why can't we import?

Guys, I am seriously mad.:mad: Why can't we import cars here? I have been trying to find a way to get a Silvia here for months with no luck. I know that it is possible because i have personally talked to people who have them. Motorex told me it was because of safety regulations and lack of crash testing on rhd cars. It seems to me like if they are safe enough to drive anywhere else in the world, they should be safe enough for us here in the States. Maybe there are some things here that I don't understand, but to me, this is nothing but a bunch of political legal crap. Military people who are overseas can buy these cars and the government ships them over here for free, but civilians either have to pay huge bucks, if they can find "the right people" to bring the car over and these people seem to be virtually nonexistent, or just wish for a sweet Japanese car while driving the American, turd-slow version. I don't want to be non-patriotic or anything, especially with all this crazy terrorist stuff going on. I love America just as much as anybody else here does, but something needs to be done about this. You can take these cars anywhere else in the world except the US and Canada (and I'm not even too sure about Canada). If there are any legal professionals out there, let's get together and change this.

kidracer9

Your best place to start talking to people about importing cars into the US is the DOT & US Customs. They are the ones that control everything.
Jon

For real, lets get the LARGEST PETITION going or something to ease up on this thing! I don't pay taxes to be told what I can and cannot drive in my own F*cking country! It's not like you would start seeing Skylines all the time. No one over here even knows what a Skyline is...But they soon will!

Peace
GTR-33

GTR-33, that's what I'm talkin bout, brother. We are supposed to be the ones who make the laws here. None of my history classes have said anything about people voting a law in that says we can't import cars because they have the wrong kind of bumper, so I don't know where this rule came from. If anybody's going to change this, it's got to be us.

If you start bringing these type or cars like ,,, Silvia, The Cedric,, Skyline, Toyota Aristo, some of the Land Cruisers and the REAL Subaru Impretza. At a right rate Japanese car sales in the US is gona go UP UP UP ,, it is actuly going up every year in the states, without bringing these special if you so call them cars...

In America they dont want people buying Jap cars, they want people to buy their cars, these lack of crash tests is actuly bullshite to me because I dont see how some of the american cars actuly pass there crash tests ,, and some of them even fail but they are still sold. emissions if you ask me,,, I dont like it,,, my main car that I used to drive in the states and going to ship back home ,, is a Lexus GS400, this car has 3 Catalic converters I think that is kinda pushing it really. :(

but it is all a financial point of view why do I import something that is going to affect my product?

Guy you all have to do something there in the states ,,, YOUR suppose to be the land of the free ,,, Do what you want and be want you want ,,, isnt that what they teach you?? isnt that why you became your own counrty to do as you want ?? SO START importing what you want.

Here's what I've figured out. After doing tons of research on importation laws and talking to people all over the US, I now understand why we have all the rules and what not that make it so difficult to import a car. It's mostly to protect the American economy and what not. Most of the cars sold in the US are either made by companies that are based in America (Ford, Chevy, etc), or are made in American factories owned by companies from outside the US(Honda, Mitsubishi, etc). If it was easy (cheap) to import any car from anywhere in the world, a lot of people would be doing it. Then American businesses would go under, resulting in a loss of lots of jobs, resulting in lots of other bad stuff. I will agree that it's mostly political, but now that I understand why, I think it's for a good reason.

America as a country treats it's constitution as sacred. Central to the constitution is it's citizen's fundamental liberties. To own property is a citizen's fundamental liberty. But America also has to balance that liberty with it's economic progress because without economic progress fundamental liberties are not going to be worth shite! Hence protectionism. Every country has it including mine.
But America has sometime gone overboard with protectionism. On one hand they are the one who preach globalisation and on the other they pratice protectionism in a very sophisticated way. No outright banning of foreign goods but they make it damn difficult for the goods to be imported. It's the same over here. But over here the it is less sophisticated though no less effective. Impose one helluva TAX on certain foreign goods, like cars, to discourage import. That's why Skylines, Ferraris et al are so expensive here. 200% tax! But if you want it, pay for it and that is what I had done.
But in America it is worse because you might not be able to get it even if you are willing to pay for it. I tee ya....one of these days, a really rich guy is gonna sue the American govt. for being unconstitutional! That will be THE day!

Hey, R33, did you import your Skyline yourself? You also mean to tell us that your friends in the Modenas and Porsches are paying over US$400K?? DAMN!!!!

No, I bought the GTR from a guy who imported it from Japan. You have to have a permit to import cars here and only some people are given that permit. they then sell allow you to use this permit to import for a fee of about US10K! Bloody leeches!
Yes, the Modena costs 1.6million here - about US400K!

