Greetings,

I'm not new to Rotary engines but I'm not an expert by any means.
Never owned one but use to hang with a group who was really into them so I'm familiar enough.

I will be purchasing a JDM FD in a few months and wanted to register to have access to the large knowledge base here.

Thanks to all of you for being so awesome!

 

Any pics of the car? Must be unique if you are planning to purchase a specific one months ahead of time

 

Not unique per say.
It's just a good deal and the guy agreed to hold it for me while my passport application gets processed. I'd go tomorrow to get it if I had a valid passport.

 

Not to be a jerk - but you are sure you can import a modified RHD into the USA......I thought that was a big no no...

 

Like everything involving importing it's all Grey.
Legally? The EPA says 21yrs unmodified but the letter of the law states engine itself must not be modified. This car has the stock turbo's but a replacement intercooler. The intercooler is not the motor. The exhaust may be 3.5in but the cat is still there and functional. Air pump is still hooked up (or rather will be when I pull up to the border ) So if it was tested for emissions it would get the same as it did in Japan. All things considered.

People see the word "modified" on the EPA form and think any import with an aftermarket wing or body kit is automatically barred. The EPA is speaking about engine modifications relating to emissions. Thats the only authority they have legal precedence over. Not that your car has BBS rims or not. That would be the NHTSA's area of legal authority. And per the NHTSA, anything over 25 is exempt. For importation that is. Now you can still get busted by your state if the car falls outside of DOT regulations for say tires, or headlight height and what not.

Like everything, you run a gamble.
But the odds of me having issue is very low.
Thousands import JDM cars from overseas that have obvious modifications with out any issues.

I'm truly not worried.
The car is engine wise mechanically stock.

 

^^^ Good to know. Importing seems like such a hassle to me unless you go through a broker.


Car looks great tho! Whats the specs on it?

 

It does seem difficult but reality is, it's not that difficult.
It's literally two forms you fill out. You declare the car for import and hand the forms over along with a bill of sale, a title signed over to you, and some form of proof the car is 25 years old. After that you just pay the import tax (2.5%) and your good. You'll receive a form back from the Customs offical with a stamp that says the car was legally imported. Take those forms to the DMV. Register the car. Pretty simple. Unless you live in California where nothing is simple.

In fact I plan to video the entire process from start to finish and post it up on youtube.

As far as specs, it's an original 1992 JDM RX7 Type-R.
Stock engine non-ported, walbro 255 pump and upgraded injectors. Runs up to 16psi but I'll be dropping the boost down to 14 or so as I live in a much hotter more humid climate. I'll also most likely do a meth/water injection system once I get it home. Also the seats are cloth, I'll be swapping them out for some leather racing seats I have.

 

Just curious... Say the engine was modified, how would they ever know without digging into it? And by modified would something as small as an intake or aftermarket BOV/Wastegate be a problem?

Not looking to import anything but always good to know incase something ever did pop up

 

Technically?
Yes an intake could bar you.
Anything that can "change the emissions" is considered modified.
Thats why intakes have to be certified with a CARB number in California. As dumb as that is.

But your not being inspected by a master mechanic who's familiar with the ins and outs of engines and whether or not thats a 12a a 13b or a RB26 motor under the hood. He's got other bigger things to do like try and catch drug smugglers or human trafficers or whatever. And truth be told, he only deals with one or two cars being imported like this a month. As far as he or she cares. As long as you have the proper forms and the car is proven to be old enough to be exempt from the crazier import rules, then let the states trooper who pulls you over deal with whats legal or not on your car.

 

Oh that's nice. Just gotta hope Robo-Cop isn't there waiting for you to inspect the car


Worst case couldn't you just remove the aftermarket parts and ship them over separate from the car, or does the car need to be in running condition?

 

Doesn't have to be in running condition. You can trailer it across the border. Long as its functionally whole ie. no obvious parts missing.

 

The 92's (MY93) are now legal for import as they have reached 25 years. It does depend on the build date, so currently, it needs to have been built 08/92 or earlier.

Enjoy the car, they are a blast. More details on the car!

 

This one was made 04/92 so it's all good.
I'll have more details on the car come Oct. when I go up to look at it.
I'll be doing a youtube series showing how to get it across the border legally and everything involved in importing (by land) as I go through it all.

So stay tuned.

 

Feel free to plug your channel, I'm definitely interested to learn about this. Didn't even realize they were scrupulous about modifications.

 

Well after quite the journey.
She's in Florida now.
Freshly imported from Canada to the USA.
After a two day, 1,400 mile drive. She made it to Florida with no issues.
While I would of loved to film the whole event, it ended up not being practical.
I was constrained with time as well as other things, including being detained by US Customs for an hour.

 

congratulations on the import. kind of late but that "modified/unmodified" thing isnt really a thing. based on what the major jdm importers are selling and with the importation of my own car, there are no limits to what you can bring in so long as it meets the 25yr requirements....

 

I am in the same boat, was thinking of a JDM model, which there are a handful here In California, but everytime I ask the people or importers who have them, I am told I would have to find a way to register it legally and get approval and all (which they quoted me over 20,000). I am just looking for one that I can buy, and drive home. Most the FD's I find are beat to ****, and they want a lot of money for them.

 

If the vehicle is 25 yrs old, you can import it.
No restrictions.

But if you want to register it with a title and get a tag to legally drive it.....well your in Cali...it's a different story.
You must pass smog.
If the RX7 is unmodified and you can find or borrow a pre-cat setup from a USDM model and ecu, you should be able to pass.
Or..register the car in a different state....or you know....don't live in Cali. :P