IDing a Honda J35 A3 or A4

wesinls

wesinls

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I'm on the hunt for a J35 A3 or A4 and wanting to avoid an A1 or A5,6,7,8 etc. From what I've noticed, this little rectangular ridge on the intake looks to be a good indicator? Is there anything else? Some of the listings have a plastic cover on them so I can't see the intake - anyone know what plastic covers come on these engines?

In short - any advice on IDing a J35 A3, A4?

The JDM dealers I've talked to seem confused when I ask if it is a A3 or A4.

1735309980305.png

In example, here is another J35 where its stated it fits the same generation cars but without that little rectangular

1735310162817.png
 
wesinls said:
I'm on the hunt for a J35 A3 or A4 and wanting to avoid an A1 or A5,6,7,8 etc. From what I've noticed, this little rectangular ridge on the intake looks to be a good indicator? Is there anything else? Some of the listings have a plastic cover on them so I can't see the intake - anyone know what plastic covers come on these engines?

In short - any advice on IDing a J35 A3, A4?

The JDM dealers I've talked to seem confused when I ask if it is a A3 or A4.

View attachment 133604

In example, here is another J35 where its stated it fits the same generation cars but without that little rectangular

View attachment 133605
Click to expand...
I trusted the people who I bought my motors from. Bought several and never had an issue. Scotts Honda Salvage in Fort Collons Co. Isn't it only year 2004 and maybe early 05's
Went back and looked at pic's and yes. all of mine had the rectangle you show on them. Is that positive id??????
 
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The intake will tell the story. The jdm motors will only say j35. The US junkyard motors will have the j35 plus the A designation.
 
I have a J35A4 and it has the rectangle on the top of the intake like your first picture. It also has a J35A4 stamp on the front passenger side of the engine (as it sits in the buggy). I may be going to the junkyard today to pull a part I need off a Pilot or Odyssey. I'll see if I notice any differences in the intake top plates. I thought the ones with that extra bolt in the middle was more likely from an Acura, but I don't really know. It's just something I noticed when I was looking for an intake cover that had the Honda emblem on it. Those wouldn't match up to my 2003-2005 J35A4, but they could still fit some J35s
 

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Yes, forgot, motors did have marking like in photo.
 
Starting with the a6's, they had single port exhaust.. The A3 will have a lower manifold than the a4
 
MPC said:
I have a J35A4 and it has the rectangle on the top of the intake like your first picture. It also has a J35A4 stamp on the front passenger side of the engine (as it sits in the buggy). I may be going to the junkyard today to pull a part I need off a Pilot or Odyssey. I'll see if I notice any differences in the intake top plates. I thought the ones with that extra bolt in the middle was more likely from an Acura, but I don't really know. It's just something I noticed when I was looking for an intake cover that had the Honda emblem on it. Those wouldn't match up to my 2003-2005 J35A4, but they could still fit some J35s
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Thank you - what's odd is that the motors from Japan (JDM) do not have the A3, A4 designator on the block...just J35 and I haven't been able to find a decoder for the VIN number thats shown on them,
 
My dad's J35-A4 has the rectangle you speak of. He might be selling it. He is taking about selling the whole car and has a built 091 in it. I can ask what he wants to do. It may be better for him to part it out than for him to finish building it and selling it.

I kinda want his engine for my car to make more power than my 2.5 subie

20241227_121843.jpg
 
I have an RDOT motor has individual exhaust ports. has a 9" adapter kit and flywheel too
RDOT stands for Replacement Department Of Transportation. so, it was a brand-new block at some point, polished intake plenum and orange valve covers $1000 for engine and adapter. I also have some other parts too like starter, ecu, stock ecu, turbo if needed for some extra costs
 
punkur67 said:
My dad's J35-A4 has the rectangle you speak of. He might be selling it. He is taking about selling the whole car and has a built 091 in it. I can ask what he wants to do. It may be better for him to part it out than for him to finish building it and selling it.

I kinda want his engine for my car to make more power than my 2.5 subie

View attachment 133636
Click to expand...
Keep me posted if he decides to sell it.
 
wesinls said:
Thank you - what's odd is that the motors from Japan (JDM) do not have the A3, A4 designator on the block...just J35 and I haven't been able to find a decoder for the VIN number thats shown on them,
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Oh I didn't realize that. I also looked for an engine decoder with no luck. I was trying to find out exactly what vehicle mine came from. I guess it doesn't really matter as long as the parts are the same for all J35A4 engines.
 
The intake is the typical easy way to ID all the first gen engines. Second would be pulling a valve cover and looking at the cam/rocker set up. The early engines only had two intake rockers. The later ones had three.
 

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John@Outfront said:
I have an RDOT motor has individual exhaust ports. has a 9" adapter kit and flywheel too
RDOT stands for Replacement Department Of Transportation. so, it was a brand-new block at some point, polished intake plenum and orange valve covers $1000 for engine and adapter. I also have some other parts too like starter, ecu, stock ecu, turbo if needed for some extra costs
Click to expand...
Can you post a pic or two?

Honda did sell/offer long blocks. Only short blocks.
 
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