First of all the Military does not ship the vehicle for free to the US, We have to sub-contact and pay ourselves to have the vehicle shipped into the US, and pay all DOT and Customs fees like the average Joe citazin.

Why may I ask are you looking to import a Silvia? The S-13, and S-14 chasis were available to the US and are already legal. The main difference between a Silvia is the badging, the drivetrain and the Steering wheel placement. I cannot see paying the exhorbinant amount of money to import a RHD to the US when there is a comperable model already street legal that only requires the engine swap. I may be mistaken by your post and you are talking about the S-15 which although is a great car is not as good as its predecessors, the 6 speed is prone to breakage and the VVT (variable cam timing) is a nightmare to deal with.

TC

That's a really good question, Camel. I guess I just thought it would be the ultimate cool to have a right hand drive car, and I think the S15's look awesome. I know that a 240 conversion can be done for a lot less money, but to me, it was just a fake Silvia. I have changed the way I look at that a little, though. Iv'e just decided that until I get really rich, I'll just stick with what I can get in the States. Thanks for the info on the military thing. I thought military got free shipping.

SO Its IMPOSSIBLE TO IMPORT A Silvia, why not jus get the US 240sx and get a JDM engine swap....BCUZ IS STILL NOT STREET LEGAL, and U NOT gonna pass the damn emissions. So U live in US and u want ur car to b fast just like the jspec's, the only way to keep legal is to register as race car, n there is limit of mileages u can have every year. HOW MANY OF u guyz Want to do dat??? I have a 98 IMprezza RS and have been wantin to do a WRX -STi engine so so long, but I have gotten many ppl tellin me dat is ILLEGAL and THERE IS NO WAY Emissions would pass........WHAT CAN I DO??? I WANT MY CAR TO BE ON THE STREET, not only limited in damn racing tracks!!!

mayb sumone can tell me where to go or who is responsible of all this..

Well, Mix Egg, here in the States, we have laws that control emissions and safety standards on new cars. These laws help to keep auto manufacturers in check. But, in most places those laws are only enforced on new cars. It's kind of like once you drive the car out of the dealership, it's yours and you can do all kinds of stuff to it. California laws are pretty strict as far as modifications and what not, but from what I've seen, anywhere else in the US you drive all kinds of illegal stuff on the street. I live in one of the southern states where society isn't as progressive as in other places, and here, probably at least 50% of the vehicles on the road wouldn't pass emissions. Most of the performance parts you can buy aren't emissions approved, but, as far as I know, nobody regulates that part of the auto industry. You could drive a full out race car on the road as long as it has working headlights, taillights, blinkers, horn, and wipers. I know it sounds kind of crazy, but that's the way it is. I could do pretty much anything to a car as long as it's a car I can get in the US. I hope this helps to give you an idea of what it is like in the US. The way I have explained it may not be very clear, but I haven't slept much the last 3 or 4 days, so my brain's a little foggy. So, Mix Egg, if I can explain further, or if anyone else in the US feels I've presented a misrepresentation here, please let me know what you think.

kidracer9

well....I have heard many say that in Ca is alot harder compare to other states, I live in Virginia...and I don't think here is as hard as Ca. This is my thought now: Okay, the engine itself is not legal and I will have no problem getting it the shop. The only thing I really have to worry about it the emissions, they only check oxygen sensor and the amount of carbonminoxide(correct me if I'm mistaken) in Va, this is the hard part, does anyone know if I can maybe get a different oxygen sensor or sumthing and also other parts to it? I really want to make this work!!!

NOT GONNA GIVE UP!!

3 Big reasions
1. the USA requires dual airbags
2.US requires 5mph bumper's(everywhere else its 3mph)
3.the USA has very tight import laws

Dual airbags is not a mandatory thing here in the USA

Originally posted by GTR-33
Dual airbags is not a mandatory thing here in the USA

1996 and up it is.

1989 and up - passive restraint drivers side

1994 and up - drivers side and passenger side restraint

1996 and up dual airbags are a requirement on passenger cars.

