I have a 2001 Odyssey (140k miles) with a bad tranny. I also have a 2000 Odyssey (102k miles). Had just done timing belt, water pump and idlers on 2000 when The Wife swerved to miss something and ran off the road into a big rock. Set off the air bags, bent the passenger side front strut and broke the lower control arm. I replaced the strut and control arm (with junker parts). Car drives ok but I think the frame is bent by the control arm attachment point. On a hard right turn car dives.

I would like to take engine and tranny from 2000 and put it into 2001. The manual talks about taking engine out and tranny out but not as one piece. What do I need to do for the swap?
Are engine and tranny on a sub frame that I can take out as a unit or will I end up with the bent frame problem? I would assume the ECU should go with its engine/tranny to the other car. Will this cause other problems? (probably ignition key problems at least)

Anybody done this? Any advice appreciated. - Fred -

Member in good standing SFAEL (Soceity For the Abuse of the English Langauge)

 

I would drop it as a full assembly (engine, trans, cradle). Its fairly simple as ling as nothing is rusted up and you have a lift. Without a lift it will be much harder. Use the cradle from your good van (the one that has not been wrecked), and the engine/trans from the wrecked van. To prolong the life of your transmission, install a big *** cooler for the trans, aftermarket one, and completely bypass the radiator transmission cooler. OEM Honda Odyssey radiators clog up for some reason all of a sudden and they are responsible for 80% of bad trannies. Trust me on this one, mine lasted me to 170000 miles and I tow a 7000lbs trailer with it almoast daily! I had the trans rebuilt at 170000 and now the van is at 220000 without a single issue. Cooling is the key.