sr20det not street legel????

[Hit_N_Run-player]

is the sr20det not street legel or what?? And i keep hearing ppl in my classes saying they are SOHC, i though they were dual? How much PSI could you also run a stock sr20 block and everything?

[Hit_N_Run-player]

well i found they are dual so i dont have that question, and i just found the boost PSI so i dont need that answered. But what is up with ppl saying they arent street legal?

[logik23]

They aren't because they aren't made for a US vehicle or something like that, something about emissions, damn I love Canada!

[Hit_N_Run-player]

so wait.... i cant drive a 240sx on the road that has an sr20det in it??? WTF!!!

[logik23]

I think that places where you have no visual test or something you can drive it (still not legal, but they don'T check so wtv), but places where you have visual, you'll fail.

[vsiev]

the engine is not legal in the states. However, some states inspectors are cool with it or just don't know. In cali, you will fail period. Visual inspection will cause you to fail. Unless you pay the guy off, and don't tell your insurance company you have one, or let a cop pop your hood, you can drive it....no matter what, it is illegal period.

[Hit_N_Run-player]

$hit, why do so many ppl have em then, what other engine should i look towards then?

[pantlegz]

I'd say either KA-t or VG30DETT if you're ready for tons of custom fabrication and lots of down time

[vsiev]

the reason they have them is cause they have inside friends who can pass them, or they pass of the inspector like 400+ to turn their cheeks and let them pass. Still the motor is illegal.

[alkemyst]

Originally Posted by Hit_N_Run-player

$hit, why do so many ppl have em then, what other engine should i look towards then?

Same reasons there are many that do drugs, prostitution, etc....

It's all in the risks and the work arounds you want to do. Some in CA will freaking swap in their stock motor, getting smogged and then swap back in the illegal one.

[SHIFT_KA24DE]

Here are several reasons why u can’t…

Definition of a non-US vehicle

Non-U.S. version vehicles generally are those that are sold in foreign countries. They will not have the U.S. EPA compliance label. Non-U.S. version vehicles may also include U.S. version vehicles that have been modified or altered.

Besides EPA, several other Federal agencies regulate the importation of nonconforming vehicles, including the Department of Transportation, Customs and Internal Revenue Service.

EPA does not recommend the importation of nonconforming vehicles. Conversion of nonconforming vehicles is usually very expensive, and sometimes impossible or impractical.

EPA will permit the importation of a nonconforming vehicle only if it qualifies for an exclusion or an exemption, or is imported by an independent commercial importer (ICI), who is a current holder of a valid EPA certificate of conformity.

B. Exclusions

Excluded vehicles are those vehicles that have been excluded from the emission requirements of the Clean Air Act

B. (1) Manufactured before the EPA Regulations

The following vehicles and engines are excluded because they were manufactured before the EPA emission regulations. These vehicles are now imported under EPA declaration code "E":

Gasoline-fueled car or light truck built before 1968

Diesel-fueled car built before 1975

Diesel-fueled light truck built before 1977

Motorcycle built before 1978

Gasoline- or diesel-fueled engine for heavy duty truck built before 1970

No approval or Customs bond is required by EPA.

The importer must file with U.S. Customs, upon entry, an EPA Form 3520-1 and declare code "E" on that form.

The importer must also prove to Customs, as required, that the vehicle or engine was manufactured prior to EPA regulation. Documents such as a title, or letter from the original manufacturer may be used for this purpose.

Other vehicles or engines 21 years or older may also be imported without modification, using code "E".

B. (2) Engine not in Vehicle or Chassis

EPA regulates the entire vehicle, not individual parts, for cars, light trucks, and motorcycles. If an engine is not installed, and is to be used in a car, motorcycle, or light truck, it may be imported as an automotive part. No approval or Customs bond is required by EPA. Importers should be aware, however, that replacement of an engine in a U.S. version vehicle with an engine of a different type or model year may violate EPA regulations.

To import an engine for use in a car, light truck or motorcycle, the importer must file with U.S. Customs, upon entry, an EPA Form 3520-1 and declare code "W" on that form.

B. (3) Vehicle not Safe or Practical to Drive on Streets and Highways

A racing vehicle may not use the off road exclusion. A motorcycle with an engine of less than 50cc is in general not regulated, and may be imported without approval or Customs bond under EPA declaration code "U". To be eligible for the off road exclusion, any other vehicle or engine must meet at least one of the following three criteria:

1. It cannot exceed an ungoverned speed of 25 miles per hour; or

2. It lacks features customarily associated with safe and practical street or highway use; or

3. It exhibits features that make its use on a street or highway unsafe, impractical, or highly unlikely.

The deletion, removal or absence of features that can be readily added, is not sufficient grounds for this exclusion.

In general, in order import an off road vehicle not covered by the EPA nonroad regulations, the importer must file with U.S. Customs, upon entry, an EPA Form 3520-1 and declare code "X" on that form. Depending on the vehicle, it may be necessary for the importer to first obtain a written exclusion from EPA. No Customs bond or approval is required by EPA.