49 CFR Part 571.208 or more specifically within the section S4.1.4.2 and S4.1.5.

Any more questions - ask someone that actually knows and can quote the Code of Federal Regulations

Ok, mby I'm just reading this wrong but, why does S4.1.4.2 not apply to convertables? And what exactialy is meant by forward-facing rear outboard designated seating position? :( Back seats?
Also, what is a Type 2 seat belt assembly? Blah, ok... Its to early for me to be reading Code of Regs:D

Hi ppls, I'm new, and I am looking into getting a Skyline, but I still don't understand these regulations...Is there ANY way you could bring the car over and not have all these problems. Also what do they do to the car if you were to import it legally? Do they tone down the engine? Just wondering these things, I'm a new driver after all, and I really want to get a used skyline. Thanks in advance..:sun:

Simple really. You pay us and we do all the work. We have already done the crash testing - we have already done the emissions certification.

The only thing you have to worry about is what color you want and what you are going to do with it...

how mcuh would it cost total to import a r33 gtr with all the bonds, tariff, conversions, and import fees ? say the price of the car is 10K in japan....
if you were to import and do all the nessary certificaion. how much would it be ?....thx

bbb

We charge $17,000 on R33's . You still need to pay shipping ,customs clearance , bond , etc. That is based on the value of the car

http://www.motorex.net/faq.html#11

10,000 - $250 on the tarrif.$1800 on the bond. $200 bond processing fees. About $1000 on shipping. $350 on customs clearance. $45 messenger service , $100 towing charges. Some other incidentials.

17K for an R33 and 25K for an R34? You must be on crack... Dual airbags is not mandatory on EVERY SINGLE CAR. Above 96, yes. I read the NHTSA regulations as well as the EPA regulations. If I read the RI facts correctly, YOU (motorex) pay all the bonding and tarrifs. Still 17K is not that bad compared to the cars that you have on hand. 50-60K for an R33. Holy greed. I can't wait to be the second Skyline RI. Even sweeter since the Silvia and the Skyline have both been canned for the next 5 years. NO US bound GTR...

Originally posted by GTR-33
17K for an R33 and 25K for an R34? You must be on crack... , yes. I read the NHTSA regulations as well as the EPA regulations. If I read the RI facts correctly, YOU (motorex) pay all the bonding and tarrifs. Still 17K is not that bad compared to the cars that you have on hand. 50-60K for an R33. Holy greed. I can't wait to be the second Skyline RI. Even sweeter since the Silvia and the Skyline have both been canned for the next 5 years. NO US bound GTR...

Good luck becoming an RI . I can tell how professional of a person you are by your signature.

Its not greed. Its called business. Obviously since you are just a kid - you have no idea what it takes to run a business.

How long have you been in business ? How long have you been in the car business? What kind of contacts do you have in the car business ? What is your budget for marketing and advertising ? How many editors of magazines do you know ?


Lets say you get the RI stuff worked out.... what about ICI ? Answer me a question.... how many certified CARB labs in the US ?

Its not impossible to compete with us. It just takes time and money. Something most people dont have. The fact is there is not a lot of money to be made in this business , otherwise a lot of people would be in it...... THINK ABOUT IT............

I have been to your website and it says a R33 1995 through 1998 is from $53,000 to $78,000 (I'm guessing the price varies with the different years, models and the condition of the car itself). Lets say I want A 1996 R33 Vspec, can you give me an idea or the amount which I have to pay, that is including everything, left hanf conversion, shipping, all the taxs and all other mandatory fees. Like I could just write a check to you guys and expect to pick it up in a couple of month.

Thanks

What does my sig on a web site that I rarely go to have anything to do with how I do business? I can tell your level of professionalism just by the why you conduct your self in your posts. You act like an arrogent, prick. I know what it takes. As for your pricing. You shouln't offer people the choice of buying a car that is in stock or buying thier own. You don't seem to have found a good median price, since the cars are not flying out the showroom, you know, the showroom you don't have. Almost every person on this board thinks you overcharge for you cars. More would buy your cars if you charged less for them. Insted of up to 50K over cost (a 100% increase) charge only 10-20K over cost. If you pay that much for your cars, that you need to charge that much, you don't have good contacts yourself. Don't try to tell me that the conversion parts cost 10K either. I would like to know a little about you so called 'marketing dept.' Where are your ads? Do I know magazine editors? Not yet, is it really that hard though? If you have a product as good as a Skyline, it can't be too hard to get into the mags. That kind of goes back to the advertisment of your service. Magazine articles are the only places I have seen anything about Motorex. From what I have seen in the last issue of SCC, you (motorex) are not very good tuners. Who puts a R33 GTR in the USCC with a test pipe installed? I'm not currently in the car business, but everyone has to start somewhere. As I recall your business started as a little known exporter of US automobiles. Who cares how many Carb labs there are. Your little facts that are easily obtained do not impress me one bit. So what do you do at motorex? wash the cars? How about you tell me what you do to cars specifically?

