Been hijacking another engine swap thread for a bit and thought I start my own so here I am.
Disclaimer: I’m not a mechanic, just a dude who likes to work on cars. Learn as I go kind of DIYer. So please take everything I say or suggest with a grain of salt. Please do your own research before attempting an engine swap. I’m not responsible for damages done to your vehicle.
Engine: J37A1
Donor: 2008 Acura MDX with about 200K kilometers.
Recipient: 2007 Honda Ridgeline with 340K km
Reason for swap: Noob mistake forgot to tighten camshaft bolt after changing seal.
Timing belt jumped and valves kissed the pistons.
The J37A1 is very identical to the J35. Almost everything fits like factory aside from some minor mods.
The J37A1:
![415792]( "415792")
![415794]( "415794")
Im gonna get right into it. Like I mentioned earlier, the J37A1 is identical to the J35. It will perfectly mate with the RL transmission without any mods. You just have to use the J35 flywheel. engine mount positions, valve covers, pulleys etc...everything fits like a glove.
![415795]( "415795")
Even though the MDX manifold is lite and made out of magnesium, I opted for the RL manifold simply because of the ease of direct swap and not have to drill holes for additional sensors or worry about intake fitment issues/clearance. Also, unlike the 2010+ MDXs with larger IM/T-body opening, the J37A1s from early MDX has the same throttle body diameter as the Ridgelines J35.
![415796]( "415796")
The thermostat housing of the RL has an sensor.
![415797]( "415797")
The VTEC solenoid oil sensor also needs to be swapped out from the J37 as it is different from the J35.
![415798]( "415798")
While I had the engine out I replaced all the seals with OE Honda. This includes the rear main, crank seal, oil pump O rings, camshaft seals and rings, and valve cover gaskets. I also resealed the oil pan and pump with Hondabond.
Replaced the timing components with Aisin timing belt water pump kit:
![415799]( "415799")
![415800]( "415800")
Again the flywheel of the J37 WILL NOT bolt into the torque converter of the Ridgeline transmission. You have to reuse the flywheel from the RL.
Lastly, the fuel injector harness from the Ridgeline WILL NOT fit the J37 injectors. You will have to de-pin and swap them out. There are YouTube videos that show you how to de-pin generic Honda injector harnesses.
Aside from the above mentioned, everything else is pretty much cut and paste from the J35 to the J37.
Here is the J37 engine ready to be dropped into the RL.
![415801]( "415801")
I forgot to mention that the manifold stud is shorter on the J37 and so I had to replace them with the ones from the J35.
I’ll admit...the engine needs a deep cleaning. This was a one man side project without an indoor garage...I just want to get it finished and running before harsh weather hit. Not looking for any other performance mods at this time. Hopefully this thing will last me another 150k km or so.
Thanks to all the forum lurkers and gurus that offered support and advice. Please feel free to post any questions or comments.
Disclaimer: I’m not a mechanic, just a dude who likes to work on cars. Learn as I go kind of DIYer. So please take everything I say or suggest with a grain of salt. Please do your own research before attempting an engine swap. I’m not responsible for damages done to your vehicle.
Engine: J37A1
Donor: 2008 Acura MDX with about 200K kilometers.
Recipient: 2007 Honda Ridgeline with 340K km
Reason for swap: Noob mistake forgot to tighten camshaft bolt after changing seal.
Timing belt jumped and valves kissed the pistons.The J37A1 is very identical to the J35. Almost everything fits like factory aside from some minor mods.
The J37A1:
Im gonna get right into it. Like I mentioned earlier, the J37A1 is identical to the J35. It will perfectly mate with the RL transmission without any mods. You just have to use the J35 flywheel. engine mount positions, valve covers, pulleys etc...everything fits like a glove.
Even though the MDX manifold is lite and made out of magnesium, I opted for the RL manifold simply because of the ease of direct swap and not have to drill holes for additional sensors or worry about intake fitment issues/clearance. Also, unlike the 2010+ MDXs with larger IM/T-body opening, the J37A1s from early MDX has the same throttle body diameter as the Ridgelines J35.
The thermostat housing of the RL has an sensor.
The VTEC solenoid oil sensor also needs to be swapped out from the J37 as it is different from the J35.
While I had the engine out I replaced all the seals with OE Honda. This includes the rear main, crank seal, oil pump O rings, camshaft seals and rings, and valve cover gaskets. I also resealed the oil pan and pump with Hondabond.
Replaced the timing components with Aisin timing belt water pump kit:
Again the flywheel of the J37 WILL NOT bolt into the torque converter of the Ridgeline transmission. You have to reuse the flywheel from the RL.
Lastly, the fuel injector harness from the Ridgeline WILL NOT fit the J37 injectors. You will have to de-pin and swap them out. There are YouTube videos that show you how to de-pin generic Honda injector harnesses.
Aside from the above mentioned, everything else is pretty much cut and paste from the J35 to the J37.
Here is the J37 engine ready to be dropped into the RL.
I forgot to mention that the manifold stud is shorter on the J37 and so I had to replace them with the ones from the J35.
I’ll admit...the engine needs a deep cleaning. This was a one man side project without an indoor garage...I just want to get it finished and running before harsh weather hit. Not looking for any other performance mods at this time. Hopefully this thing will last me another 150k km or so.
Thanks to all the forum lurkers and gurus that offered support and advice. Please feel free to post any questions or comments.
