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6 Speed Manual Transmission Swap Guide and Harness Info.

88147 Views 115 Replies 48 Participants Last post by  6sp7gen
There has been much confusion with swapping a 6 speed manual transmission into a 6th gen V6 Accord. I thought I would write this post to allow people to easily understand how the process works without unnecessary reposting of this topic over and over again. As well as filling my PM box with one sentence messages asking "How do a swap a 6 speed in my car?"

The Module
Overview
The swap module allows for the interfacing of the 6 speed manual transmission with the stock Accord 4 speed automatic transmission computer.

Without the module the following feature will not work.
-VTEC
-Full rev limit
-Speedo
-Reverse lock out
-Reverse light
-Passing inspection due to CEL

Parts list
The parts used for this swap are quite simple everything is available from Honda except the harness. Try to get as many parts off the donor car as possible. Here are some diagrams of the parts needed.

You can purchase parts and view detailed diagrams at Honda parts sites such as www.hondaautomotiveparts.com and www.acuraautomotiveparts.org. I find these are great sites for diagrams which allow you to see what is involved in a swap.

Mounts
The only mounts that are required to be change are the transmission mounts. The rear engine mounts can also be changed with a CL-S mount which is stronger but is not required. For the transmission mounts use the ones from the 03 CL-S 6 speed.

Axles and Intermediate shaft
The stock axles and intermediate shaft work just fine with the 6 speed transmissions. The CL-S axles are suppose to be stronger and thicker.

Pedals
You can use either the 03 CL-S or I4 Accord pedals.

Clutch hydraulics
You can use the clutch lines from the CL-S as well as the master cylinder. I have tried using a master cylinder from a mid 90's Civic as well and it works just fine and is a good bit cheaper.

Clutch Disc, Pressure Plate and Flywheel
You can use the clutch disc, pressure plate and flywheel from any 6 speed transmission. The Accord, TL and CL all use the same clutch but the CL uses a different flywheel which doesn't matter with this harness.

Shifter and Linkages
The I4 Accord shifter and linkages are not a direct fit and will have to be modified. The only linkages and shifter that are a direct fit are the from the 03 CL-S.

Starter
The automatic starter will not bolt up to the 6MT transmission you will be one from any 6MT car.
03 CL-S 6MT
03-07 Accord 6MT
6 Speed Transmissions

6 Speed transmissions from the following cars can be used. But the Accord and TL transmissions will have to be modified slightly by welding on a stud for the shift linkage. (more on this later)
03-07 Accord V6 MT (NO LSD)
03 CL-S MT (LSD)
04-08 TL MT (LSD)

Special Preparations
Before installing the harness the mechanical aspects and stock wiring should be checked for functionality. This can done be driving the car in limp mode, by removing the transmission range switch from the automatic transmission and connecting it to the engine harness. Then by manipulating the the switch to the N or P position using a screw driver. Test to see if the car will drive. This will eliminate difficult troubleshooting due to the possibility of problems with both the car and harness.


Common Questions
Q: What car will this harness work on.
A: 98-02 Accord V6

Q: Will the harness work with a TL or CL.
A: Not yet we are working on the Type-S ECU currently. The harness might work on the 99 TL and will soon be tested.

Q: Can I use a I4 or Prelude transmission.
A: No only the listed transmission will work.

Q: Can I use this harness with the J32A2 Type-S ecu.
A: No, we are currently working on a harness that works with a Type-S motor. We hope this can be applied to the Accord, TL and CL.

Q: How can I get a harness.
A: The design has been modified for a easy install and will be mass produced soon. The first ones should be ready in around April.

Success Stories
Please let me know of any corrections.