I am an arrogent prick. Everyone that knows me knows this already...so you are not stating anything that controversial. When I am right - and I know my stuff - I know my stuff.

We don't have a showroom. Never have , probably never will. The Skyline sales are still just a fun side thing. We started it with 2 people . Still really only have one person that deals with it full time.

As far as pricing goes. The price is well in line with what a used Acura NSX goes for. Do you think they are overcharging for those cars too? Just because you do not have the income to buy something does not mean that it is overpriced. They don't sell too many new NSX's either - too expensive.

Marketing department . We don't have one. Whats our budget ? Not much. How much does magazine space cost for advertising ? Full page SCC per month $7920 on a 3 month commitment. Full page Super Street $5300. Lets not even get into a big magazine like Motor Trend , Car and Driver , or Road and Track. They are around $25,000 per page per month. For a major manufacturer it makes sense. On a small scale it does not.

As far as being tuners... that is Justins personal car. And as far as the test pipe...not like it was the only one there....

What do I do. Lots of stuff. Do I wash cars -sure. We don't have 100 employees. 2 Skyline guys , 2 Export guys , 2 C-West guys.

What else do I do. I handle most of the conversion work. I put together the DOT packages . I take the required photos. I tune the cars for the emissions tests. I troubleshoot problems . I assist customers with tech support. I give customers advice on parts. I give customers help when they have tech issues. I drive most of the cars when we race them. I drove a car to NOPI , drove a car on the Trek 2 Texas. I handle most of the emails . Most of the forum stuff. I handle most of the shit talking for MotoRex , heard a lot - haven't lost a confrontation yet. I deal with most of the magazine people. I deal with our drag car now. Handle phone calls from prospective customers. I take the cars out to shows and events.I deal with DMVs when they have issues. I work on cars if I have to.

I like your style...Whats your name? You are doing everything that I want to get into... Do you know anything about the SCCA? One way that I want to plug my import shop is to get into Solo and Club racing... Althoguh i'm not sure if the Skyline is alowed in any of those series... Are you guy planning on doing anything with the Lan Evo, or any other cars?

Jeremy

Problem with the GT-R for some series is that its too much car. AWD , plus the turbos , 2.6 liter... SCCA stuff is fairly expensive. I have information for the Speedvision Cup...but same getting a program going is not cheap...

It would also probably take some work to get competitive.

Solo and Club racing doesnt get much coverage. Its fun...but not much coverage.

Our thing this year is going to be drag racing. Which is our scene. Its what I enjoy , its what I do. We are still slowly prepping Big Bird for that....

Lancer Evo - would love to bring them in. There have been a few aborted attempts. The latest was RalliArt UK. They had 100 cars in Japan ready to go...but I think they ended up giving up . It was going to end up taking too much time and they were not happy with the price estimates. We were talking to them after they had problems with another Registered Importer.

Sean
MotoRex

I've never had the pleasure of getting my hands on a Skyline but I have worked in the Speedvision GT series. If the Skyline is half the car it seems to be, it would wipe the competition. The Champion Audi isn't great and the Realtime NSX should be faster. By speedvision rules the Skyline would dominate.:frog:

Cars are important in racing....so are drivers. A halfway decent car with an awesome driver will beat a halfway decent driver in an awesome car.

I have talked to Mitch Wright about letting the Skyline GT-R into the Speedvision cup. He said that we would need about 450hp to be competitive. R33 - R34 can fit 275mm wide tires front and rear. Factory coil overs. AWD .

It is possible to do but to put together a good effort I would estimate you would need $250,000 to compete for a season.

This money is not easy to come by. I imagine you could be mid field with less of an effort , but..... still need stuff like a transporter ($60,000 used) , spares , etc ,etc.

250K? How could it be so much? I still have to get a car and what not. Work on my skills alot, but it only costs like 50 buckt to get into the SCCA. The Speedvision Cup huh? I'm not ready for PRO racing. Is there any way to get into other races like Club races? Then I caould race the car and build up a little rep, gain some support from outside sources ( I'm talkin' to you NISMO!) then build up to Pro. The pro drivers are all old too. Except for a couple, but I'm only 20. I still have a way to go on this. I'm trying to find a good candidate, the R23 is the lightest, but also the oldest. I don't know. I would probably run it without the AWD too.

Dont want to say you dont know your stuff - but you are only 20 . I am 28 .

