jmo87

iTrader: (2)

AMEN

user 84205

I guess so one was curious about what I was talking about earlier. I know someone that got a 60's or 70's GTR is the states this way, only 4 or 5 years ago...
I tell you, this is definately worth a try. Even is we just did it with a cheaper car...

neo_omega

We all know that "undisclosed" place is

t-rex7

hmmm... could you mod your 93 with all the parts of the 99? well everything but the vin plate?

user 84205

OH ya what place is that?

user 84205

If you were going to tell customs that you had a car show or just use it for racing they would say this.
At least the emissions wise....

Requirements

You must first receive EPA's approval. Not all vehicles used in races are excluded from emissions compliance. Determinations are based on the capability of the vehicle, not its intended use. Importer must submit the following information when applying:

importer's name, address, and daytime telephone number;
vehicle information (make, model, model year and VIN);
a list of racing features (features that make the vehicle a racing vehicle);
a list of street features lacking (features that have been removed or have never been installed that would permit safe driving on streets or highways);
at least 4 photographs showing the front, rear, and each side view; and if a vehicle with an interior, photographs of the interior;
the name of the sanctioning body and competition class;
a schedule of racing events, including dates and locations where the vehicle will participate;
a copy of the competition racing license; and
other proof that the vehicle cannot be used on streets and highways, such as a letter from a state's Department of Motor Vehicles that explains the vehicle cannot be licensed for use on public roads, and explains why it cannot be licensed.
Importer must file with Customs, upon entry, an EPA Form 3520-1 declaring code "L" and attach EPA letter of approval; and

Importer should keep a copy of the EPA approval letter for future proof of EPA exclusion

RotaryKnight

Even if you bring the car for race or show events it can only be in the states for a specified duration.

Signal Auto has to send their cars back and forth. They race their "chop top" EK and CRX but then after 6 mo it has to go back.

Right now HKS has the Carbon Fiber body Altezza in the states for display..that thing goes back at the end of the year. The 180sx drag car goes back too.

You're gonna pay a lot of money for a car that you can drive for 6mo to a year....and even then the cars brought in are not allowed on the streets.

Signal has their S15 and 180sx drift cars in Torrance, CA right now and those things can't be street driven even though they are street cars in Japan....i tried.

If the cars are caught on the street they will be impounded on the spot.

And to answer the question about why MotoRex charges so much.....they had to pay for the cars to be crash tested....and take care of all the government crap and legal issues.....they deserve to now make a profit on it.

Like I said i'm know the guys and I even priced out a R33....yes it was cheaper than what they normally offer...but not as cheap as you guys think.

user 84205

its pretty cheap over here....

ludeowner

I remember reading somwhere that it would be easy to import a car from Japan if there are similar cars sold like it before in the US like the RX7. To pass the standards you would not need to crash any cars cause the 93-95's were sold in the US before. So you would just find out what was different from the 93-95 in the US and the NEW RX7 sold in Japan.

Here are some of the differences I can think of:
-windshield, rear hatch window
-doors, window and reinforcing beams
-front bumper
-rear bumper

besides those what else on a JDM RX7 is there that doesn't meet US crash standards? what ever you think of can be replaced by used 93-95 parts. Replace all the parts I listed with USDM 93-95 RX7 parts.

once you have done that then all that is left is passing the JDM engine for smog, and since the motor was also available in the US you can also swap out the required equipment so that the JDM car has similar equipment than the 93-95 RX7's.

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

According to lots of dicussion on this topic before, the law reads that the car MUST be crash tested unless "EVERYTHING" is identical to the version that has already been crash tested. Else, it's required to be crash tested again.

Even if everything is the same, the manufacturer must state that to customs it to be valid.

ludeowner

and I was suggesting that you find out what parts on the JDM car is "not legal" and swap it out with parts from the USDM 93-95 RX7 that is legal.

for example the doors, I think the JDM doors dont have side impact beams, but almost certainly the USDM RX7's do. so you swap take off the JDM doors and install the USDM doors.

But like I said before, I remember reading on one of those Japanese importer websites that the car will be easier to import into the country if there were similar models sold in the US. No crash testing needed.

I'm going to sleep now, but I'll see If I can find the website tomorrow.

RotaryKnight

Yes we all know that used GTR are cheap in Japan...that's not my point.

I was referring to the statment made about MotRex ripping everyone off. My point was that even when I priced out a R33 with them though cheaper than what most people are offered it's not a HUGE difference where people think they are inflating the price to be ********.

RotaryKnight

When my FD was stolen and stripped I also asked MotoRex if they could bring in a RHD shell for me to street drive...simple answer ...no There are ways to do it but would not be worth it.

Even ask DRAGON he's in the military in Okinawa with his really nice FD.....it's done up really nice....and guess what when his tour is over so is his car. He's not able to bring it back to the states either. I believe his is a 93 also.

DomFD3S

I agree. Motorex is not ripping people off. Their information and processes are proprietary. They came up w/ a viable solution to meet all government requirements. Therefore, their information is proprietary. They are setting a price on what they determine to be market value for the car here in the US.

DomFD3S

Here is some food for thought:

1) What happens when you get into a accident? Your JDM RX-7 is not up to US specs. What will happen when YOU get hurt because your own car is NOT up to code? Sue the other party? What if YOU were at fault? Then what?
2) What if the car is stolen? How are you supposed to report the car?

"Excuse me, Officer..I'd like to report my car as stolen. BTW, it has xxxx as the VIN number near the window. It has xxxx as the VIN number on the firewall." Try to explain that one! Even if you didn't tell them about this, the police will match the VIN on the dashboard to the VIN on the firewall.

3) Assuming that you purchased the "salvage" titled RX-7 to swap the parts from. When you register the JDM RX-7, you will still need the car to be inspected to ensure proper operation. The inspector will surely notice the different VIN #s.