has anyone researched into shipping fc's from japan to the u.s.? would it be a difficult process for getting the rhd legalized since its available in the u.s. market?

 

didn't you just ask this about FD's?? It's pretty hard actually.

 

I don't see the point at all in getting an overseas car. Here in canada, not to sure about the US, but its absolutley illegal to drive a car that has right wheel drive! I mean our roads aren't made for it! it wouldn't even be safe! Even then, the car has to be like 15 years old for it to even be allowed in the country, AND if you do get it, its for the track only, nothing else.

 

Thats Canada. Here in the US, you can drive right-hand drive, its more of a matter of crash tests and emissions. To import an FC and drive it legally, you would need to buy about 5 of them to be crash tested. Even then, they would fail anyway. Best bet is import one and use the VIN switcheroo from a salavaged -7- in a junk yard.

 

So you switch the vin plate? what about the VIN thats on the engine frame... if you grind it off they're gonna know somethings up! Also, when they see the car is a right hand drive and the VIN registers it as a north american car, then your screwed!

 

not true, if you say that you modified it to be right hand drive. If you "prove" this with recipts and everything, then you are pretty much good. Besides, how many times are you gonna have the state looking into which side the wheel is on.

Also, DO NOT USE A JUNKYARD VIN!!!! They are registered in the computers as a junker with no ability to be resold. Buy a parts car and use the vin plate from that, as well as the firewall vin. If you weld the firewall vin on and grind down the welds good enough, nobody will ever know the difference, unless it's stolen or in a crash with alot of other features behind it (like evading the police, possesion of narcotics, etc.)

Another thing, you can play the system by following the laws, just not. Like me, I use my 6-point harness on the street, I just have the stock belts over them. Legally in Illinois, I only have to wear the OEM harness. I just wear more. Before anyone goes off about it being unsafe, I keep the OEM harnesses loose enough in comparison that the 6-point does all the work. I am following the law, just with a little loophole in it. Learn the loopholes in your state and in federal laws, it really helps when finding out how much you can get away with.

 

If you were thinking of buying a JDM FC, I'd be quick because here in Australia we are snapping them up by the boat load, both standard and race versions. Japan has a huge variety to pick from, although they are starting to dwindle in numbers.

Pete.