Give you a little of my background. My dad has been a car dealer since he was 17. I have been around cars /car sales since I was a little kid. My uncles race in New Zealand. Lots of my fathers friends from New Zealand race. I have been moving cars around for my dad since I was 14. Organizing older friends and picking cars up at the auctions and delivering to the ports. Exporting cars to Japan. Went into the Navy in 1991 - 1997. Still involved with cars when I was in the Navy. Got out worked in the Export business again until 1999 when I started working at MotoRex.


Why 250 K..... 250 K for a well thought out PRO series run. New R34 N1 - About $60,000 in Japan. $60,000 on a truck and transporter. So we are up to $120,000 without even trying.

Couple sets of wheels and tires. Around $3,000 a set... another $12,000(per race) . Suspension - Maybe $3,000-$10,000 if you have spares and more springs . Fuel management and data logging - most places use Motec which ends up being around $25,000. Spare motor and various parts - about another $10,000. Another $50,000 - $57,000 . Still need to prep the car for racing. Stuff like upgrade the brakes - the stocks are good - but for racing...probably need more. Strip the interior. Install a roll cage. Fuel cell . Drive shaft loops. Two way radios . Fire system . Safety harness . HANS device.... $500 here - $1000 there....

So we are up to $170,000 . We have no driver. No truck driver . No crew. No mechanics. No money to get to the event . No budget for hotels , gas , food. Entry fees . Breakage , repair parts if you crash. Other R&D or testing.

I'll be the driver for free :)
One problem solved :)

Damn.... Is there no way to drive one in just a regional event? Other wise I'll have to just start out with something cheaper like a 240SX :(
Does it have to be a brand new N1? Is the PRO GT the only way to go? Cuz I don't have the backing to do that kid of racing. You do know more than me. I am not afraid to admit it. Thats why I asked you.

Peace
Jeremy

When I brought my R32 over from Japan, we looked at endurance and SCCA Pro racing as an alternative, and as Sean pointed out, better have deep pockets.

I see the $250,000 number, and based on the budgeting and research I did, and the people I know currently running the pro series - that is a low number. I think that I remember reading above Sean stated that would be a mid-pack car - and he is correct.

Although 450 hp would be nothing in a GTR, it is the other parts that will become the problem. You will go through 2-3 sets of tires is the short sprint races they run, not including testing time, etc. Now go to things in endurance racing like many many sets of tires, basically replacement parts for every part on the car, etc and the number comes closer to $500,000 for an entire season to be competitive.

Now that number includes everything, from testing time, entrance fees, team costs, driver costs etc etc. It is absolutely amazing how much $$ racing costs. And if you are a team that is just getting started - good luck finding sponsorship, you will most likely run at least 1/2 the season on your own nickel.

Just my .02.

250k sounds cheap. I'm used to 10 times that being cheap. I also know pleanty of good drivers who would be basically free. Plus a crew ready to work. Lets talk.

Hey ShooterBoy, how's the Godzilla doin' man? Finished with the project yet?:cool:

Originally posted by R33
Hey ShooterBoy, how's the Godzilla doin' man? Finished with the project yet?:cool:

FINISHED???? AHHAHAHAHAHAHAH - I wish.

We started from scratch this off season. Compeltey rebuilding the car with all sorts of goodies....:D:D

It is coming is all I am going to say....

Somethin' evil this way comes!!!!:devil:

Originally posted by R33
Somethin' evil this way comes!!!!:devil:

you could say that................:smoker2:

Say Shooter, how much do you think your Godzilla will weigh after all the works? Did you weigh it before you started the work? If so, what was the weight?
FYI, me and my friends are gonna start a racing project soon. We are looking at the GTiR or EVO 3 or even a R32. Not for dragging but for track racing including a 12 hour endurance! Hope that we can exchange infos, if you don't mind.:cool:

Say Shooter, how much do you think your Godzilla will weigh after all the works? Did you weigh it before you started the work? If so, what was the weight?
FYI, me and my friends are gonna start a racing project soon. We are looking at the GTiR or EVO 3 or even a R32. Not for dragging but for track racing including a 12 hour endurance! Hope that we can exchange infos, if you don't mind.:cool:
Well, don't just sit in front of the computer, GO AND COMPLETE YOUR GODZILLA:D

Hey MotoRex, Ive emailed you guys a couple of times about obtaining purchasing info and info about your stock list and the availability of the 1992 Gt R r32 and the 2001 Gtr R34 but you guys never responded. I want to get the R32 for my cousin and the R34 for Me :).

