Motorex Isn't alone!!

Well right now the details are pretty sketchy, but there is a company called Skyline Moters who seems to be selling GTRs :D From what I can gather they sell stock, 400awhp, 700hp and 1000hp R33s. Oh yea, and these are with LHD conversions. Now for all I know they could be buying the complienced R33s from Motorex and selling um. I have no idea how much they cost or anything as I couldn't find their website.

If anyone knows anything else about these guys, lemme know.

YOU DICK!!!!! In my best Jeff Spicolli(sp)

Get my hopes up, and BAM, Nothin.

Thanks for all that detailed information:p

Thanks for the info!

Has anyone thought of just importing a GTR through J-garage or one of the many Japanese exporters (you can get a low mileage 1999 or 2000 R34 V-Spec for $40K) and taking it to any authorized conversion center in the US to get the conversion done (I have heard that the conversion work costs $6,000)?

This seems straightforward enough?

The crash testing which was done by MotoRex and subsequent government approvals - VGC 17) relate to a specific model/type of vehicle, and as long as you convert a vehicle like it to EPA and DOT standards you should be able to register it in the US.

There is no way anyone would be required by the DOT to crash test the same type of vehicle again. Once it has been done it is done and gets on the govt. approved list. The rest is a relatively simple EPA and DOT process.

EPA conversion work should only be O2 sensors, exhaust and ECU (for post-96 vehicles) - please correct me if I missed somethings.

DOT stuff is only turn signals airbag labels, speedometer/odometer and maybe bumper reiforcements - please correct me if I missed something.

How much can all this cost????? $5K, 7K, even 10K?? For that kind of money you can do a hell of a lot of skyline modifying!!!!!!!:rolleyes:

How many authorized conversion centers have you called, that will touch a Skyline. 1 MotoRex, thats it. You are right, one would think that the crash results should be basically public record, but apparently its not. If you think about the volume of their sales, it aint a lot. So they have to jack up the prices a little more, its basic economics. Sean has done something that no one had the balls to do, and I really do admire the guy. I personally have not tryed to read all the legal stuff to start importing Skylines, so I am not about to surmise what ifs. If there is another company great, no more monopoly. If not, pay the price of MotoRexs blood sweat and tears to get one of the baddest cars on the planet on to American soil. IMHO

Your points are well taken SkylineUSA, and I do admire companies like MotoRex that do actually follow through and do what everyone has obviously been talking about doing for many years.

The issues to me are the following:

- When the R35 is available in the US (maybe 12 months) the MotoRex skylines will most likely drop in value by 50% (the R35's will also come will a full multi-year warranty from Nissan).

- The following alternatives can be purchased for about the same money as a stock R34:
1) 1995 or 1996 Ferrari F355
2) 2002 Lotus Esprit V8
3) 1995 Ferrari 348 Spider
4) 2002 Dodge Viper
5) 2003 BMW M5
6) 2003 Maserati Spider
7) 2003 MB SL500

So to sum it up; I love the Skylines and think that they provide a combination of features that are second to none, but to make them truely amazing one must spend an additional $15K-20K (to get 700HP).

Looking at the points I made above, I would be greatful if someone could explain why the R34 is a better purchase.

Thanks.

:bloated:

I take it you have driven a GTR? Nice :)

The only problem with the cars you mentioned is the fact that they can be purchased without an RI. I really do not see Sean dropping his prices just because you can buy a R35. You surely are not going to tell me that the R35 even can hold a candle to any of the GTR that came before it, They are totally different animals.

I can buy a GTR for about 25k here were I live, in the states your looking at 50k for one. Now do you really think that 50k GTR is going to drop in half, considering that it will cost you out of pocket to get your GTR converted over to US specs to the tune of 26k for a 96-01. I really do not see the prices dropping at all, unless the there is another company that becomes an RI. I will tell you this, they are not making anymore R33s or R34s, and the market is getting thinner, what happens when a comodity dwendals, the price goes up. Even if another RI starts a bussiness, the prices will not fall drastically, it would be economic suicide.