Richie V6
99 Accord J30A1 with TL 6 Speed
99 Accord ECU

Capnff
00 Accord J32A1 with Accord 6 Speed
00 Accord ECU

MikeyMike
99 Accord J30A1 with CL 6 Speed
99 Accord ECU

JDMGRNAV6
99 Accord J30A1 with Accord 6 Speed
99 Accord ECU

Cmann87
99 Accord J30A1 with Accord 6 Speed
99 Accord ECU

2nd Gen Harness
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YESSSSSSSSSSS. SCORE. Count me in. As always.
Just working to perfect everything. Once the products leaves I never want to see it again. ;)
well as i get closer to the time i will let you know
can u post the videos in on the first page in the post? i think alot of people would be interested in seeing those. (including me hahahaha)
can u post the videos in on the first page in the post? i think alot of people would be interested in seeing those. (including me hahahaha)
Yea when I get my new exhaust on. Right now my car is way too loud for my area. It was much easier at school since 5 miles out would put me in the boonies.
Yea when I get my new exhaust on. Right now my car is way too loud for my area. It was much easier at school since 5 miles out would put me in the boonies.

just post the old ones until then
Why don't you just watch MikeyMike's 6 speed vid?
as far as the shift linkages work. could i use the linkage from the 05tl? its cheaper. im using the 05 trans BTW.
where da hail did this thread come from? lols

and i need a starter too? i never knew about this!

epic fail.
what happen in civic not happen with accord Tl or Cl tranny right, bc accord,Tl and Cl tranny 6speed comes out before civic.
where da hail did this thread come from? lols

and i need a starter too? i never knew about this!

epic fail.
im still a noob on this forum so i see all the "classic threadds" but seriously,

will the 05 tl linkage work?
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im still a noob on this forum so i see all the "classic threadds" but seriously,

will the 05 tl linkage work?
No idea you can try, are the part numbers be the same?
im just going to go safe and buy the cl-s one.

now to find that damn flywheel bolt thats backordered across acura.

are the accord/TL/cl-s bolts all the same?
correct me if im wrong

so your saying that if i use the ECU from the 03 CL 6MT i shouldn't need this module or i would be better off with my original ECU from my 4 AT and get the custom module and use it together. All in all do think that the ECU from the 06 MT is better or no? And how do i find out what engine i have in my car?
By the way in kinda new at this so forgive the dumn questions.
ok.. im clear with all the tranny and part swap.. but im still so confused with the harness/ecu issue :S.. isnt is easier if i just change my original ecu and put in a 6spd 7th gen av6 ecu or 6 spd cl/tl ecu without having to make the harness mess? this harness ecu thing has got me crazy!
if you want to use the ECU from 7th gen manual accord,you have to swap your engine with J30A4 bc they has knock sensor but not on your accord and same with CL-s 6speed you need J32A2,
so your saying that if i use the ECU from the 03 CL 6MT i shouldn't need this module or i would be better off with my original ECU from my 4 AT and get the custom module and use it together. All in all do think that the ECU from the 06 MT is better or no? And how do i find out what engine i have in my car?
By the way in kinda new at this so forgive the dumn questions.
Wiring for the CL6 ECU is complex and requires the rare engine and 6 speed from a CL-6. It would be easier to use this module since you can use any 6 speed and your stock ECU. The engine code is listed on the block where the trans and engine meet up. Better yet tell me what car you have.

ok.. im clear with all the tranny and part swap.. but im still so confused with the harness/ecu issue :S.. isnt is easier if i just change my original ecu and put in a 6spd 7th gen av6 ecu or 6 spd cl/tl ecu without having to make the harness mess? this harness ecu thing has got me crazy!
My harness/ module is the simplest solution. The 7th gen J30 6MT ecu is completely different from the 6th gen J30 ECU. Wiring would be a nightmare due to the CAN bus, DBW and sensors.
so its simple then.. transmission linkages tranny mounts axles clutch flywheel bla bla and the harness.. which is plug in right?
so its simple then.. transmission linkages tranny mounts axles clutch flywheel bla bla and the harness.. which is plug in right?
You will have to wire it up. I am not longer doing the PNP.
lol is it hard? can any graduated mechanic do all of this? because i aint but my brother is.. actually from uti
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