[eurban]

Dopes,

After the tune, what are you now averaging for MPG with the 3.7? I know you probably have a lead foot . . .

Thanks!

 

[dopes6070]

Dopes,

After the tune, what are you now averaging for MPG with the 3.7? I know you probably have a lead foot . . .

Thanks!

Me having a lead foot is an understatement haha! I have been getting about 15MPG while dealing with southern CA traffic.

 

[Carsmak]

That's about what I get in and around So Cal

 

[eurban]

I'm lucky to get 15 in my 06 driving around the DC metro area.

 

[AccordV6-6]

Gotta say, wow I'm impressed. I was lurking for a while and read the whole thread. Super cool what you've done and impressive! Can't wait to see what the supercharger does for you. Wouldn't be surprised if you could just swap out your rear diff and disable some sensors so it would run full time awd and just hook up all the time. You'll probably start putting some excess stress on everything with a supercharger. Especially if you go with 6-7psi. Gl with your project. Love these custom swaps. Honda should have went with the j37 with these originally. Also what did you do with your acura manifold cover. I wish I was around then I would've traded you lol. Want one for my Accord just to look different.

 

[juiceweazel]

Any updates? This looks promising!

 

[speedlever]

allmotormike? I'd like to request that you create your own thread about the J37 swap since you did it into a 2006 RL. I suspect your experience may be a bit different than Bob who swapped into a 2013 RL with a different ECU, etc.

 

[lgmendez]

Ok I have done some more research for you guys with the 06-08 trucks. The newer j37's (10-13 MDX, 09+ TL SH-AWD, ZDX) use a high resolution reluctor ring for the crank sensor. It is mounted to the oil pan near the back of the block. It is not compatible with the previous front mounted reluctor ring electronics.

With that said, all you need to do is inatall the older style oil pump assembly (even your stock one) to mount the correct ring and sensor.

Hello, I have an 06 and I've been wanting to do this swap ever since I bought my 07 MDX. My question is would there be any difference in using the J37A4 from the 09+ TL with VTEC on intake and exhaust cams vs the J37A1 from the MDX with only intake VTEC?
Would I still keep the stock Ridge ECU and it would work properly?

Thanks,

LG

 

[FauxTrk]

Hey bob, I couldn't find the picture of your intake manifold cover, but does it have the intake runner control/valve on it? Thinking of doing that and ditching the plastic cover on my 3.5, but that cover (with intake runner control attached) is over $300 from Honda. Just wondering if you went a different route or just coughed up the money for the clean look!

Also, awesome swap and build! Almost makes me want to keep an eye out for another ridge with a popped motor and have some fun! I don't have enough balls to do the swap on my daily yet!

 

[D1ced]

Actually, the swap is pretty straight forward. As Dopes6070 said. you need to de-pin the clips from the donor engine's fuel injector clips and use them on you're own harness. I also had to tap the intake manifold for the IAT sensor. And for the fuel adjustments, I added an Apexi S-AFC to get me by. Although it ran fine with out it, I wanted to make sure I was getting the most out of the engine. It's been going strong for a year now and don't know why Honda didn't put this engine in the gen 2s.

@allmotormike this is great to hear for those of us with 06-08's looking for replacement engines. Do you recall if there were any other modifications or part swap-overs needed that you might not have listed besides the fuel injector clips and IAT sensor? I assume you used all your existing Ridgeline wire harnesses as well? I think I'll seriously go on the hunt for a J37 (J37A1 or J37A4 if it'll work) at this point, thanks to ROC pioneers like yourself and Bob :smile:.

 

[dopes6070]

Hey bob, I couldn't find the picture of your intake manifold cover, but does it have the intake runner control/valve on it? Thinking of doing that and ditching the plastic cover on my 3.5, but that cover (with intake runner control attached) is over $300 from Honda. Just wondering if you went a different route or just coughed up the money for the clean look!

Also, awesome swap and build! Almost makes me want to keep an eye out for another ridge with a popped motor and have some fun! I don't have enough balls to do the swap on my daily yet!

I appreciate the kind words! The Honda branded intake mani cover that I used is off of an 8th gen Accord 6MT coupe. That engine does not have VCM and has the IM runner control. Unfortunately I did have to fork out the cash to keep it clean.

As for updates it's pretty limited right now as we just added a new Corgi/Lab puppy to our family and I'm still working on the never ending playhouse/playground for the little one. I have everything I need for the supercharger its just a matter of time to do the install.

 

[GreyRidgeRider]

Hey Dopes, been lurking around with this post but appreciating the work you've put into the mods and documentation. I live in Temecula and am looking at doing this in the next 1-3 years. Maybe we could meet up some time after the New Year. Cheers.:smile:

 

[dopes6070]

If you're ever in orange county I work in Foothill Ranch and live in Orange. Feel free to PM me and we should be able to figure out a time.

