Adding a THIRD PEDAL Our CL9 TSX! || Going Automatic to a Manual Transmission!

TSX Auto to Manual Conversion Part 1
By Aaron Gaghagen and Brian Gillespie
CL9 TSXs are becoming super affordable these days. Unfortunately the majority of the TSXs out there have automatic transmissions. So to make our TSX more driveable and (hopefully) faster, we are going to do a manual conversion. There's not a lot of information about how to do this. We quickly learn that this is going to be much more involved than other auto to manual swaps we have done before. But, if we're going to get the most out of our K24A2, it must be done.
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DISCLAIMER:
VTEC Academy videos are for educational and entertainment purposes. We can not guarantee the modifications performed in the video are legal in your locality. Do not do any modifications to your vehicle that will void your warranty or in any way violate your local laws. We assume no liability for property damage or injury as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use the information provided at your own risk. It's on you, dog.

[@SeventyEightCivic]

The CL9/TSX is so underrated.

[@iknuggz2842]

Starting to see more and more of them on the streets though

[@mattvang3439]

If only they would stop blowing up steering racks

[@iknuggz2842]

@mattvang3439 it's the compressor that blows up but I have to replace both on mine lmfao

[@pepperfish_]

Not any different than any other Honda. People been dissin civics since the 80's. This is like a widebody civic with a better front suspension. The first day the CL9 came out I said to myself "That is my car". 7 years later I had it.

[@itspurpstudios]

Underrated ? Are you kidding ? The K24a2 are in 80% of K Swapped Hondas lol

[@jsr3793]

(Right now) there's about a $5-7000 dollar difference between the auto and manual. About three times what this swap would cost. Excellent info, thank you.

[@VTECAcademy]

It’ll just cost some sweat and time.

[@HaydenMiami]

THANK GOD... that I found a manual TSX! I bought an Auto TSX in 2020 with the intent to manual swap, couldn't find any definite info online and was thrilled when you guys hinted at a manual swap with the original Silver TSX. I compiled all the necessary parts for the swap, but fell into a Manual Car and decided to move ahead with that chassis instead. There's no way I would've been trying to pull out the dashboard and do all this crazy stuff to complete this swap on my driveway..Oh Hell No! I'll follow along to see how this ends up, but this swap would've been too much for me. Luv following this channel, Cheers 👍🏼☺️

[@Junkyard_Tony]

Where did you find a manual transmission?

[@HaydenMiami]

@@Junkyard_Tony I fell into one locally, this was like 3 years ago

[@paul06660]

Brian you should use urethane auto body seam sealer to seal up that plate. Also use a grinding stone on a trill or dremel to debur and take the sharp edge off that hole for the wiring. Thank you for the good video.

[@jonathanLara1989]

TSX is such a good looking car !!! The TL is nice but I like the TSX better…I remember one of my buddy owned a manual 6 speed it was so smooth ..back in 2006 such good content

[@B_rad24]

Just finished wrapping up my manual swap on a 2005 tl. Its cool to see that the procedure is pretty much the same. Had to fabricate brackets for the clutch pedal and reposition wiring.

[@VTECAcademy]

Nice work!

[@Mikeywelcs]

Thanks alot for uploading this, there is zero videos on how to auto> manual swap a tsx/accord on KZbin, nor is there any information on google about it, this is the 1st video I've ever seen. Can't wait for the next video. I'm going to manual swap my CL8 awd accord once the rest of the videos are released, it will be the 1st ever in the world.

[@VTECAcademy]

Hell yeah! That sounds awesome. Thanks for watching.

[@zaytyga]

This will be a high demanded KZbin video. For sure. And this is done by none other than VTEC academy so this will help many and it'll be done with remarkable precision.

[@THESTEIN325]

Waiting on my transmission then I'll be doing this to mine. Thank you guys so much for the archive of resources you've built for these things.

[@Jovane2707]

Uk viewer who loves your channel

[@VTECAcademy]

Thank you!!

[@MrSocalrex88]

We were all waiting for this episode!

[@Simple_tl]

Waiting on the tl manual swap so I can so mine

[@MagMan4x4]

Sweet!! When can I bring my 04 by the shop for a manual and a J35 swap? I’ll bring the beer and a pile of money.

[@Desertduleler_88]

Interesting modification, you guys have gone to a lot of trouble to do this conversion. I was surprised it wasn’t exactly plug and play a part from the adding the clutch pedal assembly.

[@HONDA_gAWD]

Another awesome videos Brian. Keep up the GREAT work.

[@baronektran]

i love this series as a cl9 enthusiast

[@getitdonegarage]

Been wanting to do this to mines cant wait for the info

[@hinsonian]

I read on forums that TSX auto difference are too great to go manual. I was like ... uh oh! Love how VA just barrels through the bs and knocks it out. I bet that pedal feels better than stock manual with all those armor plates.