Also he wanted one thats kept as Right hand drive but i wanted to know what the possibility of doing the Left hand drive conversion on the R34, i know thats its been done on the R33, if you could give me an estimate for materials and work i could put at least another 10k on the side just for that.

Next i wanted to know about purchasing just the engines, any of the RB series (Rb25DET, RB26DET OR THE RB26DETT) the Rb20 is to weak. Also if you were able to sell me just the engine would it pass all the EPA regulations or would you have to do more work to it after i dropped them in. Also i know that you guys are located in SoCal and if you were able to sell the engine how much would it cost to ship it to San Francisco where im Located.

I was in the process of doing Sr20det engine swaps on a Datsun 280zx and a 94 S14 (240sx) but i have one to my cousin and sold the other one to my friend when i heard about a company called Unstable-hybrids.com. I could buy the engine from the for 5000 not including shipping and it would come with the transmission. but i dont know much about the quality of the engines, their reputation as a company and i would rather go through you guys at Motorex even if it cost a k more then the other because ive heard of your reputation of quality

Thanks a lot also if you could get the information to me as soon as possible that would be great. also i could pay for both the same day and pick them both up at the same time when they are finished

Mark

Originally posted by R33
Say Shooter, how much do you think your Godzilla will weigh after all the works? Did you weigh it before you started the work? If so, what was the weight?
FYI, me and my friends are gonna start a racing project soon. We are looking at the GTiR or EVO 3 or even a R32. Not for dragging but for track racing including a 12 hour endurance! Hope that we can exchange infos, if you don't mind.:cool:
Well, don't just sit in front of the computer, GO AND COMPLETE YOUR GODZILLA:D

LOL - we are at a standstill right now, as we are waiting for parts from Japan. But hopefully it wil be done soon. I looked at enduro racing with this GTR, but the cost ruled me out of it. It is really really expensive to run enduro type racing. Figure you need a lot of tires, brakes - a spare part for just about everything, spare gearbox etc etc. It just turned out to be too much. I did an estimated budget and came up with about $500,000 USD for a first year of racing. That is simply way to much $$ for me, since I am paying for this myself, with only tuning sponsorship right now. I still pay for everything.

When we shipped it, it weighed 3150 pounds, sans interior. Since then, to run in street classes, we put the interior back in. The roll cage in there now is a 7 point, from steel, so figure it weighs at least 50lbs. BUt we are also putting it on as much of a diet as possible. I am hoping for an even 3000 with driver (me, at 170 lb), so gotta wait and see.

Kevin

Originally posted by R33
Say Shooter, how much do you think your Godzilla will weigh after all the works? Did you weigh it before you started the work? If so, what was the weight?
FYI, me and my friends are gonna start a racing project soon. We are looking at the GTiR or EVO 3 or even a R32. Not for dragging but for track racing including a 12 hour endurance! Hope that we can exchange infos, if you don't mind.:cool:

Where are you looking to run enduros? In the US?

Hey guys,

These projects sound like a lot of fun. The money thing is the same problem I ran into when I first looked into rallying. I thought you just went to a race and drove, and then magically Subaru or Mitsubishi would ask you to be a pro driver for their team. I was so wrong. I started adding up how much it would cost for me just to start, and it was in the 6-digits. I didn't give up, though. It'll just take some time. I do have an idea for a street car that you guys might be able to help me with. I'm thinking about a touring car replica. One that looks just like a race car on the British , German, or Japanese circuits and runs really good, but is tame enough to be a semi-daily driver. What do you think would be the best way to go about this? Should I buy a used race car and detune a little or get a car that's completely stock and build it up from there? How much of a difference is there between dealership sold cars and the ones I see on Speedvision? I have heard that the race cars have tube frames and carbon fiber bodies, but from the way you guys talk, it sound like these are factory cars that have been upgraded enough to compete. Thanks for any help.