BlueBandino: Let me preface this by saying that I see from your posts your not every other racer who has no idea who it takes to get a GTR in the US and asks, "how do I import a GTR 34 V-specII into the US" I've answered way to many of those ;)

Any how, the only break in site for getting a Skyline any other way besides MotoRex is that they already have a VCP number, VCP 17 covers GTSts, GTRs, and V-specs. Oh yea and M-specNUrs. Other then that, as far as I know, Skyline Moters and Motorex are the only (street legal) options. The problem is that the crash test info is information that is detrimental to the moneymaking power of Motorex, therefor it is a trade secret. DOT compliencing envolves, like you said, bumpers, mirrors, dash, Type 2 restraints. As far as EPA goes, its more then O2 sensors, let me refer you to a thread I dug up some info in a long while ago. I hope it's helpfull. Ok nevermind... The thread seems to have dissapeared :( If I find it later I'll link it.

Now you can ask Customs to let you import one for show, but you can only drive it 2,500 miles a year and thats no good... I'd drive it that much in the first month :D So all in all Motorex is still your best bet, I say this becaouse I don't know much about this Skyline Motors place.

Ok... I just found some more, http://www.skylineracing.com/ is going to be their future home page, you can contact them that way or (714) 558 -7655 or [email protected] . They are Skyline Motors LLC in Santa Ana.

Here you all go, start here and read down.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?postid=229031#post229031

Thanks for the info. I will read through it.

Do you think that MotoRex would give AF members a discount if we ordered 5 or 10 R34 GTR Skylines? We should be able to get together a group here that would be interested if the price is right.

Just my 2 cents.

To sum it up, I do understand that MotoRex has to recoup its investment in the approval/crash testing process, but it is important to understand what alternatives are out there in the market. Moreover, MotoRex might be able to recoup its investment quicker if it lowered its prices and thereby increased its sales volume.

I personally love the R34 GTR and am willing to pay MotorRex, but i am doing this knowing that I am getting a car that costs half in Japan, two-thirds in Europe, and that I could get a 1995 or 1996 Ferrari F355 TB for the same money.

Thanks everyone for your input.

:smoka:

Yes, you could.

But at least the GTR is a reliable car. :D

I make good money, but there is no way in hell I could afford a R34. You apperantly make a considerable more amount than I. Most of the guys on here are dreamers(NO offense guys) about owning a GTR one day, some just might, but the chances are that they will not, R34s are out of my league, and most everyone on here.

Originally posted by SkylineUSA
I make good money, but there is no way in hell I could afford a R34. You apperantly make a considerable more amount than I. Most of the guys on here are dreamers(NO offense guys) about owning a GTR one day, some just might, but the chances are that they will not, R34s are out of my league, and most everyone on here.

NOOOOO!!!!!!


Seriously though, don't be so harsh. Most people buy a $30,000 car sometime in their lives, and an R32 can be had for that.

Actually I was refering to the R33, and R34. Your right an R32 is in range.

In Japan a 1999 R34 can be had for about $30k. This is the problem buying in the US. Moreover, in 2006 a 2 year-old R35 will also be about $35K.

Paying $95,000 now for a car that costs $50,000 in Japan means that you are getting less car for your money compared to a car than can be purchased locally through regular dealers.

Perfromance-wise and value-for-money-wise how would one compare a 2003 Z06 Vette with 405HP for $50K to a 2001 R34 GTR at $95,000?

Or a 500hp, Mustang for $15k:D

Originally posted by SkylineUSA
Or a 500hp, Mustang for $15k:D

But would you feel comfortable driving your $15k 500hp mustang in the rain and snow :rolleyes: ?? :D

Sorry, just had to bring the all powerfull ATTESSA into the picture ;)

I dont post in these forums much because it depresses me that there are so many people driving skylines around. But anyways i wanted to add my two cents:

Going back to the price drop issue, i would think that motorex would have to drop prices, no? Maybe not 50 % but still...

The demand for the 32,33,34's are high but the cost is too expensive for most consumers. so, when the 35 gtr comes out, people that want a "skyline" will go buy them... wouldnt that mean motorex could lose potential customers, therefore they would drop prices?

Sorry if that doesn't make sense...

