can i make my left hand drive right hand drive

er8086 · #1 08-02-2005, 10:23 PM

what would i need to make it right hand drive (mkIII) that is getting a new engine and a turbo and where could i get all of these things

moparrr07 · #2 08-02-2005, 10:39 PM

that would make it illegal

krissi red94tt · #3 08-03-2005, 10:35 AM

you would need to buy a front clip- mainly the fire wall part of it. to get a front clip u would have to fin a site that sells jap parts. its a very fusterating and costly process if you are going to do it yourself.

projectsupramk3 · #4 08-03-2005, 03:02 PM

RHD is not illegal, but bringing a JDM car to the US is illegal if the car is not on the NHTSA DOT list. Being on the list means that the car is substantially similar (or is in the process of being reviewed to be accepted) to the USDM version and there for safe to drive on US streets (and be given a VIN and titled). Now, assuming you are a good enough fabricator to be able to do the conversion yourself, a complete halfcut will only have about 1/3 to 1/2 (depending how authentic you are making it) of the parts you need for the swap if you are going to do it right. Most likely though if you have to ask about something like this, you're not going to be able to do it.

er8086 · #5 08-03-2005, 10:13 PM

i can do the fabracation and have the knowldege just a new car was hoping for a little insight aalso wondering if i can just move the brake booster/master cylinder and the cluth cylinder over or if i have to buy the plates for it to sit and then i know i would have to buy the steering rack and the dash and a bunch other things but what else would be different than that

GadflyII · #6 08-09-2005, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by er8086

i can do the fabracation and have the knowldege just a new car was hoping for a little insight aalso wondering if i can just move the brake booster/master cylinder and the cluth cylinder over or if i have to buy the plates for it to sit and then i know i would have to buy the steering rack and the dash and a bunch other things but what else would be different than that

It would be cheaper to import one.

projectsupramk3 · #7 08-10-2005, 12:25 AM

Depending on where you go to get the conversion done (or do it yourself), or import a parts car, it would not be cheaper to just import one. Even if it was, you wouldn't even be able to legally to drive or insure it in the US.
er8086,
I'm not trying to be hard on you so don't take this the wrong way. It is not that simple, that would definetly be the wrong way to do a conversion. Like I already said, if you have to ask about something like this, you probably can't do it. Judging from your responce I'd say you shouldn't even attempt it for the sake of your car. Learn alittle more about the structure and all the little parts that make up the car before you even think about doing this, it is MUCH more work than it seems.

cp1 · #8 10-20-2005, 10:16 AM

if i may interrupt... it most definately would be cheaper to import directly from japan heres a reputable broker that is able to do it for you.
http://www.importconcern.ca/

cp1 · #9 10-20-2005, 10:18 AM

oops nevermind that info pertains to us canadians however im sure you would be able to search for a broker who could explain the US laws on importing.

TcmaBoy · #10 10-20-2005, 01:06 PM

US laws make it a pain to import. To bring in a whole car you would need to go through a bonded customs wherehouse. You would have the car shipped to them. You can find them near any international air port. You might need to show up with a trailer to haul the car off depending on what state you are in. In some states you might be able to get away with a trip permint. Before the car can leave You need to pay a bond on the car. The bond would not be released until the car has been converted and titled in the US. The emissions equipment and glass will have to be changed. Whether or not it is cheaper to bring in the whole car, or a front clip and do the conversion depends on how restrictive your state is. Research the state laws on kit cars and salvage rebuild cars. Those are usually the laws that pertain to getting a new VIN. Talk to what ever state agency is in charge of assigning the VIN. The state patrol and the DMV are always good places to start. The laws on importation of motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts can be found on the US Customs Service website.

Yellow 13 · #11 10-20-2005, 06:13 PM

I just saw an mkIII supra on yahoo auctions japan going for 38,000 yen. When I converted the currency it came out to like 300 something US. Why so cheap?

vancarguy · #12 11-03-2005, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellow 13

I just saw an mkIII supra on yahoo auctions japan going for 38,000 yen. When I converted the currency it came out to like 300 something US. Why so cheap?

As I understand it, Japan has extremely tight laws regarding vehicles, so tight that many are considered unfit to drive when they are relatively young. Further, it is very costly to own a vehicle there, so people need to get rid of them. I've even heard that for cars older than 6 years, an owner has to PAY a junkyard to take it away. Therefore, a mkiii supra, min 13 yrs old, will be considered very old by Japanese standards.

Yellow 13 · #13 11-03-2005, 05:07 PM

Maybe Ill buy it then, Im planning a trip over there in the next year or two anyways...so why not have a nice ride waiting for me. Ill just pay the fees for the owner to hold it for me.

TcmaBoy · #14 01-10-2006, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hazw8st

No, RHD is not illegal. Importing the car is illegal. If the vehicle is already here, I can legally register it. Email me with any CA smog/registration questions.

It is not illegal to import cars. If you import a car you have to make it comply with state regulations before it can be registered. I say state regulations because US federal reguations only apply to OEMs. Individual states determine what is road legal and what isn't. This leads to a lot of confusion due to the high number of Californians giving bad advice to peolpe that live in areas with less restrictive laws. You may have to pay a bond so you can take the car from the customs wherehouse to where the work will be prefromed. When the work is completed you can get a VIN, title and registration. When that is done your bond will be released. You do not need a licence to do this. All you have to do is work with a shipping company that has a bonded customs wherehouse in your area.

For more info:

http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cg...importer_info/

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