In other news I will be sending off a sample of my next 6000 mile OCI to blackstone labs to get a used oil analysis. I'm curious to see how the 3.7 is wearing and should know in the next few weeks. It does consume about 1qt over the course of an oil change. This is with lots of grade logic engine braking driving the 241 and Santiago canyon every day for those that are familiar.

 

[dopes6070]

Got my UOA from Blackstone. Looks good to me. Any second oppinions or UOAs from the stock engine to compare wear levels?

 

[stevem5215]

Looks to me like you could have left that oil in there for at least another 3,000mi based on numbers in the report.

Otherwise that motor is in good shape.

Steve

 

[Carsmak]

Dopes,

The Report looks good, but I'd be a little concerned using a qt over 6k miles, I barely add a 1/4 qt and I'm using 5w20, granted it's the 3.5 and not your 3.7 but that would be a bit concerning.

Otherwise looks good. I believe there is Oil Analysis thread on a 3.7 MDX, although your significantly different than the average motor on the ROC, it might be good to post it there, Not sure if that Member is still around, but maybe he just doesn't come around often. http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/46-other-cars-trucks-bikes/63186-first-oil-change-2013-mdx-blackstone-analysis.html. I might try to consolidate all the existing UOA's that I can find, Reports Only, with links to the original threads, and attempt to better represent UOA's.

I'd love to send the same sample to multiple labs, (I know of a few) just to compare results and "test the testers".

Carsmak

 

[DeuceRon]

Congrats on a remarkable milestone!

I may have missed it, however did you ever install the M90? I'm asking because I have one in my Roush Mustang and it's a little powerhouse of a blower. With a tune, an easy 200 crank HP's over stock.

Good luck!

 

[dopes6070]

Thanks for the link to that thread! I'm gonna have to read through it. Quite a few people have had short blocks replaced on the Acura forums for oil burning. 1qt per 1000mi is honda's spec for excessive consumption. Some 3.7l engines tend to burn oil. My mothers TL SH- AWD only burns about 1/8qt over an OCI. I guess its something with the rings and high silicon cylinders. I'm not worried about it as I will just keep it topped up. To me its worth the power. Acura's latest TSB sights gummed up rings as a common issue. Also these engines have a lot higher vacuum under engine braking which will tend to pull some oil past the valve guide seals. I wonder if installing the water/meth will help clean up the rings at all if they are sticky? I know it should help clean the combustion chambers of carbon deposits at least. My stock engine didn't burn a drop but it got a high load break in with lots of WOT within the first 500 miles and 2 early OCIs. Worst case one day I can always frankenstein a J36 together using the J37 crank and rods with the J35 block and pistons. That would be a boost required buil though! Haha.

 

[dopes6070]

Congrats on a remarkable milestone!

I may have missed it, however did you ever install the M90? I'm asking because I have one in my Roush Mustang and it's a little powerhouse of a blower. With a tune, an easy 200 crank HP's over stock.

Good luck!

Unfortunatly time hasnt permitted the SC install. I want to try to get the water/meth done first so I can slap the sc on and hit Bisi right away to get tuned. My goal is about 330whp maybe a little better. I'll probably be limited somewhat by the high compression and crappy Kalifornia fuel.

 

[anthonyfa18]

Thanks for the link to that thread! I'm gonna have to read through it. Quite a few people have had short blocks replaced on the Acura forums for oil burning. 1qt per 1000mi is honda's spec for excessive consumption. Some 3.7l engines tend to burn oil. My mothers TL SH- AWD only burns about 1/8qt over an OCI. I guess its something with the rings and high silicon cylinders. I'm not worried about it as I will just keep it topped up. To me its worth the power. Acura's latest TSB sights gummed up rings as a common issue. Also these engines have a lot higher vacuum under engine braking which will tend to pull some oil past the valve guide seals. I wonder if installing the water/meth will help clean up the rings at all if they are sticky? I know it should help clean the combustion chambers of carbon deposits at least. My stock engine didn't burn a drop but it got a high load break in with lots of WOT within the first 500 miles and 2 early OCIs. Worst case one day I can always frankenstein a J36 together using the J37 crank and rods with the J35 block and pistons. That would be a boost required buil though! Haha.

Yes it true the 3.7l from 2010-2014 all burn oil because of how the rings are made, I am 99% that I have a fix just by swapping Mdx 2007-2009 piston rings witch those motor did not burn oil. By you going to acura and get a short block it a temporary fix. Trust me it 10 years I work in the parts at acura. I will try to get you guys pics soon pistons rings.