Originally posted by GT-R Enthusiast

The demand for the 32,33,34's are high but the cost is too expensive for most consumers. so, when the 35 gtr comes out, people that want a "skyline" will go buy them... wouldnt that mean motorex could lose potential customers, therefore they would drop prices?



Well I look at it this way, people who want an R34, or R33, 32 whatever won't go out and buy the 04 GTR. They will still want an Rb26, intelligent AWD, rock solid drive train ect. ect. ect.

Even if 25% of them did settle for the upcomming GTR, there would still be plenty of a demand for the true Skylines. I think the only way motorex is going to drop their prices is if they recoupe their investment, or if several RIs come into the game undercutting them by 10-20k.

I think the only equitable solution here is to move to Japan! I'll be there in a few months. I can't wait!


BlueDandino,

I believe the reason that Motorex is the only RI is that there is only a small market for GT-Rs in the states, at the price they must charge. Anyone else entering that market will only get a share of the market. The price for a GT-R is sort of fixed, because a new RI would have to come up with their own methodolgy of meeting crash test specs, since MOTOREX's methodology is propietary. Then they would have to crash test the cars and such and incur the same costs as MOTOREX.

The thing that really p-ss-s me off is that I could go out and build a Shelby Cobra replica kit car, with no crash testing or emissions and spend a lot less. These kits are far more primitive and less safe than a stock Japanese spec Skyline, but still we can't bring one over. I call BS!

Just venting again!

Peace,

Al

Yup HellBent,

You are right, there is no logic in a kit car being legal and a GTR stock from Japan being unsafe. Just doesn't make sense to me. It is all politics and bureaucracy.

One way to bring the Skyline in without the RI being involved, is to have someone replace the current engine with another engine from a car that is currently sold in the US. This is what Sun International does with the Lotus Elise and the cars a perfectly legal without any RI involvement.

The problem here is that the engine is the core of the appeal of the GTR.

Oh well, who knows what must be done to own a Skyline for a price that reflects the global value of the car.

:o

Yaeh,

I am going to ship my GTR over with a GEO Metro engine in it, and crate the engine up. When the car gets trough DOT, EPA, National Highway stuff in goes the RB26DETT, or a stroked 351W.....:finger: the Gov't....:D

Gonthrax,

When I get done with all my mods, I will have no problems driving my stang in any road conditions. I have already added the coil overs, and C/C plates and that has drastically changed the cars driving habits.:p

I think the problem is more than the engine. From what I understand the Skyline doesn't meet US crash standards such as door beams, 5 mph bumpers, soft dash, knee impact standards, etc... All this is very costly. Since MOTOREX will probably not share their methodology of solving these issue, any new RI would have to start from scratch and crash test a car all over again. Ditto for emissions. What a farce!

You can still drive around a newer car with blown valves and be a gross polluter, yet a new skyline that barely misses US standards is no good. Not to mention how dirty diesels are, and they don't even get tested! Go figure!

My solution is for the government to stop wasting our tax dollars on these stupid restrictions, and just allow importation of any foriegn car that isn't grossly unsafe. If the car has a clean record of performance in Japan, then it should be good to go here. Since it isn't factory backed and in compliance with US standards slap a luxury tax on it and import tarriffs and call it even. This way you limit the numbers but don't make the car unattainable.

Now all you need to do is elect "HellBent" for president!

Later,

Al

Nice way of looking at things :p

What Sun International does with the Elise is replace the engine, once this is done the car can be classified as a kit car, and does not have to meet any DOT or EPA requirements. That is what I understand.

It may be worth contacting Sun International and finding out if they can do an engine swap and get the GTR classified as a kit car? hmmm, interesting idea :D

Sun International:
[email protected] or [email protected]
www.sunspeed.com
Manhattan Beach, California, USA
Fax (310) 546-1343

Originally posted by Gonthrax
From what I can gather they sell stock, 400awhp, 700hp and 1000hp R33s. Oh yea, and these are with LHD conversions.


Where do you gather this from?

I haven't talked withe Sun International about cnverting an R34, but I have discussed the conversion of various versions of the Lotus Elise, which in its current form is not street legal in the US. After the Sun International conversion the Elise is street legal and can be registered as a kit car, presumably because it has a non-stock engine (and maybe some other minor modifications).

