I am trying to help a friend with the installation of a J30A 3 liter 6 cylinder engine from a 1998 Accord in a sand rail. His intention is to eliminate the PCM and all sensors and fabricate an intake manifold for a carburetor.

The ignition module for this engine was originally controlled by the PCM. Is there a self contained distributor available that will fit this engine, perhaps from an older model? (similar to a GM HEI distributor) Is a conversion kit available for this distributor?

Michael

 

I'm pretty sure all J-series engines are COP, with no provision for a distributor. You would need something to drive a dizzy off of. The only thing I can think of realistically is something that works off the flywheel, unless he wants to get a custom camshaft made and modify the head. But at that point keeping the ECU and the original engine harness will be much easier and cheaper. He either needs to find a different powerplant or get over his idea of a carb.

 

Thanks for your input Tachi. This engine does indeed have one coil, a distributor and an ignition module that is triggered by the PCM.

 

Really? It has a distributor? I...ahhh, the 1st gen CL and early 6th gen Accords did use a distributor, my apologies. Mounted horizontally at the end of one of the camshafts? If that's the case then you should be able to have the internal-coil v6 distributor of your choice machined to key into the camshaft, and then it's just an adapter plate and some RTV to seal things up.

 

just to clarify, the engine being used has the originally equipped distributor but because the PCM will not be used a solution for controlling spark is needed?

I'm pretty sure MSD would have a suitable standalone ignition control module that could do the trick. maybe this one:




which carb?

 

Thanks for the MSD suggestion. There is nothing in the distributor to trigger it. I was hoping that someone manufactures a retrofit triggering assembly that can be installed in the stock distributor or maybe a replacement distributor with the assembly already in it.

It is looking like it will be necessary to go with the stock PCM, injection and ignition setup.