[@VTECAcademy]

Right?!

[@generoguerra4560]

So glad someone finally made a video i was getting ready to do this to mine and now i know i dont want to lmao

[@zubiddydoodoopop]

The joy of clutch work on a 7th gen Accord is no better than this. I threw out my back and have a scar on my middle finger from having to swap out blown primary and secondary pressure cylinders. Parts are so tucked away I had to do most of the job by feel alone. The real chef's kiss of suffering after I tried buttoning everything up was realizing the clutch pedal mounting bracket was shattered so the pedal was flopping around so I still ended up sending the car in for the bracket to be welded up so I'd have a functioning pedal. Manuals were certainly an afterthought for this generation with how hard Honda tried to tuck away all the parts into the tiniest corners. I'm not shocked with the fab work just to clear the wires for the pedal mount. I really hope this job will be easier on a 2017 Accord. Really want a 4 door model with a V6 & MT but since those 3 options never existed simultaneously I may have to resort to doing this if I really want those 2 extra doors

[@latuba2478]

Man a 4-door 6-6 9th gen accord sounds sweet

[@VTECAcademy]

Sheesh, that’s such a pain! Hopefully the end product was worth it for you.

[@zubiddydoodoopop]

@@latuba2478 yeah I have no idea why they limited themselves so much for so long. It's a missed opportunity and it just isn't the same with the new turbo 4's they have on offer. Plus the older models have aged better imo, the new ones look slumpy and couple that with the oil dilution issues the 1.5's sometimes have I might just pretend these new ones don't exist

[@zubiddydoodoopop]

@@VTECAcademy it was worth it. Insurance covered the tow so it was only about $20 in labor since it only needed a few tacks to make it secure. It certainly did make me want to try out welding myself some day but I'll need more space and disposable income to make the investment

[@bebosu7817]

I’m currently doing do this to my TSX awesome info

[@Aladdin5cave]

They are such great cars. Had mine (manual) for nearly 20 years.

[@RacingHeartMedia]

Love to see a CRV manual swap

[@camlobesvtec]

Ohhhh the joy of an automatic to manual swap!

[@toekneefurareoh]

Wow that’s a lot of work. You’re right though prices for these cars are real low.

[@danieltracy9801]

So far the biggest issues apply to the TL/accord also. Clutch braket and engine fusebox to under hood harness is the same.

[@ej1-jay393]

I’ve been waiting for this video 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽

[@VTECAcademy]

Wiring is up next!

[@raysb240sx]

Awesome video

[@HigginsHobbies]

I've owned a manual tsx ,also a good technician. That dash is way easier than any bmw

[@TurboTriskter01]

Yes thank you

[@TurboTriskter01]

Please sell the brackets asap

[@tevinberglund9671]

Just did the same thing to my RD1 CRV. a lot easier haha. I love the videos!

[@ayyb5893]

k20c1 into a tsx is a great swap to try, power and torque would have it moving

[@Kurtster600]

I’d be curious to see what transmission setup you guys will be doing. I wouldn’t want to use the magnesium housing since I hear about it being weak. Apparently you can use an 03-07 accord 5-spd housing and put 6-spd gears in it, but I don’t know specifics. I definitely want to manual swap my car so I anxiously await the next episode!

[@DochVTAKCD7]

Ive completed two UA6 TL auto to manual transmission conversions myself. In regards to the hardware aspects, you'll have to fabricate similar brackets like the TSX, or drill the spot welds out from the manual chassis and use the oem brackets.

[@VTECAcademy]

I’m pretty sure the parts we make for the TSX will also work on the TL.

[@DochVTAKCD7]

@VTECAcademy I'm not a betting man, but I would say yes to that notion. It's more complicated than converting 80s and 90s Civics and Accords but not impossible. Thanks to you and the team for making it easier for the masses.

[@renomotta5020]

Nice! Where and when the prototype parts will be for sale?

[@MrWilliam.Stewart]

Fixed!

[@jahbrake9791]

"Just turn the firewall into Swiss cheese" 😂

[@ka5r215]

Please cover element full j swap

[@haydenpaolinelli3138]

You guys should do a k swap on a first gen fit!

[@VTECAcademy]

I actually did one of those back in 2007. I am looking for a first generation fit right now to do it for the KZbin channel.

[@supers0nic77]

I'd love to manual swap my 05 accord

[@josefranciscoromero6846]

Saludos desde spain yo tengo un honda jazz y me encantaría hacer un swap K20 pero por aqui es muy difícil saludos

[@jaysmith2385]

I need a kit. To swap it to manual.

[@latuba2478]

Could you guys briefly go over the steps to ready the AT engine for an MT swap. Also, I’d be very keen to buy the clutch pedal bracket!!

[@latuba2478]

And the clutch cables needed. I’m planning to source just a gearbox and all the other parts I’d need

[@VTECAcademy]

Parrrrrt two coming soon.

