02AV6 said:
There are also differences in cranshaft/rods for 3.5 as well as blocks. I found 03-04 MDX and '05 Odyssey doesn't fit
I disagree.
What doesn't fit???
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I'm using the 03-04 mdx crank on my build, which is a beefy forged steel thing of beauty. (recently coated with some "stuff") The 01-02 mdx is a cast crank, that's why there is a 300 - 400.00 difference between the cranks.
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Rods between the 3.5 motors, regardless of year will interchange unless the rod and or main bearing journal diameter changed, and I don't think it has. The length of the 3.5 rod is the same regardless of what year it is. 05 and up 3.5 use powder metal rods which in my opiinion suck in comparison to the forged rods you'll find
on some 03-04 mdx 3.5. (that's a trick in itself) The rest are cast. For auto makers, it's the profits, the powder metal rods are cheaper because it takes less machining.
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As for pistons, I'm using a 9.0:1 custom turbo pistons. Nothing about these pistons are similar to the stock ones other than the diameter. Ring lands and pin placement all custom design as is the valve pockets made deeper for special cams.
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Just a word about pistons for those who venture into the stroker world. If you use the cls heads, you will have to modify the stock valve pockets on the stock pistons.
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Good luck with all this, should turn out interesting with all the different approaches.