I was thinking that similar treatment can be performed on a GTR to make it street legal.

It is probably worth talking with Sun International, as they have a lot of experience legalizing non-street legal cars. Their approach has been to modify the cars to bring them to a point that they are considered kit cars, and can then be registered.

Just a thought. ;)

If I do not bring a GTR back, I will bring an Elise back. I will strip it down, sale the engine and rebuild it myself when I get back. Its not the fact that the its a non stock engine, its the fact that the engine that install has already meets epa standards at least that is what I have read, and heard.

If you were goin to spend 80g's why would you buy a gtr?
You haven't driven enough cars! Buy a 15g supra or rx7 and stick 20g's into it and you would have a realiable good looking rice rocket that would blow the doors off any car you would encounter including a gtr.
If I was thinking of spending 80g's I would buy two or three cars, but if I had to stick to one fun car, I would get a new m3 cabrio or slk32 and put 20 grand into it.:smoker2:

Originally posted by F=ma



Where do you gather this from?

Speed Channel, they said exactialy what you quoted in your last post, and MotoRex advertises their phone number for LHD conversion on their website.

Supras are very nice. They have traction problems, or is that a myth?

Ok....i know this is sacrilege but what about a Supra 2jZGTE in the GT-R.

I know what you are thinking....but look at it like this....

Easily supported and modifiable.
You get the body you want (R34).
The 2JZ holds more power on the stock block (I hate to say it but true).
Same power potential.

Main issue would be having the AWD ATTESA system. Get the car for cheap in Japan and do the conversion. Keep the RB26DETT as a "spare" engine. Potentially cheaper than Motorex.

What do you all think?

" The 2JZ holds more power on the stock block" Wow, I though that was a debatable subject. You learn something new every day.

I am not sure if you can haul a complete car through customs like that. They are not that dumb, yes I know they are the Gov't, but even those people have half a brain. We all know they cant think for themselves. Its like they are zombies, never see them on any boards.:)

I am going by what i have seen in a thread on Supraforums between Sean at Motorex and guys there at supraforums. Modifications....dyno numbers.


I am sure there are freaks in every bunch and i am NOT biased toward the Supra. I would rather have a RB26DETT in my Skyline but beggars can't be choosers.

Ya know?

Any rwd car with over 350hp will have "traction problems" if you know how to drive traction is not a problem, it is just a law of physics.;)

Hey kid,

Well said, I think you brough a tear to my eye.:cool:

I am actually giving you a complment, if you couldn't tell. Man I need to learn some tact.:D

Actually one can bring in a used 1999 R34 from Japan and have it go through the modification process (i.e. engine swap). If you guys are interested in this direction, I would contact Sun International. Customs knows that the car is not street legal (this is kind of like bringing it in for track use). Bring it in for track use and then send it over to Sun International for the engine swap. It is actually pretty amazing no one has done this yet (Sun International has already converted many cars from Renault, Peugeot, Cosworth and Lotus).

The Lotus Elise is in a similar situation - actually worse than the Skyline, as the Elise does not and cannot conform to US crash test standards. I see no reason why Sun International can't modify an R34 that one buys for cheap over in Japan (an alternate engine will have to be used).

First of all why the hell would you want to convert a skyline to LHD? Sencond there are so many little things to convert one it costs motorex 7-10 thousand just to legalize it. Then another 8-10K for profit. So theres you margin if another RI come into play.

BTW where is this link to do a conversion. I wanna know how there magically have the steering colum running though the Turbos?! Cause if you look thats exactly where it would have to go. So are they make custom mainfolds that bend more then an girl at the circus? I dont think so...

Imo its a stupid idea anyway.

I am pretty sure they do not run the steering linkage through the firewall on the lefthand conversion, but use a system of U-joints under the dash and use the original linkage on the right side, or at leasat that would be the way I would do it.