kidracer9

Shooter, ther's no wqay in heaven I would be able to race in the US though I'd love to do so!:( There are not as many races here as in the US but the 2 most publicised and popular races here is the Independance Day 12 hour endurance (on 31st August every year) and the JGTCC support race (10 laps). Me and my mates are looking at these.
The cost is high but not as high as in the US. For the past 2 years, we sponsored a NA car for production series in the endurance. The results were ok....2000 - we finished 6th in our class (we were up with the v tecs and mivecs) and last year we retired after about 8 hrs after our second drive shaft broke (having no more spare shaft!:( )Earlier the team replaced a drive shaft in 20 mins or so!
This year, my metes had established contact with a racing team member in Japan and they have lot of racing prepared parts for sale - engines, gear boxes etc etc. These are parts prepared by them for sale or already used by them in 1 race and now are for sale for CHEAP! Race prepared EVO 6 engine good for 450 horses is going for less than USD 2k for eg.
Through them, we have identified an ex race GTiR (race prepared with roll cages etc) running about 350 hp at only USD 2800! We are thinkin' of taking this one and build it from there. We estimate that with USD 25k the car would be ready for this August though regretfully we would miss the June JGTCC support race. With another USD25k, we would be able to support the racing cost. All team members are professionals and they are doing it without pay (including me and my mates who are gonna drive). Testings can be done at another track with minimum expense as we have enough string...no...cables to pull!:D Hopefully, we would be able to bring the car in time, the only problems now being the waiver of govt. duties (I am going to approach a minister for that) and govt approved permit. Malaysia is now embarking on being the region's no. 1 auto racing centre and the govt. is opened to suggestions. We would exploit that to the fullest (FYI, Malaysia currently has 2 F1 teams ie Petronas Sauber and KL Minardi Asiatech. The infrastructure is there including the arguably best F1 track in the ubiverse!).
This might interest you. We are also sourcing a racing prepared gearbox for my GTR from our Japanese racing contact . It is a modified stock tranny for R33 with short ratios and strengthened gears etc. Although there is yet confirmation on the ratios and price, I believe it's gonna be a song compared to the HKS seq six speeder or Hollinger. If you are interested, I would tell ya the infos as soon as I get them. Cheers.

:cool: :cool:

R33: Yes, I am interested. We are currently looking at alternatives for the gearbox, and if those with the strengthened gears can take big HP for short bursts, I am interested.

PLease email or pm me when you learn more about them...

thanks - Kevin

This question in Directed towards Motorex In reading your FAQ section i have insterted a part that raises a question on mine. I myslef am living in japan and own a silvia .. thinking that i might want to try to import it back to hawaii when i return.. i got with air bag on drivers side.. SO... here is the section



I have a (insert car here.. ,Toyota Supra , WRX) in Japan , can I import it into the US and legalize it?

There are ways to import vehicles into the US. Normally they are imported as substaincially similar to a US model. Then what happens is anything that is different between the US DOT legal vehicle and the vehicle from overseas would need to be changed to be the same as a US model. For example - headlights , tailights , mph speedometer cluster. The DOT no longer accepts right hand drive cars as being substaincially similar to the US model unless the manufacturer provides information to the DOT stating the vehicles are substancially similar.

Additionally the engine in the vehicle must be available in the US or the engine must be certified for the US. Ok now it does seem to me that a 240sx.. is quite similar to that of the silvia.. OK.. so thinking of the silvia.. besides minor things like adding 5 mph and not 3 mph bumpers.. and other various odds and ends.. seems rather resonable.. i would not see how they would be THAT different in body structure for crash testing. So, then the main difference would fall under the engine and the right hand side driving. the engine is just a hurdle that can be solved with a us spec engine or something of that nature.. I guess my primary concern is that of being right handed.. but i know this can be solved as all skylines are right handed.. and you sell those.. and there is NOTHING like those beasts in the US. D.O.T. <--- what is really else needed to be done.. they are quite similar in 240sx.. Now, EPA i can understand being little more difficult but if engine swap is necessary for dot then of course all epa emissions would then be A OK.. and of course the point is to put the REAL sr20det back in.. and hawaii with NO emission is GREAT!!.. which would then make me think.. the only other thing that is necessary is all the import duty and other fees... .. I guess my question lies in both.. what else is there that would need to be done... and then with your answer of your FAQ .. why do you not bring in silvias? the are quite similar to us car... Seems there is a market... i would imagine most testing has been done on the 240 would apply to that of the silvia.. so what is YOUR choice for not carring? If not totally unique like that of the skyline then i do understand.. of course being a business is all about numbers.. so i understand that also.. so.. is it just not profitable enough? I am sure you are tired of answering most of the same questions.. but i am doing research myself also.. but thought i would get some direction from a knowledgeable source.. you. On a side note.. i have seen so many silvias and skylines for very little price.. meaning i got a 1995 silvia K for about 5,500 usd but almost ALL of the cars i see on lots and mag for sale here are pretty damn high miles.. you litterly see them like you would see civics in the states.. OH.. and i guess i am not IMPORT racing now.. hehehe I am a DOMESTIC car racing.. i really see a minimum of about 30 silvias and 30 skylines a day.. of course.. i am looking for them so they do stick out in my mind. as for people in the states not knowing what a skyline is.. what do you expect.. if a dentists acts you if you knew what a bimodular graphic bicuspid emulator .. really was.. would you know? NO.. but i bet every damn denists would.. .. so.. asking my mom weither a silvia turbo has 4 or 5 lugnuts would be crazy.. she does not give a crap. mmm.. just in case anyone does not know.. that is the tale tell sign of how you tell a turbo from a non turbo.. well.. one of the ways. . intercooler.. and all those other things give it away also. well.. thats my 2 cents on the import.. I am wanting to get my car imported.. and of course looking to spend around 4000 usd.. if i can stay there them i am at 9,500.. for car and import.. what i would really like.. is some of the people who said they did the import already without the help of motorex.. to shed some light on this otherwise slightly grey topic

