college prof

My Automatic Transmission just blew on my 02 accord. I hit 79k and a road trip and the tranny did not make it. I would like to swap the stock AT for a Manual Transmission. The only two parts that have not been replaced and upgraded are the transmission and rack and pinion. I am doing both together. I have noticed that KBB has a manual transmission option for the 02 accord EX V6 VTEC 4dr/leather but I am not finding any parts. I have a Honda Performance mechanic who is going to work on my transmission and I am either going to have to have the AT custom built or swap it. I am not willing to put the same faulty transmission back into it ,especially since the dealer told me that Honda has not re-engineered the transmission that has a history of failing post 75k miles.

Can anyone point me to a transmission that will swap into this? I know I will need to update the ECU also, where can I get the software. Is this something Honda has? The dealer seems to only know what was stock and have very little clue about any modifications that are possible. My mechanic can work magic, but I also want to stay California emissions compliant...no engine lights, everything working properly. I am fairly proficient with auto mechanic work as well since worked in my father's auto shop for over ten years.

if the manual swap is not feasible I will have a custom AT built in the housing and have the whole thing cryo frozen, but I am trying to avoid this because I want the control over the vehicle that can be achieved acehieved with a manual transmission.

I am building this car into a custom vehicle with the goal of taking it to shows, and rally-track. Before you say I am using the wrong Chassis, I will say that is the point. I noticed that someone else got flamed for driving their accord over 135mph...yes, I have the appropriate suspension, braking, seats, harnesses, roll cage, traction control, naturally aspirated intake and exhaust, heat management, etc. I am not a kid trying to race daddy's car. I have built and raced american cars for decades, this is my first import rally car and I wanted the challenge of building a car that few people build, I like the body lines and the feel of the car on the road. I prefer a heavier car with more power since I began racing old Fords and Chevys. Other than the tranny this is an awesome vehicle that is comfortable and fun. So please help me figure this out.

NZXTInerTia

Well you will most likely need a new ECU, unless your stock ECU is capable of having an aftermarket rom uploaded to it. Anything can be done, just with a lot of know how. Although I can't exactly see you rallying a FWD accord.

college prof

I know i can get an ECU adapter for an engine swap, I might have to go that route and swap it out just for a manual tranny. on the other hand, it might just be better to custom build the automatic tranny. I am already having a custom 95mm throttle body made that will maintain the vacuum lines to prevent the trouble code that I had when I put on the race TB. Having made put about 8k into the existing powertrain, an engine swap seems like starting over. Wasting a few months of work. If I don't rally it, it will at least get in some track time. With it being naturally aspirated I think my max WHP is going to be too low to get it down to the 8-9 range for the 1/4. I had it scheduled for the dyno after my trip, that is moot for now with the tranny in its current condition, not to mention the fire hazard from having an engine compartment sprayed with fluid. I rented a trailer to get it home even though it still runs quite fast...for who knows how many more miles.

Thanks for your input.

NZXTInerTia

So almost a 10cm throttle body? I call bullshit, not that many parts are even made for the Accord V6s.

hondamark35

to my knowledge there wasn't a V6 manual available until the model/body-style change in '03. KBB options errors aren't uncommon.

it's likely that the '03 MT gearbox could be used since the motor changed very little between the two. axles, mounting and shifter install may not be direct carryovers. however, from your descriptions you and your performance specialist should be able to sort those things out easily enough.

if you do have success, please share your findings.

Teamdigby

So would love to know the update - if you decided to change to a manual transmission or not and regardless of which transmission you chose, are you happy with your new transmission's results?

We have a 1997 Honda Accord with tiptronic transmission - would much preferred to have bought a manual, but there didn't seem to be anything much available (in our price range) in NZ at the time we were buying. Now at 180,000km the transmission's started slipping, so I'm going to be asking our mechanic if switching to manual transmission's 1) possible and 2) the more reliable option for us.

I know, either way it's going to be costly

theaccordlord

if he puts a CRV trans into it it could then be a RWD accord

DeadlockRiff

Rally and track? or Just rally?

If you're doing both I would suggest 2 sets of coilovers or another set of springs to swap out with. As you probably already know doing this before, rally setups are not nearly as heavy on springs as track racing/autoX but instead have ridiculous dampers. What are you current spring rates/damper valvings?

TheMuffinMan

iTrader: (1)

No, then it would be an AWD Accord and there is far more work than what you're making it out to be.

1) You're looking at a J-series motor to a B-series transmission. I haven't seen a single adapter for those.

2) Driveshaft

3) Differential

4) Axles

etc

You are far over-simplifying the process. This isn't some herp-derp install a transmission and instant-AWD/RWD/etc

TheMuffinMan

iTrader: (1)

You're correct. '98 - '02 did not have a manual transmission offered in the V6 platform. The best bet would be a 2003 CL-S 6 speed transmission, I have seen a few Accords with this swap. Personally, I'd just START with that platform since there's no additional tweaking required.

Lost Again

Or have the auto rebuilt with the proper upgrades? Yes, I would not try to push more power thru it but in stock config and the proper upgrades during the auto rebuild, you should be fine.

