J35A3 3.5L V6 engine
into CL Type-S (6-speed) (from MDX)

YD1 MDX 2001-2002
→
YA4 CL Type-S (6-speed) 2003

Yes: the J35A3 3.5L V6 engine from the MDX (2001-2002) fits the CL Type-S (6-speed) (2003) — difficult difficulty, modifications required.

Verdict
Fits.
Verified entry · modifications required
Verified ✓
Difficulty
Difficult
Mods
Required
Category
Engine

Installation notes

Yes — the J35A3 from a 2001-2002 Acura MDX (YD1) fits a 2003 Acura CL Type-S 6-speed (YA4) in place of its J32A2, provided the J32A2's cam/crank sensors, pulleys and related parts are moved over so it runs on the CL-S6 ECU. AcuraZine members report the CL-S6 manual transmission bolts to the J35A3 and the stock CL ECU can stay. Members recommend the J35A3 over the later J35A8, which has its headers cast into the head and whose block does not bolt to the CL-S6 transmission; the later gearboxes that do fit it lack the transmission-side crank sensor the CL-S6 ECU expects. The J35A3 is an older engine with slightly lower compression than the J32A2, so the gain is mainly displacement and torque.
ModsMods req.

Required modifications

Transfer from the CL's J32A2 to the J35A3 so it works with the 6-speed and CL-S6 ECU (per AcuraZine members): front-head cam plate, TDC cam sensor assembly and sub-harness, cam (timing belt) pulley, crank timing belt drive pulley, crank sensor and harness. Also recommended: CL-S6 throttle body, EGR valve, water passage/connecting pipe and MAP sensor. The J32A2 oil pump may need to go onto the J35A3 because the MDX pump lacks an upper bolt boss. Keep the CL-S6 engine harness, ECU and 6-speed (the flywheel-side crank sensor only appears on the 2003 CL-S6).

Caution

Important caveats

  • Forum advice says the CL-S6 ECU needs the flywheel-side crank sensor, which only appears on the 2003 CL Type-S 6-speed.
  • Forum members advise against the J35A8 (2005-2008 RL, 2007-2008 TL Type-S): it has cast-in headers, its block does not bolt to the CL-S6 transmission, and the later clutch cases that fit it lack the transmission-side crank sensor the CL-S6 ECU needs.
  • Forum members note the J35A3 has slightly lower compression and weaker intake valve springs than the J32A2.
  • This entry is based on owner forum threads, not a vendor kit; verify each transferred part against your specific engines.

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Reference

LEB-H5 specs → J32A3 specs → J32A2 specs → J32A1 specs → B18A1 specs → J35Z6 specs → J35Z2 specs → J35Y2 specs → J35Y1 specs → J35Z3 specs → EA specs → EC specs → ED specs → EE specs → EL specs → EM specs → EN specs → EP specs → ER specs → ES specs → J35A1 specs → J35A3 specs → J35A4 specs → J35A5 specs → J35A6 specs → J35A7 specs → J35A8 specs → J35A9 specs → J35S1 specs → J35Y4 specs → J35Y5 specs → J35Y6 specs → J35Y8 specs → J35Z1 specs → J35Z4 specs → J35Z5 specs → J35Z8 specs →

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Sources

4 refs
  1. 01 https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-cl-2001-2003-50/j35-swap-999779/
  2. 02 https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-cl-2001-2003-50/j35a3-swap-questions-979152/
  3. 03 https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-cl-2001-2003-50/j35a8-type-s-engine-cl-927256
  4. 04 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_J_engine
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