The problem is that the DOT will not accpet the right hand drive car as substaincially similar.

In other words - you would have to crash test them to prove to the DOT that it was crash worthy.

You have to pay for the crash testing yourself. The government does not pay for it
$50,000 for the front impact. Then you have side impact , rear impact. Then you have rollover/roof crush resistance testing.

Pay for the emissions , pay , pay ,pay....

Legal way is the hard way...


Sean
MotoRex

OK.... i completely understand about the crash testing of course why they would not want to say substain.. similar.. well.. who knows.. ok.. so the fact is that all this crash testing would have to be done for DOT..
ok..

THIS next part might sound a bit crazy.. but i have never been one to be totally normal in my thinking of ways around this sort of problem..

OK.. so basically the easiest "OR HARDEST" way is to get my silvia and pretty much take the entire inside apart as well as enginebay and i am sure some things under the car as well.. of course.. i do travel back and forth to hawaii from time to time.. and i guess my point would essentially be taking the fire wall included.. and then getting us reg 240 and swapping them out.. of course some mounting and fire wall replacement would be quite time consumming.. but i am sure this could be done.. and i do like to think of my cars as always PROJECT cars.. hehehe. <--- of course that is if you are dead set on the right side driving.. now once this is completed.. would there be any reason.. other than the emissions... that would cause problems.. ? lenghty but i think that would work.. I love to do project such as this on my cars.. just that in japan.. i do not have any tools right now.. and of course.. i do love driving my car.. ok.. well.. lets here any thoughts on this .....

Originally posted by R33
This might interest you. We are also sourcing a racing prepared gearbox for my GTR from our Japanese racing contact . It is a modified stock tranny for R33 with short ratios and strengthened gears etc. Although there is yet confirmation on the ratios and price, I believe it's gonna be a song compared to the HKS seq six speeder or Hollinger. If you are interested, I would tell ya the infos as soon as I get them. Cheers.

:cool: :cool:

Might want to watch out for the Hollinger... It seems to have trouble going into gear at high RPM (above 9k). It apparently has nothing to do with power, just revs... Could be the ECU control over the tranny, or the tranny itself... Donno.

I totaly understand the frustration about importing japanese cars. I just had a toyota aristo shipped here from japan. That was the easy part. The hard part is trying to find crash test info comparing this car to the gs300. Can anyone help? My car will be destroyed if I can't find this info.:(

R33,

I know you do not know me, but I would love to get info on used race parts for my Skyline. Spare parts are a good thing in my book.:sun:

Cheers,
Robb

Anybody know of how people get kit cars registered? or a homebuilt? and can we just call a skyline a kitcar and register it and get around this whole ordeal... just wondering





________________________

Rice me up Scotty!

Here you go.

www.epa.gov/otaq/imports/kitcar.htm

Read, this will tell you.

mix egg
i thought that i would maybe help you out a little, i live in washington, and there really is no such thing as an emissions test here. but i am thinking that it is possible to maybe use the o2 sensor from the us wrx...not the new sti model. it may work cause the similar displacement of the engine, a good cat would also help with it as well. other electronics like an air/fuel controller may help if you or when you ahve to take the test...i hope this helps i will ask around about this and im sure that someone up here has done the conversion...i live in the subaru capital of the world...everyone has em here.

what exactly defines a kit car? i recently converted my 180 into a sileighty (Japanese truckers suck) along with quite a few other modifications inside and out. i wonder if i get all the "widebody" parts and such if that will let it be qualified as a kit car. i can make the engine pass emissions (how many cats fit between the downpipe and the muffler?). is it possible to put enough parts on the car to make it a kit car in the eyes of the US government?