Should I JDM-swap the transmission in my 1999 Accord 2.3l with 230,000 miles?
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Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 13
Should I JDM-swap the transmission in my 1999 Accord 2.3l with 230,000 miles?
The transmission has been leaking badly for several thousand miles. I replaced the car as soon as I could, but otherwise it is a great car that has been in our family since new.
A friend put most of the miles on the car since I discovered the leak and I learned not to loan cars to friends.
We haven't talked since I finally got my car back.
I live in rural Arizona and a place in Phoenix will ship a JDM transmission for $930, but I hope that freight would be less since I am in-state.
The closest transmission that Car-part.com shows with any kind of encouraging information is over 600 miles away and just says "TESTED GOOD, STOCK# #0001418, TAG# #0001418."
There is one almost 800 miles away for $350 with a 60-day warranty--and 279,000 miles.
However, there is another slightly further away with the same price and warranty, but only 178,000 miles.
LKQ will ship a US-built transmission with 126,000 miles for $1,257.80.
Mine was built in Japan, but I am sure those are closer than the JDM ones.
Some people have reported problems, but I haven't seen any conclusions. Did they fix the problem? Did they need to cut their losses?
Did they sell their car and commit to the bike life?!
I have read the MCJA has taller third and fourth gears than the BAXA\MAX and some parts need to be swapped from the old transmission to the new one. It doesn't sound like too much trouble, but I want my speedometer to read correctly!
Is it worth going through the extra steps to swap a less-expensive JDM transmission with lower miles?
Thank you very much! Have a great day!
A friend put most of the miles on the car since I discovered the leak and I learned not to loan cars to friends.
We haven't talked since I finally got my car back.
I live in rural Arizona and a place in Phoenix will ship a JDM transmission for $930, but I hope that freight would be less since I am in-state.
The closest transmission that Car-part.com shows with any kind of encouraging information is over 600 miles away and just says "TESTED GOOD, STOCK# #0001418, TAG# #0001418."
There is one almost 800 miles away for $350 with a 60-day warranty--and 279,000 miles.
However, there is another slightly further away with the same price and warranty, but only 178,000 miles.
LKQ will ship a US-built transmission with 126,000 miles for $1,257.80.
Mine was built in Japan, but I am sure those are closer than the JDM ones.
Some people have reported problems, but I haven't seen any conclusions. Did they fix the problem? Did they need to cut their losses?
Did they sell their car and commit to the bike life?!
I have read the MCJA has taller third and fourth gears than the BAXA\MAX and some parts need to be swapped from the old transmission to the new one. It doesn't sound like too much trouble, but I want my speedometer to read correctly!
Is it worth going through the extra steps to swap a less-expensive JDM transmission with lower miles?
Thank you very much! Have a great day!
Super Moderator
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 16,331
From: Houston, TX
There is always risk on a used transmission, so having a warranty is helpful. Ask if the warranty covers installation.
Some junkyards don't subscribe to car-part, so you may want to call some local yards to see what they have. LKQ even has u-pull-it yards that you can search on their site.
Another option is to find a place that can rebuild/repair your current transmission and see what they charge.
Some junkyards don't subscribe to car-part, so you may want to call some local yards to see what they have. LKQ even has u-pull-it yards that you can search on their site.
Another option is to find a place that can rebuild/repair your current transmission and see what they charge.
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Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 13
When I called the one junkyard in my town they said they didn't have any Hondas of my generation.
I called three within an hour, but only one answered, and the only Honda passenger vehicle is a 1991.
I will look closer to Phoenix tomorrow.
I called three within an hour, but only one answered, and the only Honda passenger vehicle is a 1991.
I will look closer to Phoenix tomorrow.
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Newest Of Newbies
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 13
When I occasionally cannot fix a car myself I take it to a mechanic in town who only charges $60 an hour--but often takes a week or longer for a couple hours of work.
However, he quoted $1,400 to JDM-swap the engine in my 2002 Civic.
I figured that I would replace the head gasket myself and see how the engine with 250,000 miles is.
It is a Honda, so hopefully it has some life left, plus the car looks beautiful!
RepairPal indicates that dozens of shops in the Phoenix area would swap a transmission for $1,000 in labor, although that is priced with a non-JDM engine.
My mechanic talked about the extra labor to swap 3 solenoids, but hopefully one of these garages wouldn't charge too much for that.
Two offer 50,000-mile warranties and a military discount!
I am a Veteran. I always wish hope that some day my cash flows the correct direction, but for now I gratefully appreciate all of the help I can get!
Other places offer loaner vehicles.
The only loaner I have ever received was my mechanic's wife's bicycle with a leaky tire!
The JDM transmission I have found are supposed to ship for $800-875, plus $80-90 for lift gate service.
The only one that doesn't say "Flat rate" is in Phoenix and says "We offer a discounted rate for pick-ups."
The rest charge a flat rate of $200-275 to ship and it isn't any cheaper to a shop in Phoenix than to my rural address a few hours away.
That is disappointing.
I could save by renting a Uhaul and transporting the transmission?
So, I could save $80-90 in lift gate fees if I drive my leaky car to Phoenix and pay a mechanic $1,000+ to swap everything.
Napa says that labor would be between $722 to $1,374 and there are a few in neighboring towns, so I guess that I will call them tomorrow.
I could get a ride home and work on another car!
Napa guarantees for 24 months/24,000 miles.
Napa's estimator is powered by RepairPal, but RepairPal doesn't show a shop near me.
However, he quoted $1,400 to JDM-swap the engine in my 2002 Civic.
I figured that I would replace the head gasket myself and see how the engine with 250,000 miles is.
It is a Honda, so hopefully it has some life left, plus the car looks beautiful!
RepairPal indicates that dozens of shops in the Phoenix area would swap a transmission for $1,000 in labor, although that is priced with a non-JDM engine.
My mechanic talked about the extra labor to swap 3 solenoids, but hopefully one of these garages wouldn't charge too much for that.
Two offer 50,000-mile warranties and a military discount!
I am a Veteran. I always wish hope that some day my cash flows the correct direction, but for now I gratefully appreciate all of the help I can get!
Other places offer loaner vehicles.
The only loaner I have ever received was my mechanic's wife's bicycle with a leaky tire!
The JDM transmission I have found are supposed to ship for $800-875, plus $80-90 for lift gate service.
The only one that doesn't say "Flat rate" is in Phoenix and says "We offer a discounted rate for pick-ups."
The rest charge a flat rate of $200-275 to ship and it isn't any cheaper to a shop in Phoenix than to my rural address a few hours away.
That is disappointing.
I could save by renting a Uhaul and transporting the transmission?
So, I could save $80-90 in lift gate fees if I drive my leaky car to Phoenix and pay a mechanic $1,000+ to swap everything.
Napa says that labor would be between $722 to $1,374 and there are a few in neighboring towns, so I guess that I will call them tomorrow.
I could get a ride home and work on another car!
Napa guarantees for 24 months/24,000 miles.
Napa's estimator is powered by RepairPal, but RepairPal doesn't show a shop near me.
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