Honda J35A engine (J35Z, J35Y)

1. Specifications
2. Overview, problems
3. Performance tuning

Honda J35A/J35Z engine specs

Honda J35A (J35Z, J35Y) engine reliability, problems and repair

In 1998, a 3.5-liter J35A V6 was launched, which was first used for Honda Odyssey. This engine was developed on the base of the J32A cylinder block, its deck height was 235 mm. They installed a long stroke forged crankshaft with 93 mm stroke and lightweight rods 158.5 mm long. The compression height of the pistons was not changed, and was equal to 30 mm. This provided extra 300 cm3 of displacement.
The J35 engine uses two SOHC cylinder heads with a VTEC system, which is very similar to the J30A1 heads. These heads have 4 valves per cylinder. The diameter of intake valves is 34 mm, of the exhaust valves – 29 mm.
The camshafts are rotated by the timing belt to be replaced after 60,000 miles.
It is recommended to adjust valves after every 30,000 miles. Valve clearances for a cold engine are 0.24-0.26 mm for intake and 0.28-0.32 mm for exhaust valves.
The Honda J35 firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.
The first modification of J35A had a 55 mm throttle body. This engine was gradually improved and the main differences between the modifications are shown below.
The Honda J35 engine has several fellow engines in the J series: J25, J30, J32 and J37.

