Jump to content
SAU Community

Importing from AUS

Alf
 Share

Recommended Posts

Alf Proficient

Alf

Posted
Posted

I have some questions about importing a skyline from AUS to the US.

You would think that the US would be snapping up skylines but from what I've heard on US Nissan forums this isnt the case. Apparently the regulations are so tight that only a dozen or so can only be registered in the US per year.

There is hardly any businesses that import lines :cheers:

Ok the questions, Would there be any custom issues when shipping a 33 GTS25T to California?

There is no problem with shipping arrangements to Main beach cali. But what am I to expect in when it enters the US?. :Bang:

I have heard many stories about imports being cut up becoz they are illegal even tho they are not registered. :bs!: I know North America has high standards when it comes to emissions and safety. I've read on US sites saying that RHD cars are not as safe as LDH cars, I think this is just biased BS!. :usuck:

Does anyone know how the US system works.? I've read up on the procedures of importing into the US but i can't work half of it out. They use abbreviations like RI, VSP,VCP,VAS,FMVSSn HS-7 and so on.

The reason I ask about these ridiculous regulations is I may be moving to CA, USA in the near future and the last thing I want to do is leave my line behind and may bring a few more over later on. :ufo:

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/70778-importing-from-aus/
Share on other sites
mini2 Community Regular

mini2

Posted
Posted

Their rules is quite different to our SEVS yet it's based on the same principles - allow cars that weren't released for the market in order to be driven on the road.

In order to register the 'line, it must be imported by the company that does the legalization then handle the conversion. Pretty pricey stuff...

http://www.motorex.net/

zohnny Rookie

zohnny

Posted
Posted

I'm in the US and I can tell you that it is impossible to legalize vehicles from overseas. You have to go thru all the emission test and safety test (ex. crash test, etc) which doesn't make sense at all. I was once tried to import two stroke bike (it's illegal unless 50cc) and I found that it was impossible.

If it was easy to bring cars here, you would see skyline/JDM cars everywhere. All I seen around here is the engine swap from JDM engines or clips.

Why do you want to go through all the hassle? Reason I'm saying is car is really cheap compare to Australia. For example, you can get new 350Z base model for $27k USD or new M3 for around $47k USD.

Alf Proficient

Alf

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Their rules is quite different to our SEVS yet it's based on the same principles - allow cars that weren't released for the market in order to be driven on the road.

In order to register the 'line, it must be imported by the company that does the legalization then handle the conversion. Pretty pricey stuff...

http://www.motorex.net/

The info is much appreciated. :D

The US definitely are missing out on such an awesum car. This monopoly that Motorex has is definitely pricey as I'm discovering.:goddam:

Most of the imports they have brought in have taken more than a year to get on the road. Say If i was to remove the running gear from the car and ship them over seperately as parts, as far as I know this is legal to do in the US (shipping isnt a problem for me). Would this still have to be registered under the import laws.?

If they convert it to LHD I wouldn't do it sorry but that's just wrong.

Also in theory they're right - LHD is safer for the side of the road they're on.

From the skylines I've seen legaly imported to the US, they seem to keep them RHD. :werd:

zohnny Rookie

zohnny

Posted
Posted
Most of the imports they have brought in have taken more than a year to get on the road. Say If i was to remove the running gear from the car and ship them over seperately as parts, as far as I know this is legal to do in the US (shipping isnt a problem for me). Would this still have to be registered under the import laws.?

If you know "someone" in the DMV(Department of Motor Vehicles) you might be able to register it legally. Plus I assume you need to know someone who can pass you state inspect. But if you get an accident or get pulled over by cops and if they finds out, you are in big big trouble(law suit/prison term or heavy fine)

Alf Proficient

Alf

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Why do you want to go through all the hassle? Reason I'm saying is car is really cheap compare to Australia. For example, you can get new 350Z base model for $27k USD or new M3 for around $47k USD.

Why? It's coz i'm putting so much $ and work into the car, esp the running gear. I've driven a 350Z and it's nothing like a skyline, the sentimental value and fact that it's a skyline makes it hard to part with.

When it comes to cars I'm very fussy. If I was to buy a new car I would have to pull it apart and rebuild it to suit the way I like a car to be.

PS: The RB that's being built is almost done so what ever happens it's staying in my sight.

Alf Proficient

Alf

Posted
  • Author
Posted
If you know "someone" in the DMV(Department of Motor Vehicles) you might be able to register it legally. Plus I assume you need to know someone who can pass you state inspect. But if you get an accident or get pulled over by cops and if they finds out, you are in big big trouble(law suit/prison term or heavy fine)

Thanks for the warning, will need more research on the matter :D

zohnny Rookie

zohnny

Posted
Posted
Why? It's coz i'm putting so much $ and work into the car, esp the running gear. I've driven a 350Z and it's nothing like a skyline, the sentimental value and fact that it's a skyline makes it hard to part with.

