Wouldn't it be cheaper just to drop the 99+ spec suspension, engine, and drivetrain in a US spec 93-95? To my knowledge the only performance improvements are the engine (a little more power), the suspension, and different rear differental ratio. Going to a single turbo would solve the power difference (and then some), and the differental gearing is easy enough to change. That just leaves the suspension changes. Does anyone know of anymore performance changes?

 

You're forgetting about CUSTOMS. As with any government agency, they want their money. They have a system of figuring out the tax associated w/ anything. They're not just going to let you drive the car from the boat docks w/o paying them. Also, meet their good friends, the EPA and DOT.

 

OK lets do it this way. Who knows of any legal 96 or newer FD's in the US. Their has to be some. If they passed everything couldn't one just call up the DMV and customs and have them check their records for the info? I know it will cost money, but some of you guys are trying to make it sound impossible. And it's not.

later Gun

 

I haven't seen the price of a new engine from Japan, but from what I hear, you may as well rebuild a current one, slap on a Single Turbo, IC, new ECU and upgrade the fuel all for the same price of "new" engine from Japan.

What people are wanting is a 2 or 3 year old (or brand new) "car" instead of a 7-9 year old car.

 

Are we talking 100% legal (whole car, crash tests, taxation, etc.) or are you referring to loophole legal (kit cars, reassembled cars)? I'm willing to bet that EVERY supposed legal not originally brought over the the US RX-7, is NOT 100% legal.

 

Exactlly, find out what they did and use the cheapest way. I'd rather it be part legal than totallyi illeagal. If you want a newer FD it proablly the best way to go about it. Beats the price of the import companies. Unless you bring it in illegally through a US Territory with switched VINs which is probally the cheapest way to go.

later Gun

 

But the underlying problem here is WHO would be willing to tell you how they did it?

 

Does anybody have the price information handy? Let's see the calculation of part replacement vs. importing the whole darn thing.

Front fascia
Rear wing
Front air dam
Turbos
Engine (why not just wait for the Renesis?)
Bilstein shocks
Rear diffy
Recaro seats
In-dash boost gauge
.. and whatever else I forgot or don't know about.

I'd be interested to know exactly what the difference is.

 

I think there are a lot of valid points on this one.

BUT lets just remember one thing that was completely overlooked. Insurance. Say you fork over all the cash to get it 100% or even partly legal engough to pass and then its time to get that thing covered....the only way possible is to go with that really expensve company for pure race cars only. I doubt you could walk over to american family or geico and say "Hey I just got this new rx7 from japan and I want full coverage"

And heaven forbid you do it the illegal way. Let say you avoid accidents and the like but one day while you are showing off to your girl friend and johnny law pulls you over; you might as well put on the cuffs yourself. Even if you have vins off a totalled one you better melt down all the evidence of the original car becasue junkyards do reports vin numbers that come buy and if one goes up missing the cop will sure see that.

Id say go with the full changeover of parts unless you have serious cash for insurance and the car in general.

 

im shure if some one realy wanted to they could change the vin on the firewall make it look authentic and the dash could just be replaced...... Another thing People smuggle **** into the us all the firggin time in and out i dunno im pretty shure u could work something out.

 

Yea, but they usually don't need to license or insure those types of smuggle things....

 

does anyone know the procedure for registering a homebuilt car... I live in Georgia and rednecks down here build these rail-buggies and all sorts of death traps on wheels, register them, insure them, and drive the wheels off.
What i'm getting at is this.. bring it over in parts.. assemble it, and register it as a homebuilt... one of a kind.. kit car.. kinda thing.
I know some insurance companies offer a policy where you provide documentation of the replacment price (other then book value) and they will give you a rate for anything.

 

why don't we just import the super pills that the japense take that makes it so they don't need air bags, side impact beams and anything that makes the car safe. we can present it to the gov, and get htem to change the law. hows that sound? i bet its one hell of a pill

 

all people who arent dorks go here:
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...threadid=74097

its for people who dont care about being on the straight and narrow, spending 80k on importing a car

 

what is AIM? it sounds like a chat room, if so how do i get acess. thxs

 

lol, Aol Instant Messanger. www.aol.com

haha.

