Hi guys, getting into my first experience with a Honda (other than brakes & oil changes). Last night I bought a 2001 Accord EX 3.0L V6 with a bad transmission. The previous owner hit a concrete curb and dumped the tranny fluid onto someone's parking lot.

Anyway, my first dumb question here: can this transmission be pulled without dropping the front end assembly? I'm thinking not but just wondering if it's even a possibility. I really have no experience with front wheel drive, all my limited mechanical experience is on Chevrolet trucks/350s.

#2 question is: I can get my hands on a transmission out of a 2000 Acura TL V6. Will it fit with my Accord's J30A1 engine?

Just got off work and my googling isn't answering these questions. I'm dog tired from work today and can't go any more. I need to hit the ground running in the morning so I'm hoping I can get some good advice so I can get this car on the road. Thanks in advance.

 

well Im not seeing your vehicle in manual as an option. 98-02 had some of hondas most horrible transmissions. I would suggest finding a replacement for the same model with low miles and selling the car or keeping it. It's not a real popular choice for aftermarket mods

 

Not the five speed. Maybe the four speed.

 

I was suggested that I have the crack in the current casing TIG welded and rebuild it myself.


Yea, it's an automatic transmission. I looked for a code stamped on it but couldn't find it. The transmission was still in the Acura and covered with grease/dirt. Maybe if I knew exactly where to look tho...

 

But is there anyway at all that the tranny comes out without the front end assembly coming down?

 

I'm not interested in going to a manual transmission. Mine is automatic and the one I'm looking at is automatic. Just trying to figure out if the TL is a direct swap.

 

not sure, it seems it would be a lot of work to use a tranny from another vehicle. It would be easier to find a direct replacement, my thought was get away from the crappy autos that came with thsoe cars but its not even an option. Good luck getting that tranny out, the v6 makes it much more difficult

 

the front sub-frame/cross member will need to come out. last time I did one on a V6 (7 years ago) I recall being able to pull the trans without pulling the motor. It's pretty tight though.

 

I found an exact replacement. I guy nearby had another B7XA in his shop, so now I have a replacement casing. I guess I'll be shopping for an overhaul kit now...


I was figuring that, I suppose I was hoping for an easier way.

 

Another question: I'm wondering if I can simply disconnect the passenger side axle at the same time that I pull the tranny off the engine (towards the driver's side). I don't see why not, seems like common sense maybe.

Any reason why I can't do that?

(just exploring options before I get into the job, I'll be going thru a bunch of literature & YouTube vids next week also...)

 

I swapped a j30a1 from an accord into an acura back in 2012. Look back in my posts...you can read some of the differences. And there are some slight, but utterly aggrivating differences. I eventually did get it swapped out...granted this was the engine, not the transmission.

 

typically if you're removing the engine and tranny it is easier to remove the axles first. This allows you to shimmy the engine around while undoing the mounts then with the (4 cyl) it allows you to angle the engine on the crane and lift everything up and out. I couldn't find any literature on mitchell to assist you sorry. That is your best friend, watch videos, keep your bolts organized and labeled in baggies. Hondas are simple you just need to figure out the system then itll be cake. It never hurts to check out a honda shop and ask them what they do to remove them. Also when you put the engine back in, you will need to have the axles out anyways.

 

 

The portion of the axle that fits into the trans may be longer than the room you have to shift the box before hitting something. Wouldn't be a bad idea to try though. You can just pop the lower ball joint loose on that side and, with the steering all the way out on that side you can get the inner joint clear of the trans. This is my typical method every time I pull a trans or full drivetrain.

 

Ok, thanks for the tip.

 

Ok, thanks. I'll look for them.


There's an import specialist nearby, I need to talk to him for some pointers. Thanks for checking.