Importing A Silvia

Ok, I'm too young to drive, but I want to know if and how Silvias are imported to the U.S. I know MotoRex doesn't do it, I'm wondering if they're any companies who do it. Also, if I didn't want to or couldn't import one, what would I have to do to make a previous generation 240SX look like the current JDM S15?

i think it is cheaper to just take a 1995-1998 nissan 240sx and do a strawberryface(s15 headlight conversion) then to import a real s15 from japan and get it legalized. :smokin:

It would cost you $32,000 to import a 1999 Silvia S15 spec R. to the US. Here's my contact info, call me @818-339-1805 or email [email protected]. I'm currenty trying to import a silvia into USA

Are 240SX's still in production in America? Are they legal in America? Some of you make it sound like it's very easy to do the strawberry face conversion on the 240SX, is it really that easy?

I'm confused, so your saying all I have to do to get a 99' Silvia S15 is to get a 240SX and just change the front headlights ? Don't I have to get the S15 engine under the hood of the 240SX?

Okay, now on to the Silvia S15 engine. Can I find one in America or am I better off just importing one from Japan? What should I do to get that engine? Do any of you got a link to a good website or something with detailed step-by-step instructions on how to convert a 240SX into and S15 Silvia? If you could just answer my questions here it would be better?

you guys do realise that just doing a S15 front end conversion doesn't make it a silvia.

You guys do realise that just putting in a SR20DET doesn't make it a silvia.

You guys do realise that silvia's are Right Hand Drive and that the S15 is very hard to get licensed since no one has done it. IE it needs to be crash tested before they let you use it on the streets (correct me if i'm wrong)

No you don't realise because you're still talking about these few points.

$32,000 is ridiculous.........an imported silvia to the UK is $15000 (note S15 is only available on grey import to the UK it was never sold here)

will..there's tons of car you can get in UK but not in the US, and in order to import a car to US that is right hand drive is extream hard. as of now only right hand legal are the Skyline and prelude. I would love to get a FTO, Evo VI, or any other japanese. We are not as lucky as you. So for S15 Silvia Spec R it will cost $32,000.

THis just pisses me off. I wonder if it constitutional for the govt to require that it be crash tested? If we want to drive an unsafe car shouldnt it be our right? Kinda like seatbelts. And kit cars dont need to be crash tested if i am not mistaken. Id love to see this go ot the supreme court

Is there any way to sneak it in without registering it? Because if you got it in you could do the old vin swap on a crappy '96 240. It would be one pimp 240 if you ask me.. hehe

Hey, I have an S13 Silvia I'll sell you guys. How much you got?

#1 J Spec Silvias do not have a vin as you know it. In fact, there isn't a number on the dash anywhere.

#2 $32K for an S15 is a waste of your money. Go buy a used M3 and get a better car in every aspect.

#3 A "strawberry face" is nice for the front end. What about the back? The tail lights won't swap in, your looking at a complete quarter swap of sheet metal to have a FAKE Silvia.

#4 $32K for an S15 is a waste of your money. Go buy a used M3 and get a better car in every aspect.

#5 $32K for an S15 is a waste of your money. Go buy a used M3 and get a better car in every aspect.

#6 Oh yeah, did I mention: $32K for an S15 is a waste of your money. Go buy a used M3 and get a better car in every aspect.

9ball's Silvia is nice. He paid $700 for his but he'll take $20K plus S&H. Sounds like a deal huh.

It was actually 84,000 yen, but the yen rate was better then. Anyhow, right hand drive doesn't have anything to do with the import procedure. Actually, the glass is the biggest problem.

i am in the service. I got up with tmo and they told me that they would ship my car to my house for nothing, but then again i have had my car for over a year and i have been here long enugh for the car to not be over my weight. bu tthe glass is the biggest thing, what eles do they look for dose any one know

Okinawa, how fun. Glass is a big factor, so is emmisions. TMO will ship your car just like they're shipping my bikes. Your biggest issue will be with registering the car in the states to drive on the road and then the parts issues. Pep Boys doesn't cater to Silvias, neither does the N American Nissan branch. Talk to your legal office about what forms will be needed to get the car through customs. It's not unheard of for customs to destroy a car on the spot if the paperwork isn't correct. TMO will ship the car to your port of call, it's up to you to get it further than that unless otherwise specified in your TMO agreement.

Yes its possible to import any Japanese car into the US, it just depends on how much you want to spend in the conversion. Now for you Canadian residents, if the car is 15 years old or older (to the month) you can import a car into Canada and aside from simply adding daytime running lights, it shouldn't cost too much. If interested check out <http://www.importconcern.ca/>;
How about a 1989 Skyline GT-R for $11,335 US

Now for the USA its much more complicated, because the US Government does not want the Japanese non-export cars in the USA. Now depending on who/what you believe the, if the car is older than 25 years you won't have have to worry about the EPA but you may need to worry about the NHTSB's requirements.

The Automotive Imports Facts Manual (EPA)
<http://www.epa.gov/otaq/imports/factmtop.htm>;

This part is the key if importing a car from Japan to Canada to USA:
"Contact the manufacturer of the vehicle to request a letter, having them state if the vehicle complies with all applicable U.S. Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS). The letter from the manufacturer must identify your vehicle by the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). READ THE LETTER CAREFULLY."

VEHICLE IMPORTATION GUIDELINES (importing from Canada)
<http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/VIG_Canada07032.html>;

And no I haven't imported a car to the States but am considering it. And if I could find out from Nissan if any of their non-export cars from the 1980's and 1990's comply with the FMVSS that would really help. Then the only issue is EPA emissions.

Hello, I have imported some Nissan Silvia K's to Canada, and I currently have one here for sale. It is a turbo, and in MINT condition. I also have 2 Nissan fairlady 300zx Twin turbo's for sale. To check these out, visit my website at
www.j-spec.org or www.j-spec.japanese.at or email me at [email protected]