Why would I pay Sun Internation for a simple engine swap? I think it goes a little deeper than just swapping out the engine on a GTR and calling it a Kit car. I will have my attorney look into it.:)

I have some bad news! I have been trying to import two older 90-92 bmw's for some time now, 2 years, and it's no easy task.
YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO IMPORT AN R34, FOR THE STREET, WITHOUT
GOING THROUGH MOTOREX.
-They don't do lhd conversions because of dash, rack, and turbo's, and the right hand drive part of a skyline is not why they are hard to import.
-They don't meet epa, and dot.
-They must be modified by a registered importer.
-Rule of thumb, $7,500 for modification on pre obd2 (95 and older), and $15,000 for obd2 (96 and newer).
-why the hell would you do an engine swap on any of the cars you guy's are talking about, that is the heart of the car! The engine is why people buy the skyline, the rest of the car is nothing special!
-if you have a dealer plate or own a dealership you can drive whatever you want, there is a dealership in Bellevue WA, Park Place LTD. they have an elise WITH THE STOCK ENGINE and even better they have on of the coolest cars ever made, the LOTUS 340R WITH NO MODIFICATION (This car really kicks ass, look it up if you don't know what it is.) they drive these cars all over the Seattle area.
-IF I EVER SEE SOMEONE WITH ANY OF THESE CARS, THAT DON'T HAVE A SAME MAKE ENGINE IN THEM, I WILL SLAP THE OWNER UPSIDE THE HEAD!!!!!!

Its an "AIR PUMP" nothing more, nothing less. :D

Like I said, it goes a little deeper than just swapping out the engines.

of course the the R34 does not have to be converted to LHD, and you put it well that an OBDII car costs $15,000 to modify. But the problem is that when an R34 sells for $50K in Japan the dealer is making $5K is profit so the dealer cost is $45K.

Now, the $15,000 to modify plus the $50,000 for the 2002 R34 should mean that I need to pay $65,000 for the priviledge of driving the R34 GTR in the US (that is a $15K premium over what the Japanese pay). To me that $15,000 extra is worth it.

The problem is, why do I have to pay $95,000 which is a $45,000 premium?

With all due respect to the R34 GTR, if it were worth $95K, it would cost $95K in Japan. No one in their right mind would pay $95K in Japan. Someone in Japan would most likely prefer on of the following fine cars instead:

- 1996 Ferrari F355 TB
- 2002 Lotus Esprit V8 25th Anniversary Edition
- 2003 Dodge Viper
- 1997 Porsche 911 Twin Turbo S
- Acura NSX
etc.

Thats the only point I am trying to make. If someone has lots of money and really wants the R34 GTR, then by all means I think that paying $95,000 makes sense - this is a great unique car and is rare in the US.
Just that in the US there are objectively better values for your $95K (plus the alternatives will also hold their value better, especially once the R34 hits the streets).

I love the R34 and just wish that there was a less expensive way of getting one, even if it means swapping the engine (the Elise is actually a better car with the Honda S2000 engine, compared to the weak stock Rover engine - so Sun International is actually doing a good thing in addition to making the car street legal).

Just my 2 cents. :)

Originally posted by 6kid
I have some bad news! I have been trying to import two older 90-92 bmw's for some time now, 2 years, and it's no easy task.
YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO IMPORT AN R34, FOR THE STREET, WITHOUT
GOING THROUGH MOTOREX.
-They don't do lhd conversions because of dash, rack, and turbo's, and the right hand drive part of a skyline is not why they are hard to import.
-They don't meet epa, and dot.
-They must be modified by a registered importer.
-Rule of thumb, $7,500 for modification on pre obd2 (95 and older), and $15,000 for obd2 (96 and newer).
-why the hell would you do an engine swap on any of the cars you guy's are talking about, that is the heart of the car! The engine is why people buy the skyline, the rest of the car is nothing special!
-if you have a dealer plate or own a dealership you can drive whatever you want, there is a dealership in Bellevue WA, Park Place LTD. they have an elise WITH THE STOCK ENGINE and even better they have on of the coolest cars ever made, the LOTUS 340R WITH NO MODIFICATION (This car really kicks ass, look it up if you don't know what it is.) they drive these cars all over the Seattle area.
-IF I EVER SEE SOMEONE WITH ANY OF THESE CARS, THAT DON'T HAVE A SAME MAKE ENGINE IN THEM, I WILL SLAP THE OWNER UPSIDE THE HEAD!!!!!!

