API ecu reflash vs. OEM ECU and Conversion Harness

[H22Ej1]

Alright so I've finally got my mind fairly set on a motor and trans combination for my 94 egg. I'm looking to pair up a J35A4 with an 04-08 manual TL-S transmission but I have a few questions about getting it to run that I haven't seen answered yet.

From what I've heard API will merge the two engine harnesses (I assume I would need a manual CL-S engine harness + my stock civic harness) and can reflash the ecu (99 Tl is preferred?) but what exactly does this leave you with in terms of performance and code reading abilities?

If I decided to not go that route what would be the proper ecu to use with this setup? I know they can both be converted to CL-S specs to run off of a CL-S ecu, but do I have other options? (I know 04+ TL-S are DBW.) And if other options are available, what options do I have for a wiring/conversion harness?

Thanks all.

[1diesel2hondas]

My 2 cents. Dons would be the best rout for the conversion harness. You could call his shop anytime for specific q and a. There is a aem ecu now for $1,300. It's expensive but you did ask if there's any other opptions and that's one. I hope to go this rout eventually. If you use a 04-08 tranny you'll need to buy a 03 cl-s 6speed bell housing and get the right flywheel....

[H22Ej1]

isnt that only necessary if i want to run it of a cl-s ecu so it can read the flywheel triggers?

[1diesel2hondas]

Ya. That's why I said to get the right flywheel. You had mentioned different set ups. P.s. Nice to see a female interested in these. My wife doesn't even like to listen to me go on about hondas. That's why I'm here. Haha.

[acidbath124]

also if you wanna go the aem route you are going to have to convert the engine to manual so you can use the 03 cl manual harness because the aem unit only works for the 03 cl manual setup the unit pictured on their site isnt the actual product i believe

[1diesel2hondas]

Someone from aem is our newest member. If you read the thread on the aem unit they're saying you can use a auto engine and harness with a 6speed tranny. That's one of the reasons I'd like to use the aem unit.

[RPM SYSTEMS]

and if you read the aem web site , it said that it can run a j32 j35 j37 . now i know that the j37 and new j35 are different pickup systems all together . it will work with a 5 speed or 6 speed tranny . they never made a 5 sped tranny. so how creditableis the other info. when i contacted aem , how they explained it was that is for manual engines only . which leaves 12% of the people to use the ecu. because only the 03 cl type-s 6 speed manual was the only one to come true manual.

now aem is not the smartest when giving out information to the public , i know this first hand. so who got 1200.00 to play with to find out.

and other thing about reflashing these earlier ecu . i dont think he is reflashing them , more or less he add or removing parts from the ecu to trick it . the honda's HIM ( honda Interface modular) which is the GNA600 will link up to the the ECU, and let you change things . but there is only some items that you can change , nothing with performance output.

[H22Ej1]

Ya. That's why I said to get the right flywheel. You had mentioned different set ups. P.s. Nice to see a female interested in these. My wife doesn't even like to listen to me go on about hondas. That's why I'm here. Haha.


im a dude ;)

thanks for the input on the reflash don, i couldnt find much information on it.

[1diesel2hondas]

Sorry Dude. Just going by the pic on your screen name.
Quote - I hope this is right!!!

Direct quote from AEM

"Yes. You can take an engine and harness out of an automatic car, mate it with a M/T and it will work perfectly with the new 30-6051 ECU.

Harnesses from any of the following cars, AUTOMATICS included are OK!
* 1999-2002 Accord V6 J30A1
* 1999-2003 3.2TL/CL J32A1
* 2002-2003 3.2TL/CL TypeS J32A2
* 2002-2004 Odessey 3.5L J35A4"

Great news! (if it's true of course haha. "

end quote

[DelSolid]

and if you read the aem web site , it said that it can run a j32 j35 j37 . now i know that the j37 and new j35 are different pickup systems all together . it will work with a 5 speed or 6 speed tranny . they never made a 5 sped tranny. so how creditableis the other info. when i contacted aem , how they explained it was that is for manual engines only . which leaves 12% of the people to use the ecu. because only the 03 cl type-s 6 speed manual was the only one to come true manual.

You can use an A/T harness with a M/T transmission with the new AEM 30-6051 ECU. It does not control the auto transmission but the harnesses from an auto transmission car will work fine and are the most available and cheapest harnesses out there.

The EMS will also control the J37 as well as the J30, J32, & J35 engines. The pickup patterns for the cam and crank sensors are fully programable and the pickup type (hall or mag) is jumper selectable in the ECU.

It will work with a 5 speed M/T as well as a 6 speed M/T. (yes I know that was a mistake, the 5 speed was never offered :p ).

Thanks for all the interest and support on this part. If this goes well then we are going to see if we can make more cool stuff for the J series.

[H22Ej1]

thats definitely something i would like to have down the road, but for the short term ill probably stick with an oem ecu...now if i were to use a j35a4 with a tl-s transmission can i just run it with the odyssey ecu and odyssey harness just by jumping the "Drive" wire at the ecu, or are there trans sensors that need to be wired in/faked?

[acidbath124]

You can use an A/T harness with a M/T transmission with the new AEM 30-6051 ECU. It does not control the auto transmission but the harnesses from an auto transmission car will work fine and are the most available and cheapest harnesses out there.

The EMS will also control the J37 as well as the J30, J32, & J35 engines. The pickup patterns for the cam and crank sensors are fully programable and the pickup type (hall or mag) is jumper selectable in the ECU.

It will work with a 5 speed M/T as well as a 6 speed M/T. (yes I know that was a mistake, the 5 speed was never offered :p ).

Thanks for all the interest and support on this part. If this goes well then we are going to see if we can make more cool stuff for the J series.

how do the plug ins match up? cuz the manual and auto harness ecu plugins are completely different

[DelSolid]

how do the plug ins match up? cuz the manual and auto harness ecu plugins are completely different

I've made a seperate FAQ thread about the AEM PnP EMS for the J-Series swaps so we dont have to keep hijacking H22's thread :p

http://www.j32a.com/showthread.php?t=992