Mr. Mike has all kinds of good things in his posts when it comes to auto trans, just have to pay attention every now and then. Try reading this, again posted by Mr. Mike before.

http://www.sonnax.com/system/pdfs/35...pdf?1320330979

college prof

You are very observant. My mistake, I have the edelbrock 75MM throttle body,(http://www.andysautosport.com/honda/...ody/edelbrock/) originally made for the Mustang 5.0 but fits with a spacer. I have just learned from my fabricator that he is having problems mating the electronics units to the after-martket throttle body but I spoke to the engineer at my local race shop and they are racing the exact same engine as mine in a civic, they got a larger throttle body off a van (with the manifold), that is my next step. There are a lot of performance parts for this vehicle, you just have to think outside make/model and look at engine/years. It also helps to be willing and able to do some modification/fabrication. Most of my parts are made for the 03-05/07? Acura TL and CL.

college prof

HondaMark35 and TeamDigby were interested in what I learned and I am doing. For you: The shifter and clutch pedal are coming from an 02 accord 4cyl. It had a six speed transmission. The transmission is coming from an Acura TL, the shop I am using already has the exact same configuration on a civic track car that has the same engine as mine swapped into it (they are ordering a backup for theirs at the same time). Apparently the range for manual transmissions is the 03 CL, mentioned by themuffinman, and the 04-057 (maybe up to 07) Acura TL. Mounting the shift solenoids to the wiring harness is supposed to prevent the engine light for the transmission. Using custom steel braided lines. I will most likely never enter this car into a rally race, but it is certainly a fun drive. Interestingly, I have already seen an increase in mileage from 16mpg to 24 mpg...so long as I drive like I don't drive for the purpose of driving alone. I do not know what the manual is going to do for my MPG, but I know it will increase my WHP. I will post Dyno results after the shop completes the swap and the Dyno-tuning. We are also doing a cryo on the transmission and the spark plugs (they cost less to cryo than the plugs did). Altogether I am looking at about a $3500 swap (w/o cryo). Dealer wanted $4700 to put in a new stock transmission with the same 75k failure problem.

Rebuilding the stock transmission with race internals was going to require sending to Cali with an unspecified time-frame for completion and unspecified cost. Nonetheless, I have decided to take this car and put the extra money into it for show rather than race. Now I am looking at bodykit/paint/different wheels, and custom interior to match the seats and rollcage up with the rest of the interior. I am going to start again with a new project for racing. This has just been too much fun. That said, I am still considering a turbo...which will eliminate the MPG gains that I have enjoyed. But that will come after I rebuild/reinforce the engine and have it cryo'd.

The point is that I am building this platform because I was told it is not possible. If I wanted a build that was easy, I would have started with a Civic since the parts are abundantly available. I do not build for results, I build for the challenge and I want a unique car that you wont see in every car show or on every track. So it costs a little more, and takes a little work, the unique outcome is worth it. I am a car enthusiast, and I am not snobbish about it. I once saw a customer of my father's put 25k into an old beat up Falcon. The car, in the 80's, was only worth a couple thousand. He didn't do it for racing, or for show, he did it because he loved the way the car looked and wanted it to go fast while looking good. I can respect that. I have already put enough money into this vehicle to have bought multiple other platforms, I want to be able to say that I did something that few, if any, other people did and that I have a one-of-a-kind car.

And no, I am not converting it to AWD, that would introduce way too many components to fail. I not only want my car fast and looking good, I want it to be very reliable, and everything I do is thought out very carefully to make sure it will be both reliable, and allow the car to be driven in California (hence the failed attempt at modifying the 75mm throttle body, that I mistakenly called a 95MM in my original post)...since I live a couple hours from there I might have potential buyers there when I sell it.

TheMuffinMan

iTrader: (1)

Not sure where you got/heard that - the F23 (4cyl) is a 5 speed manual with 4 speed auto.

It also is possible and has been done, by quite a few people. For example, there's already a plug and play setup:

http://www.v6performance.net/forums/...ness-info.html

http://www.v6performance.net/forums/...o-harness.html

WHEEELMAN

Correct years for the Acura 6 speed that are complatible with J30A1, J32A2 and J35A3/A4:
04-06 Acura TL-s -----> Bolt pattern changed in 07

You will need a harness from RichieV6 in order to run the 6-speed in conjuction with the Automatic ECU for the J30A1.



Wouldn't waste my time on that 4 speed tranny or that J30A1, both are a $hit platform. Better option is to do a complete drivetrain swap.

chrisnick

There's so much misinformation in here, it's crazy; I'm not really surprised. It's far from inexpensive, or plug-n-play as easy as Richie makes it sound. There's only a handful of AV6 owners who have pulled this off, probably less than 20 in total. Unless you have $5K and a couple weeks to be without a car, don't do it. Drop another stock auto into it, sell it, and pick up a used '03 CL-S, 03+ Accord V6 6-speed, 04+ TL, etc. It's nearly easier to buy a Civic and J-swap it than 6-speed swap a 6th gen V6. That's just the reality of it because Accords are not a very well supported platform. If you have the skill and ability, by all means, go for it. If you really want a performance boost with a more reliable transmission, swap in a J32A2/J35 and a later 5-speed Automatic from the 03+ Accords, TL's, etc.

I know, I used to own a '98 EX V6 Coupe. It was a great car, but the drivetrain was ****. My favorite Honda design of all. My dad bought it new, got passed on to me in 2002, and it went through 3 transmissions within 2 years. Granted, I wasn't easy on the car, but I wasn't the only one running into the VERY well documented issue with these cars. Given a second chance, I'd take another one, prompty rip the engine/trans out and light it on fire.

www.v6performance.net or www.6thgenaccord.com would have VASTLY more information.