Thank you kid, you have said what I have been trying to tell all the people who come in here with "A way to import a GTR w/o Motorex" for ever now. Now I used to be one of those people, but after I read way to many pages of CFR I figured out that one could not do it for any small sum of money :(

Originally posted by BlueDandino
Now, the $15,000 to modify plus the $50,000 for the 2002 R34 should mean that I need to pay $65,000 for the priviledge of driving the R34 GTR in the US (that is a $15K premium over what the Japanese pay). To me that $15,000 extra is worth it.

The problem is, why do I have to pay $95,000 which is a $45,000 premium?



Where do you get $15k to modify from?

Motorex charges $25k for R34's: http://motorex.net/conversion.html

And you're not gonna get anyone else besides Motorex to do that work for you.

In addition to the cost of the Skyline itself, and the Motorex conversion cost, you'll also want to factor in Shipping, US Customs 2.5% Duty Fee, Lading and Unlading fees as well. I'd say around $5k more.

In any case, I asked this question about a month ago, on another forum. I got a pretty good response. You should check it out.

http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB4&Number=322069&page=1&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1


(the Elise is actually a better car with the Honda S2000 engine, compared to the weak stock Rover engine - so Sun International is actually doing a good thing in addition to making the car street legal)

Its actually a B18C5... An Integra Type-R engine. I imagine that fitting a FF in a MR chassis would be easier than a FR in an MR chassis. But hey, anything's possible, they've fit an Audi RS4 engine in there before.

Originally posted by BlueDandino
Bring it in for track use and then send it over to Sun International for the
engine swap. It is actually pretty amazing no one has done this yet (Sun
International has already converted many cars from Renault, Peugeot, Cosworth
and Lotus).

Not a possibility. I'm almost 100% sure that once a car has been given a title
as a race-only vehicle, then it cannot later be changed to street drivable
vehicle.

Lets suppose you got a Silvia right now, and registered it as a race-only car.
Then in 2004 they became legalized. You would not be able to drive your silvia
on the streets, nor be able to ever be rid of the race-only title that you
chose to import it under 2 years prior.

And anyways, registering something as a kit car doesn't exactly make it a
street driver. You have very low mileage limits per year. Something on the
order of 2,500-5,000 or so. Who the hell wants to spend some $50,000 on a car
and drive it twice a month? An old co-worker of mine had a 427 Cobra kit car,
he drove to work maybe once a month to show it off.

So sure you could do that, but it kind of defeats the point since you'd want to
actually want to drive the Skyline more than once in a blue moon.

i dont think that these guys selling the skylines are doing it legally cuz they would have to go to court w/ motorex and get permission from them and pay them money but who does things legally ne more

So why don't people get a 34 from J-garage for 40k, get Motorex to import it for 25k?

So total of 65k plus other stuff compared to 95.5k plus other stuff.

Wouldn't this be the preferred method? I think this is what i would do if i had that kind of money.. heh... a few years to go...

gotta go to class
G

Originally posted by 6kid
-why the hell would you do an engine swap on any of the cars you guy's are talking about, that is the heart of the car! The engine is why people buy the skyline, the rest of the car is nothing special!

Oh how wrong you are. You obviously don't have any experience with the GT-R's. Handling is the number one thing about GT-R, engine is nothing special compared to the rest of the car.

I totally agree with you sami.

http://www.evolutionimports.net/images/usedcars/5015e82033fe8076a6a002a88ad45c52
I don't know what these people are sell but, if i walks like a duck.
http://www.evolutionimports.net/usedcars.php:frog:

Originally posted by granman
http://www.evolutionimports.net/images/usedcars/5015e82033fe8076a6a002a88ad45c52
I don't know what these people are sell but, if i walks like a duck.
http://www.evolutionimports.net/usedcars.php:frog:

Thats pretty interesting.

Do they have GTRs on that site often?

Not street legal, but still 21k, not bad...

The front diff would not work with a 2JZ in there...

Dont believe everything you read.

idynastyrx7 your post was deleted because of double posting the same question. Not only that but your other one is a new thread.