Honda J35A (J35Z, J35Y) engine modifications and differences

1. J35A1 (1998 – 2001) is the very first modification for Honda Odyssey. The compression ratio was 9.4, the VTEC system was activated after 3,300 rpm and the power was 210 HP @ 5,200 rpm, the torque was 310 Nm @ 4,300 rpm.
2. J35A3 (2000 – 2007) was a slightly improved J35A1. It featured a new 2-stage intake manifold that was designed for low – and midrange-rpm torque. It was activated after 3,500 rpm. The J35A3 also featured the compression ratio increased to 10, a new ECU, and VTEC was activated after 4,100 rpm. All this improved the features, and now the power reached 243 HP @ 5,300 rpm, the torque was 332 Nm @ 3,000 to 5,000 rpm.
The J35A3 engine was installed in Acura MDX and Saturn Vue.
3. J35A4 (2001 – 2004) – this engine replaced J35A1. It featured a new intake manifold, its throttle body diameter was increased to 64 mm, and a new exhaust system was used. Also, there was an improved VTEC system, the diameter of intake valves was increased to 35 mm, of exhaust valves to 30 mm, the compression ratio was raised to 10. The J35A4 stock fuel injectors size was 240 cc. These upgrades boosted the power to 240 HP @ 5,400 rpm, the torque was 328 Nm @ 4,500 rpm.
This engine was intended for Honda Odyssey and Honda Pilot.
4. J35A5 (2002 – 2006) – this engine replaced the J35A3. Here a cylinder block with cast iron sleeves was used along with the new 2-stage intake manifold (activated at 3,700 rpm), an electronic throttle, an improved exhaust system, and more dynamic camshafts. The VTEC system is triggered upon reaching 4,400 rpm. Here the fuel system has been modified, and everything is controlled by another ECU. This modes increased engine efficiency, and its power reached 265 HP @ 5,800 rpm, the torque was 340 Nm @ 3,500 rpm.
This engine was created only for Acura RDX.
5. J35A6 (2004 – 2010) – this engine replaced J35A4, and featured an electronic throttle body and an improved exhaust system. The power increased to 255 HP @ 5,750 rpm, the torque was 340 Nm @ 5,000 rpm.
The J35A6 was installed in Honda Pilot and Honda Odyssey.
6. J35A7 (2004 – 2012) was an analogue to J35A6, but equipped with a VCM 3-cylinder override system. The power was 244 HP @ 5,750 rpm, the torque was 325 Nm @ 4,500 rpm.
7. J35A8 (2005 – 2008) was an analogue to J35A5, but with the compression ratio of 11. The J35A8 engine also had oil jets for cooling pistons, new piston rods, hollow camshafts, modified intake head ports, intake valves were increased to 36 mm, and the VTEC system was activated at 4,950 rpm. For J35A8, a new 2-stage intake manifold was used (activated at 4,000 rpm), a cold air intake system and a variable flow exhaust system were used. It added a bit more horsepower, and the power was 286 HP @ 6,200 rpm, the torque was 347 Nm @ 5,000 rpm.
The J35A8 engine was intended for Acura RL and Acura TL Type-S.
8. J35A9 (2006 – 2008) was an analogue to J35A6 intended for Honda Pilot AWD and Honda Ridgeline. Its power was 248 HP @ 5,750 rpm, and the torque was 343 Nm @ 4,500 rpm.
9. J35Z1 (2006 – 2008) was an analogue to J35A9 for Honda Pilot FWD. The power was 244 HP @ 5,750 rpm, and the torque was 325 Nm @ 4,500 rpm.
10. J35Z2 (2007 – 2012) was the engine that replaced J35A5. It was equipped with a VCM system and could deactivate 2 or 3 cylinders. The compression ratio was 10.5, and the power was 272 HP @ 6,200 rpm, the torque was 344 Nm @ 5,000 rpm.
You can buy an Acura RDX or an 8th generation Honda Accord with this engine.
11. J35Z3 (2007 – 2012) was an analogue to J35Z2, but without the VCM system.
It could be in 8th generation Honda Accord Coupe with manual transmission.
12. J35Z4 (2008 – 2015) – this engine replaced J35Z1. Its main features were a cold air intake system, a new 2-stage intake manifold (activated at 4,200 rpm), the increased to 10.5 compression ratio, and a VCM system (could deactivate 2 or 3 cylinders). As a result, the power increased to 253 HP @ 5,700 rpm, the torque was 343 Nm @ 4,800 rpm.
The J35Z4 was installed in 2nd generation Honda Pilot.
13. J35Z5 (2009 – 2014) was the same J35A5, but with the compression ratio equal to 10.
It was installed in Honda Ridgeline.
14. J35Z6 (2008 – 2014) – this modification replaced the J35A8 engine. The compression ratio increased to 11.2, oil jets were installed into the cylinder block, light connecting rods were used along with the 64 mm throttle body, a 2-stage intake manifold (triggered at 3,950 rpm) and a sports exhaust system. VTEC activated at 4,750 rpm. As a result, the power reached 280 HP @ 6,200 rpm, the torque was 344 Nm @ 5,000 rpm.
You can get a J35Z6 engine with an Acura TL or an Acura TSX.
15. J35Y1 Earth dreams (2012 – 2017) – this engine was created to replace J35Z2 and J35Z3. Its main features were new intake and exhaust head ports, a revised VTEC system activated at 5,150 rpm. This added a bit more horsepower, and J35Y1 power reached 280 HP @ 6,200 rpm, the torque was 342 Nm @ 4,900 rpm.
J35Y1 was made for 9th generation Honda Accord.
16. J35Y2 (2012 – 2017) was an analog to J35Y1, but here VTEC was activated at 4,900 rpm.
This engine was installed in 9th generation Honda Accord with manual transmission.
17. J35Y4 (2013 – present) is a modification with the direct injection system. The compression ratio was also increased here to 11.5, and the cooling and exhaust system were improved. This engine was equipped with a VTEC system, that was triggered at 5,000 rpm. These changes increased the torque at low rpm, and increased fuel efficiency.
J35Y4 power increased to 310 HP @ 6,500 rpm, the torque is 369 Nm @ 4,500 rpm.
This engine was installed in Acura RLX.
18. J35Y5 (2013 – present) is an analog to J35Y4, but it installed in Acura MDX. The power is 290 HP @ 6,200 rpm, the torque is 369 Nm @ 4,500 rpm.
19. J35Y6 (2014 – present) is an analog to J35Y5, which was installed in 3rd generation Honda Pilot and Acura TLX. This engine was designed to replace J35Z6.

Honda J35 engine problems and malfunctions

1. Oil leaks through VCM gaskets. This problem often happens with Honda Pilot. It is enough to buy a gasket kit, and replace the gaskets.
2. Excessive camshafts wear. This may happen, if you do not adjust valves after every 30,000 miles. After about 60,000 miles, you will hear metal sound; it is a symptom of a worn camshaft. This problem is easily solved, you just have to replace a worn camshaft.
There are the two key problems, but they are easily solved if you regularly service your car, and use high quality engine oil. Such a J35 will be very reliable, and you won’t have serious problems with it.

Honda J35A engine tuning

It will cost you a lot to build a really fast Honda J35A, and it will be cheaper to buy a faster used BMW M5 (or something else).
Nevertheless, to add some power, you may buy a cold air intake system, a J37A intake manifold, a J37A throttle body, Bisimoto cams, valve springs and retainers, performance headers and a 3 inch aftermarket exhaust system. Performance may be improved by head porting.
Instead of your heads, you can use J32A2 heads, J32A2 pistons, and a J32A2 intake and exhaust system. In this case, only a short block will remain of your J35.
All these performance parts will increase power to 320-330 HP at the flywheel.
You can just buy a supercharger kit, install it directly on the stock internals, and get the same amount of power.
Building turbo projects for obtaining 400++ HP does not make sense, it is too long and expensive.

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