[@ttinnovations3310]

this better than the new Acura Integra 2024

[@jakeb3149]

if my tsx is already a 6 speed k24a2 can i drop in an si trans or rsx type s trans no modifications??

[@thatdb1onelton_bloccstyle]

What you guys got going on for that white 4 door integra on the lift???...

[@VTECAcademy]

A K of course.

[@notbanksy8294]

Did you guys already make that manual kb1/kb2?

[@oscargarcia6466]

I want to manual swap my 04 Honda awd element. 😅

[@malamysalami2333]

Let’s gooooo

[@quangpham2281]

Kit being put together?

[@cjkid_1089]

Where’s part 2

[@BryanMartinez-gs8sv]

Update on this

[@cgresham]

oh boy gonna get schooled again how do i keep doing this to myself

[@DJiNFEARER]

@vtecAcademy are harness swaps hard to do and what if i have the donor car

[@VTECAcademy]

It probably depends on the year. There seems to be a change in the electronics at the mid model update.

[@ramshacks9493]

Automatics dont suck honda did well on these auto trannies they made for the tsx/rsx/crv/civics i would prefer them over any ugly cvt transmissions, yeah manual is fun but the torque converters never get old

[@prm5798]

Can you do a 2.4 TLX manual swap?

[@VTECAcademy]

What year TLX?

[@prm5798]

@@VTECAcademy 2017

[@romaniblake6777]

what book were you referencing to?

[@VTECAcademy]

TSX shop manual

[@lamesamelame]

For this swap.. Can we use an 06-11 Civic Si transmission?

[@VTECAcademy]

Once I have the Mount kit finished, you will be able to.

[@lamesamelame]

@@VTECAcademy looking forward on information about the shifter and cables for this specific swap. Thanks 👍

[@bocasdeltoro8670]

Can you guys do my Tsx? I'm willing to pay to have it done

[@VTECAcademy]

Sorry, we don’t work on cars. Just VTEC Academy projects.

[@RacingHeartMedia]

Car at 2:58 on the lift?? Acura vigor or Early gen Acura Legend???

[@robertalicea5585]

Looks like a integra

[@VTECAcademy]

That is a 93 Acura Integra four-door.

[@RacingHeartMedia]

@@VTECAcademy any videos on that coming up???

[@thebalvenie757]

Honda Accord 😁

[@EzComEzG0]

Welp.... Good luck to those trying this 😬

[@allisonsmith3349]

My cousin did the swap and he didn’t have to take the dashboard out

[@VTECAcademy]

Sweet! How’d he do it? Video?

[@VTECAcademy]

That would’ve made it much more difficult to brace the top of the pedal. And also to show you guys how we did it.

[@pepperfish_]

The reason that auto to manual swap CL9 conversion is in such high demand is because there were so few manual transmission cars sold. It gets crazier with Championship White. '07 My White on black interior 6 spd has only 76 twin brothers and sisters. That's right only 76 cars were sold 6 spd white/black in 07. My VIN ends in 00026.

[@latuba2478]

If your car was champ white it’d be 1 of 1.

[@pepperfish_]

@@latuba2478 It's the rarest trim combination for a car that wasn't selling very well after 2005, selling so poorly that Acura withheld the sales figures in NA, I've used ChatGPT to scour Japanese technical journals to find the 76 cars sent to NA. I've used the paint codes to buy tricoat base clear. Championship White is what it says on the label. BTW A-spec Not 1 of 1, but there are only a few like it. That is for sure, go ahead look for one for sale. I did the research 10 years ago before I bought it, and there were only 2 white on black for sale in all of Canada. 1 auto 1 6 spd. I bought the 6 spd.

[@paulfernandez6767]

How do you know that ?

[@pepperfish_]

@@paulfernandez6767 Because I know how to do research. The sales figures for NA were kept secret by Acura due to low sales. But you can find out how many cars left Japan destined for NA. It took me 3 hours with ChatGPT translating Japanese but the Sayama, Saitama plant keeps a list of what they produced and where it went. It's a very long list.

[@VTECAcademy]

That’s actually really fascinating. I would love to have a white with black interior car.

[@andyvang6549]

Yeah just keep it auto if dash has to come out

[@VTECAcademy]

Ewww! 😂

[@jahbrake9791]

This video is all the motivation you need to not do this..

[@latuba2478]

It actually wasn’t too bad if you watched it. Your changing the car completely so it’s worth imo.

[@PANTYEATR1]

Shame on you Honda/Acura... Was it too hard to just make the firewall interchangeable for auto or manual? You defeated the whole purpose of what a "parts bin" car should be😕

[@VTECAcademy]

Ahahahaha!!

[@NobodyLikesyou.]

do a manual swap on j35z3 in a 8th gen Accord sedan eh?