97 HX CVT are the S4VA and M4VA interchangeable?

[socal101z]

HX 185k miles, engine rpms fluctuate 1k in about 1 second cycle under light to mid acceleration, runs normal under maintenance throttle on level ground.

Did drain and refill with Honda CVT fluid=no change.

From rebuilders and used parts yards, I'm 50-50 on whether the transmissions will swap or not, so I need an experienced person's advice.

Or is it possible to swap the insides of an M4VA into my S4VA case if the trans cannot be swapped in whole?

Engine D16Y5, transmission S4VA 7006130 on bar code sticker.

Sorry to jump straight into questions as a newbie, TIA. Steve

Oh yea, I've searched for S4VA 'til I'm toast, it's like it doesn't exist.


Modified by socal101z at 7:43 PM 5/10/2008

[socal101z]

Bump

[civic_hx_cvt]

Hello everyone,
I'm not sure what "Bump" means but can anyone answer this question?
What is the difference with the S4VA and M4VA transmission?
I am considering buying a used CVT transmission imported from Japan. They list the model as M4VA but my tranny says S4VA on the tag.
Thanks!

[CivicHxDude]

Hi All...
I found this thread and I hate to start new Duplicate ones.. Does anyone have the answer to the question above? I am new to Honda cars and have done a ton of searching on this topic online and are unable to find any information. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!!!

[civic_hx_cvt]

Hey,
I ended up buying the used JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) CVT Automatic Transmission from eBay. I paid around $300 for it and about another $300 to have it installed at a local shop. I've put over 30K miles on the transmission and no issues so far. These JDM parts are reliable because they come off low miles cars in Japan.
One minor problem when having it installed was with the transmission mounts because two of them had a slightly different mounting bracket bolt pattern. I am adding links to some images at the bottom so you can see what I mean. On one of the top mounts, 2 of the 3 holes did not line up. Even though just 1 bolt felt strong enough to hold the transmission I went to local weld shop and had them modify the bracket to align the other 2 holes. And then the bottom transmission mount bracket has a hole for a bolt that does not exist on this transmission, but it’s not needed anyways.
Make sure whoever installs the transmission uses new genuine Honda HG CVT transmission fluid. Can’t remember how many quarts it took when it was installed.
I change the transmission fluid every 15K. I just open the drain plug on the bottom, close it when it’s done coming out and then refill with about 5 1/2 quarts. The CVT transmission fluid is expensive, about $11 each at my local Honda parts dept.














Good luck.

1999 HONDA Civic HX CVT
33 mpg combined city/highway
Engine D16Y5
1.7-liter Lean burn vtec
117hp / 111 torque
0-60 9.9sec
Spark plugs: NGK ZFR4F-11

[dgreen78]

Thanks for the follow up, I am also looking into getting a JAP spec CVT and this post helps me know what Im in for. FYI, if you need fluid their are places online you can order it from for $7 a quart. I bought a bunch to stock up on!

Question for you, how does the auto Hx do lean burn when it doesnt use a 5-wire wideband 02 sensor? Ive been trying to figure this out lately.

[Nitrous1024]

Originally Posted by dgreen78

it doesnt use a 5-wire wideband 02 sensor

I think you mean 4-wire (2 for the heater and 2 for the lambda readings)

[Nitrous1024]

Originally Posted by civic_hx_cvt

On one of the top mounts, 2 of the 3 holes did not line up

Did you end up buying the S4VA or the M4VA?
Did you have to change the ECU, wireloom or your axles?

I'm contemplating doing a M4VA installation in my 2001 EU1 Civic.

[Nitrous1024]

Please ignore the above post. I've decided to do a manual gearbox swap instead.