDL switch?

 

Just a quick update,

for those wondering I still have not put the accord tranny in. When I was about to change out the rear main seal, I noticed an oil leak from the rear crankshaft cover, the liquid gasket seems to have failed in one or tow spots, nothing major but decided to pull the cover and reseal it. Of course there is an o ring on the inside of the cover which I did not have, neither did my local dealer, so now I'm stuck here waiting on a 2 dollar part, holding everything up.

Also changing out the filter in the transmission, will post pics when I get a chance...

 

just install it on the trans. the reason you install a new TL oil to water cooler is the one on the trans may fail and you don't want that. it is a cheap part and I would just get a new one.

 

Finally had time to work on it again today. Put the new accord transmission in. It is a direct fit, had no issues getting it in. Other than that I don't have much else to report. Tomorrow the suspension and other misc. pieces go on and I'll fill it up with oil and report back. Should have it ready to test drive tomorrow night, if not definitely on Sunday.

 

Looking good! Got mine in, and yes, they did charge me a core ($100).

I went ahead and replace the pressure switches, and did a fluid change (switched to a full synthetic).

I'm still thinking it needs a more conventional trans cooler. I might add one to the return line.

Keep updating!!

 

Are you using 100% synthetic? As is not blending? If so, what kind?

 

Finally got it running tonight, took it for a test drive and everything went good. Drove around 10-15 miles, shifting is smooth, I replaced the pressure switches to0, and as for oil I just used the honda DW1 ATF. You can see in the pics below, no check engine lights or anything. Also the sport shift mode works. Only thing that was different from the TL tranny was the Range Switch harness, which I swapped over, not an issue at all. Hope this tranny will last more than the TL ones, kinda worried since it has 108k, but whatever...






Edit: Many thanks to all the members here that helped me out and answered my questions. Thanks again guys!

 

Does it matter what model Accord? V6 I assume. Does it have to be 07?

 

good job. keep us updated

 

06-07 accord v6 will work (2dr or 4dr doesn't matter). Also can't be a hybrid tranny, that won't work.

 

Any difference in performance, or does it feel basically the same if not better?

 

fucking awesome OP!!!!!!!!

 

Can't really tell as my TL one was slipping (thats how I bought the car, the reason for the steal of the price that I got it for), and I've really been babying the crap out of it so far. Shifts smooth so far...

 

This is an awesome swap! I think my TL may need a new trans someday. So far so good, though, at 168k miles. Has the whine, but it's been there since I bought it.

 

Awesome, good to know. This 07 trans I just put in has the whine and the old one I pulled out did too. After reading countless other members having it too, I can't help but think it's benign/somewhat normal

 

correct. Mine has a whine too. But it only does it from a stop and if I get on it..

 

for some reason the 04-06 TL AT and also the 03-07 accord v6 AT has a whine when accelerating. I've noticed it on friends' accords and TL's. the 07+ TL is when they stopped making it whine.

 

What is different about the 07 engine that prohibits its the 07 tranny from bolting on to an 05?

 

my whine turned out to be driver side wheel bearing, replaced it and whine is gone...

 

nicely done. good job

 

this is very valuable info. Thank you for your efforts and for sharing.

keep us posted

 

see i just bought a 08 TL tranny for my 04 and i was told the difference is a plug to the ECU needs to be cut and splined to work.... it almost sounds the same thing you had to do with your Accord tranny... am i right about mine? thats all i would have to do for it to work? i wish i saw this thread loooong time ago.... your post is very great and making me want one just cause I'm worried about finding someone that can hook my 08 TL tranny up to my 04.