[dopes6070]

Thanks for the additional info!

To be clear . . .All the wiring harnesses are Ridgeline?

Yes all of the ridgeline wiring is intact. The only thing disturbed were the fuel injector clips which you pop the little center piece out with a small flat head then you can lift the tiny tabs and slide the pins right out and into the TL connectors. The process takes less than 10 minutes.

 

[speedlever]

This certainly sounds like the preferred performance boost for the 2009 and newer RLs. But it still ain't cheap!

Kinda makes me envious that I don't have a 2009+ and sad that you aren't my neighbor.

 

[dopes6070]

Actually I scored the engine for $1000 so really I have spent what a nice set of wheels and tires would cost total... For me its worthwhile as I always felt, even the day I bought it, that it needed the 3.7. Driving my buddies MDX back to back with the RL was just disappointing knowing they are cousins. FYI MDX engines are a lot more plentiful so thats a good option too. I'm just pickey and wanted the exhaust VTEC and more aggressive cams. Im fairly certain the same engine would go into an 06 as well. Tuning is really the only issue for now.

 

[coolbob]

Awesome work, the attention to detail is really going to pay off in the long run. Please keep the updates, photos (or better yet, videos) coming!

 

[henni]

· 5w30 M1 High Mileage Engine Oil (will not use 20wt oil, too many cases of engine damage, cam wear etc…)

· Remote spin-on ATF Filter

Yup. We too use 0W30 or 5W30 in all our RL's, of course all our engines have less than 10k driven by the time we sell them. Same goes for our 2013-2016 CRV and Accord models. We pay typically 1.50 or at most 2.00 / qt for synthetic M1 AFE, on sale every December at Autozone and we stock up to 50 gallons or more.

As to the ATF filter, any pictures ?

 

[dopes6070]

Yup. We too use 0W30 or 5W30 in all our RL's, of course all our engines have less than 10k driven by the time we sell them. Same goes for our 2013-2016 CRV and Accord models. We pay typically 1.50 or at most 2.00 / qt for synthetic M1 AFE, on sale every December at Autozone and we stock up to 50 gallons or more.

As to the ATF filter, any pictures ?

I need to start stocking up on oil too. It's expensive even at the $26 a gallon Walmart price. I'll have to wait for those sales at AutoZone.

The filter was installed when the truck had 800 miles on it. I have replaced it a few times and and am due very soon so I'll snap a pic. it's mounted up under the front bumper. All I have to do is take a couple fastners out of the fender liner on the driver side to swap the filter out

Awesome work, the attention to detail is really going to pay off in the long run. Please keep the updates, photos (or better yet, videos) coming!

There will be at least one video thrown on YouTube once I'm done tuning. I just want to make sure the engine is right before I really thrash it. >

 

[cdepuydt]

I have about 42k miles on the truck and it runs flawlessly. I need power like dudes need chicks with big racks hahaha

I've modded every car I've ever had. When I'm done with the truck, it will drive just like new, but with more power. In the past I've had boosted cars, different engine swaps and have built plenty of Transmissions. I love Hondas and I will push the envelope with the Ridgeline at least in naturally aspirated form.

Very cool project. I wish I had the knowledge to take on a project like this. I can do brakes, struts, plugs, and that kinda thing...but this is a little outta my league.

So, whatta ya gonna do with the "old" motor with 42k miles on it? You can take the engine out of my '06, that has almost 190k on it, and install your old engine in it if you want another project. Heck, I'd even help and supply all the beer...! :act024:

 

[dopes6070]

Its actually pretty easy! Just having the tools available and the time is the big thing. They really aren't much different than working on a Civic... you just have to do a lot of things twice since the engine is a V6. Well that and everything is much heavier!

I took 2 days off work to finish thee swap since I've been limited on time.

 

[eurban]

Does your TL motor give anything up on the lower end with the more aggressive cam profiles? I would assume the the exhaust VTEC is win win (except perhaps or added complexity) but how does the TL 3.7 compare to the MDX one down low?