When it comes to cars I'm very fussy. If I was to buy a new car I would have to pull it apart and rebuild it to suit the way I like a car to be.

PS: The RB that's being built is almost done so what ever happens it's staying in my sight.

I wasn't trying to compare a skyline with a 350Z. I meant most of car in the US is cheaper(except skyline) than Australia. I understand your point though.

If you are bring it for temporary, I think there is way. It was something like personal use that you will be exporting after certain period like one year.(I don't remember well)

I remember reading an article in the Road and Track Magagine that the author brought Honda Jazz to the US for the cross country trip.(It took really long time).

But if you are going to staying in the US permenantly, I don't think it is possible. You might have to buy over priced motorex skyline and start again.

mini2 Community Regular

mini2

Posted
Posted

RBmotoring is another authorized importer.

However there are loopholes with the Canadian laws that allowing R33 to be registered there but whether you are allowed to drive Canadian registered cars in the US of A is another matter altogether.

It's true though, why buy a Skyline when there's Porsche, M3 and other exciting machinery that's overpriced in Australia? I'd drive those if I gonna be in the US then hop back in a Skyline once you return. Make far better financial sense too.

Alf Proficient

Alf

Posted
  • Author
Posted
It's true though, why buy a Skyline when there's Porsche, M3 and other exciting machinery that's overpriced in Australia? I'd drive those if I gonna be in the US then hop back in a Skyline once you return. Make far better financial sense too.

That's a good point.

PS:It's a permanent move.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Similar Content

  • Latest Posts

    • SeanR32GtSt
      Hypergear Turbochargers and High flow Services Development thread

      By SeanR32GtSt · Posted

      I know this one’s the BB one. My tuner did make mention about the actuator. I am curious about the VCT as well
    • hypergear
      Hypergear Turbochargers and High flow Services Development thread

      By hypergear · Posted

      Might also needs a stronger actuator with the right preloading. With older 2019 built bush G3 units, BB upgrade or 21U housing down size makes a pretty decent gain in response as well. 
    • Desean Strickland
      Need help/advice with bearing taper clearance, eccentricity and arp studs.

      By Desean Strickland · Posted

      Hey lads  so im finally putting together my rb30 forged bottom end and ran into an issue. I measured my main bearing clearance with arp main studs torqued to 60 ft-lbs using ACL H series STD size bearings and standard, un-ground crank shaft journals and got an oil clearance reading of about 1.3 thou measuring straight up and down and about 2.8 thou measuring at a 45 degree angle (just above and below the parting line). My machine shop said they measured the main tunnel and it was all within spec (they didnt say the actual measurement) and to go with a standard size bearing, which i have done and the clearance is too tight, I'm guessing because of the extra clamping force from the arp studs distorting the main tunnel. I was wanting to run about 2.5 thou main bearing clearance.  My questions are: 1. could i just use the HX extra 1 thou clearance ACL bearings? that would fix my straight up and down clearance making it about 2.3 thou, but then would the side to side clearance be too big at around 3.8 thou? 2. what actually is the recommended main bearing clearance for measuring near the parting line / side to side. i know its supposed to be bigger as the bearing has some eccentricity built into it but how much more clearance should there be compared to the straight up and down measurement? at the moment there is about 1.5thou difference, is that acceptable or should it be less? 3. If i took the engine block + girdle back to the machine shop and got them to line bore the main tunnel (like i told them to do the first time, but they said it didnt need it) what bearing size would i buy? the STD size bearing shells already slide in fairly easily with no real resistance, some even falling out if i tip the girdle up-side-down. If im taking material out of the main tunnel would i need a bearing with extra material on the back side to make up for it? this is probably confusing af to read so if something doesn't make sense let me know and ill try explaining in a different way. My machine shop doesn't come back from christmas break until mid January, hence why i'm asking these questions here. TIA for any help or info 
    • Kinkstaah
      Mistakes were made, my R34 Story

      By Kinkstaah · Posted

      I bought the model back in Japan in Feb. I realised I could never build it, looked around for people who could build it, turns out there's some very skilled people out there that will make copies of 1:1 cars or near enough. I'm not really a photo guy... but people were dragging me in a group chat for the choice of bumper as someone else saw the car before it was finished as they are also a customer of that shop. I took the photo in the above post because I was pretty confident that the lip would work wonders for it. Here's some more in-progress and almost-done pics. It gives a good enough idea as to what the rear looks like!   I have also booked in a track day at the end of January. Lets all hope that is nothing but pure fun and games. If it's not pure fun and games, well, I've already got half an engine spare in the cupboard 
    • soviet_merlin
      Mistakes were made, my R34 Story

      By soviet_merlin · Posted

      Well, do ya, punk? Seriously though, let's fu<king go! The colour and kit looks amazing on the car. Do you have any shots from the rear? I don't quite follow how the model came around. You bought the white kit and he modified it to match your car? Looks nuts either way!
×
×
  • Create New...