B. (4) Racing Vehicle

Not all vehicles used in races are excluded from emissions compliance. A racing vehicle exclusion is based on the capability of the vehicle to safely and practically be driven on streets and highways. Written EPA approval must be obtained before clearance at Customs.

Once a racing vehicle is imported, it is a violation of the Clean Air Act to register or license it for street use, or to convert it into a motor vehicle, unless it is first covered by an applicable EPA certificate of conformity.

The importer must file with Customs, upon entry, an EPA Form 3520-1, declare code "L" on that form, and attach the EPA letter of approval.

B. (5) Unregulated Fuel Vehicle

Regulated fuels are typically gasoline and diesel, but include methanol, compressed natural gas, and liquid petroleum gas, depending on the model year of the vehicle.

For model years earlier than 1991, gasoline and diesel are regulated fuels.

For 1990-1996 model years, gasoline, diesel, and methanol are regulated fuels.

For 1997 and later model years, gasoline, diesel, methanol, Compressed Natural Gas, and Liquid Petroleum Gas, including propane are regulated fuels.

A dual-fueled or multi-fueled vehicle is not considered unregulated if it is capable of running on any regulated fuel.

No Customs bond or approval is required by EPA.

The importer must file with U.S. Customs, upon entry, an EPA Form 3520-1 and declare code "Y" on that form

C. Exemptions

Exemptions are EPA waivers from meeting the emission requirements.

C. (1) Hardship Exemption

An extreme hardship or extraordinary circumstance may qualify an importer for an exemption. An example of a possible hardship exemption is a handicapped person who needs a special vehicle. For an exemption based on financial consideration, the vehicle must be essential for basic living purposes. In addition, the importer must be unable, due to circumstances beyond his or her control, to purchase either a "reasonable" used U.S. version vehicle or to convert the non-U.S. version vehicle to meet Federal emission requirements. EPA will not consider the following typical situations as a basis for hardship: the importer's job situation causes an unexpected move to the U.S.; the importer has run up large consumer debts; the cost of converting a vehicle to meet the Federal emission requirements is a financial burden or exceeds the value of the vehicle; the importer has difficulty selling the nonconforming vehicle overseas or would take a substantial financial loss; the manufacturer will not provide a letter of compliance or of modification instructions.

If EPA grants a hardship exemption, the importer must then file with Customs, upon entry, an EPA Form 3520-1, declaring code "M" on that form, and attach the EPA approval letter.

C. (2) Identical To U.S. Version Vehicles

The vehicle may qualify for an exemption if it was manufactured to be identical to a U.S. EPA certified version. No Customs bond or approval is required by EPA. However, a vehicle is not eligible for the "identical" exemption if it had been modified or altered since it was manufactured.

The importer must obtain a letter from the manufacturer's U.S. representative stating the vehicle met the U.S. emission requirements at the time of manufacture. Alternatively for Canadian vehicles, a Canadian vehicle qualifies if it is on the EPA list of identical Canadian vehicle models. Most 1988 and later Canadian cars and light trucks are on the EPA list.

An "identical" vehicle may not be imported for resale, except for "identical" Canadian cars and light-trucks.

The importer must file with Customs, upon entry, an EPA Form 3520-1 declaring code "EE" and attach the letter from the manufacturer's U.S. representative, if required.

D. Importation By an Independent Commercial Importer

An independent commercial importer (abbreviated as ICI) is a private business located in the U.S. that has at least one certificate of conformity from EPA. An EPA certificate of conformity allows the ICI to import and modify certain nonconforming vehicles to bring them into compliance with the EPA requirements. The ICI is not associated with EPA or the original vehicle manufacturer, and EPA does not guarantee the work of the ICI.

Vehicles required to be imported by ICIs must be entered through Customs by the ICI, not the vehicle owner. The ICI must retain custody until after the vehicle has met all EPA requirements.

Those requirements include a fifteen working day holding period after the ICI informs EPA that all the work and testing have been completed.

Before making any purchase or shipping arrangements, you should be sure that there is an ICI who is both eligible and willing to import your vehicle, and that you are prepared to pay the ICI charges, and that you are prepared to wait the necessary time.

[Hit_N_Run-player]

thanks for that post, it helped me a lot. But couldnt the sr20 have certain regulations on it that would make it street use?

[Ricky619]

yes. as long as you ship a silvia from japan here. then register it as an exotic car. this is California. as anywhere else. dunno. oh yeah not to mention the performance of the vehicle will be at risk cause legally they want it to pass smog inspection

[rps13freak]

in some states you can (florida). you dont have to pay people to pass. it all depends on the state that you are in. like florida where there are no emmisions or visual tests. but there are several threads on this topic so there is no point in starting another thread. search for them.

[jmrev]

the sr20de is legal, why dont you get one of those and turbo it. Im guessing that would be legal. Correct me if im wrong.