 

[dopes6070]

The TL 3.7 has similar low end to the MDX once the intake mani spacer is installed. The low end is fantastic! I think the TL engine gives up less since it has the separate high and low profiles for the exhaust. They feel very similar but the TL does seem a little more free breathing at high RPM.

 

[tacky1]

I wonder if the cams would drop into an 08.

 

[dopes6070]

I wonder if the cams would drop into an 08.

For 06-08 ridgelines the best cams would probably be 05-08 Acura RL cams. I'm sure the 4g TL cams will not fit those heads.

 

[oarnold]

Congratulations on the swap and thanks for sharing.

 

[dopes6070]

Congratulations on the swap and thanks for sharing.

Thank you I am glad to add something of interest to the 1g RL forum! I have been on here reading a ton since I bought the truck and wanted to have a good reason to post. I figured this was it!

I just received another revision to the tune and it is really coming alive. I did a few 0-60 runs and mind you, I always have a full size spare plus a couple hundred pounds of tools and other stuff in the truck. Stock was right at 9 seconds and now my best run was 7.5 with the average being 7.7 seconds. I am VERY happy with the swap.

 

[jeb]

Thank you I am glad to add something of interest to the 1g RL forum! I have been on here reading a ton since I bought the truck and wanted to have a good reason to post. I figured this was it!

I just received another revision to the tune and it is really coming alive. I did a few 0-60 runs and mind you, I always have a full size spare plus a couple hundred pounds of tools and other stuff in the truck. Stock was right at 9 seconds and now my best run was 7.5 with the average being 7.7 seconds. I am VERY happy with the swap.

Man I'm so glad you did this. I remember reading a thread a long time ago on here and i think Csimo saying Honda or someone did produce a 3.7 Ridgeline and saying it sucked, or if I remember the wording correctly "it was a dog". I always thought how?? I've driven the 3.7 MDXs and TLs and they've been bomb, and they're not that far off from the weight of the Ridgeline. Anyways I didnt buy that them and I definitely don't now.

You rock man. Keep it up. How about a 0-60 video? Startup vid? Let's hear that bad boy.

 

[dopes6070]

I read and thought the same thing! My buddies 2008 MDX and my mothers 2012 TL SHAWD are awesome. I always just felt like that comment was crazy. I mean I understand that the rest of the power train will wear faster but I am more than willing to take risk. Either they didnt want the liability regarding reliability or they didn't know what they were doing haha. I am extremely happy with the setup.

I'm out on business now and return on Sunday. Ill try to get a couple vids for you guys.

 

[bigdogrod]

pretty much the best mod ever.

somebody at honda had better damn well be reading this, this is pretty much the ONLY thing that should have been done between gen 1 and gen 2...

 

[dopes6070]

The 3.7 plus 6AT IMO is the perfect powerplant. If I could figure out how to get the stock ecm to control the 6AT that would be my next mod.

The DI 3.5 has a lot of torque and produces close numbers to the 3.7. It will be interesting when we see actual 0-60 times for the new Ridge.

 

[jeb]

I read and thought the same thing! My buddies 2008 MDX and my mothers 2012 TL SHAWD are awesome. I always just felt like that comment was crazy. I mean I understand that the rest of the power train will wear faster but I am more than willing to take risk. Either they didnt want the liability regarding reliability or they didn't know what they were doing haha. I am extremely happy with the setup.

I'm out on business now and return on Sunday. Ill try to get a couple vids for you guys.

Yeah man. My friend has a 3.7 Mdx Elite and it would always take my Ridgeline. Not my Accord though, haha.

Like I said I'd love a few videos if you have the time. Thanks boss, you rock. It's great to see some interesting content on here.

 

[dopes6070]

https://youtu.be/r9Tmekou9SM

Here is a startup vid for you guys. I will have some driving clips tomorrow. Life has been chaotic getting home sorry for the lack of quality!