 

I'm sure somebody on this site knows somebody who has one; a 96 or newer FD; of these and could get the info from the said person. You mean to tell me not one of the 13500 registered people here no one knows a person with a newer FD. I'm sure someone has, afterall the people here would show an interest in a 96 and up FD at least to talk to the owner if they come to this site a lot. Just get to talking you Cali guys cause that's probally where the newer FD's are. Somebody make someone talk.

later Gun

 

Have you any clue how much red tape and B.S you will have to got through to bring a JSPEC FD into the US ?

..Bill Gates has some fancy-dancy Porsche (99-something ??) sitting on the docks in the US for the last 4 years because that model was not crash tested and DMV approved for sale in the US ..and look at how many other types of Porsches you have for sale up there at present ...imagine the headache for an FD that isn't sold anymore. If Ole Bill G couldn't bribe someone to register it for him ..then worst for you ?!.

I'd love to know who Motorex bought lunch (to put it nicely) to be able to import the GTR's ..cause I have a few I could sell you ..as well as some EVO 4's, 5's, 6's, 6 1/2 Tommy Editions, and a few Evo7's as well ! ..and a 2001 GTR V-Spec with 15,000 kms on the clock for 42,000 USD + $2500 US shipping from the Caribbean to the US of A.

Buy front cuts and swap is the best I can offer.

I was recently looking at an Fd..a 2000 RS with "0" kms on the clock ..a showroom car for Y$ 3,800,000 ...if anyone wants to try their luck I can send it to you...not a scratch on it.

 

I'd bet there is not one.

 

It's funny how many people still believe in the "system" and how it works. It's all who you know or who you blow! I "know" quite a few people in the "industry" that have some interesting things to say about the whole Motorex deal. I have a friend who actually has 2 Skylines from them and has done quite a bit of business with them......he says you'd be suprised.

It's all in who you talk to and can buy off. A white guy (i know it sounds racist but think about it) doesn't really have a chance in hell getting this done on his own. You will have to have some serious "Asian" connections.....because they have some serious issues with Americans and will not help for anything. I'm talking from experience and it's the truth. For those that want to take offense......prove me wrong and i'll eat my words.

Until then.....it's all a pipe dream for the average Joe.....unless you change your name to JoeSung

I have quite a few containers sitting in customs right now waiting for "approval" or the "payoff" before i can get them. But, i'm lucky that an "asian" company will act on my behalf to get the containers pushed through

Gee thanks good ole American system

 

so im considering buying an FD.....and im kind of figuring into buying it the fact that I will have to replace the engine within a cple years (unless i get lucky and find one someone babied with low miles on it etc.....) If i went to my mazda dealer and said i want a new engine, would that be the same engine that is coming in the new FDs in japan? im assuming not. so is it then the general consensus of all you educated folks that it would be more reasonable to just buy a rebuilt one and tack on some aftermarket parts than to bother importing and then installing a 2000+FD engine?

 

I have a 97, but im in Japan

 

slug420: It doesn't cost as much as you think to get stuff shipped over here from Japan. I've got a good connection with an engine importer and the markup is unbelievable. These people that sell 20B's for upwards of $3000 are a joke! They are cheaper than the 13B's! They sell for about $1500 in really good shape. You can get a FD engine from Japan for about $1500 with everything.....i've priced them. I bought a couple of tranny's for $700-both together. Not to say I would turn around and sell them for that but you get the idea. It's supply and demand

 

These guys inport high end cars from all around the world. The chart is pretty interesting. They would know for sure what is required to get it legal on the street in the US.
http://www.carclassic.com/html/IMPORT-LIST.HTM

Import information from Canada:
http://www.buyclassiccars.com/import.asp

Importing from rest of the world:
http://foreignborn.com/visas_imm/ent...ingyourcar.htm

 

for those of you in the military (like me) there is a clause that allows you to ship a car from your overseas assignment to the states, as long as you dont sell it and you get it titled. no crash testing, or smog certifications needed.

here is the thread on a Prelude site, where I was discussing it with someone. look for posts by me (BlueShadow) and Dr James.

http://www.preludeonline.com/showthr...threadid=61135