JDM framerails vs USDM, CDM framerails

[steve_o1989]

I was browsing through some import sites and noticed something.. The JDM framerail is different than the USDM, CDM frame rails.

http://www.japanautodirect.com/stock/24th%20October%2006%20001%20(26).jpg

http://www.japanautodirect.com/stock/jpaanese%20car%20imports%20nissan%20silvia%20(26). JPG

Notice how there is a break between the front and rear framerails? I couldn't find a picture of any North American 240's, but everycar I have seen here has another piece that connects the back of the front frame to the front of the rear frame. If someone has a picture it would be great if you could throw it up to show those who don't know what I am talking about..

My question is why is there a difference? Why would they have a frame that runs the whole length of the US, Canadian cars, but not do this on the JDM cars? It just seemed weird to me.

[drift freaq]

I was browsing through some import sites and noticed something.. The JDM framerail is different than the USDM, CDM frame rails.

http://www.japanautodirect.com/stock/24th%20October%2006%20001%20(26).jpg

http://www.japanautodirect.com/stock/jpaanese%20car%20imports%20nissan%20silvia%20(26). JPG

Notice how there is a break between the front and rear framerails? I couldn't find a picture of any North American 240's, but everycar I have seen here has another piece that connects the back of the front frame to the front of the rear frame. If someone has a picture it would be great if you could throw it up to show those who don't know what I am talking about..

My question is why is there a difference? Why would they have a frame that runs the whole length of the US, Canadian cars, but not do this on the JDM cars? It just seemed weird to me.

Simply put Federal crash safety standards! USDM and CDM cars have to stand up to more stringent crash safety standards than their Japanese counterparts.

P.S. though we call them frame rails in a sense technically they are more like subframe rails, attached to the Unit body for extra strengthening. Our cars technically do not have frames because the are Unibody construction.

[LongGrain]

Simply put Federal crash safety standards! USDM and CDM cars have to stand up to more stringent crash safety standards than their Japanese counterparts.

bingo :bigok:

[SoSideways]

The Japanese government and the US Government have different standards as far as crash safety goes, and that part isn't really needed on the JDM chassis because cars are unibody, which means that part of the rail isn't even really part of the frame due to the entire car being a frame, at least that's what I understand the theory to be.

Edit - Damn you two for beating me to the reply :)

[steve_o1989]

P.S. though we call them frame rails in a sense technically they are more like subframe rails, attached to the Unit body for extra strengthening. Our cars technically do not have frames because the are Unibody construction.

Yeah I understand that it is a unibody car and that those rails aren't the actual main structure of the chassis, like it would be on a truck, but instead works to act as a brace to improve strength and rigidity. I also realize that they are part of the unibody structure (spot welded) opposed to a truck where you can remove the body from the frame. I am just to lazy to type out "subframe rails" lol. Thanks though.

[steve_o1989]

If this is required by our crash test safety standards, why is there no issue when it comes to importing these cars from Japan? You would think that it would be necessary if they had to incorperate that change in to the US chassis.

**I know that importing these cars isn't easy in the states with the 25 year import law, but in Canada it is a 15 year law, so there is a fair bit of JDM cars here. Just figured I would point that out.

[kdashy]

If this is required by our crash test safety standards, why is there no issue when it comes to importing these cars from Japan? You would think that it would be necessary if they had to incorperate that change in to the US chassis.

Most imported S a R chassis are not here legally and/or not registered as road cars.

[yokotas13]

Uras makesa frame rail extensions :)

[drift freaq]

If this is required by our crash test safety standards, why is there no issue when it comes to importing these cars from Japan? You would think that it would be necessary if they had to incorperate that change in to the US chassis.

**I know that importing these cars isn't easy in the states with the 25 year import law, but in Canada it is a 15 year law, so there is a fair bit of JDM cars here. Just figured I would point that out.

Well for the most part its technically not legal to import Japanese version here. Like Kdashy stated pretty much most if not all are here illegally. Anyone who states its stateside legal is basically deceiving someone and or themselves as well. When it comes right down to it its not DOT legal, its not EPA legal, period.
Does this stop people from bringing cars in hidden in containers either half cut or wheels removed to claim it as parts? No. Does that make it legal? No.

[KA-T_240]

If you really want, I got pics of the USDM "frame" rails I can post up.

[Ninjabread]

Hmm that's actually really cool if you want to run a side exit exhaust :)

[sephiroth99]

If this is required by our crash test safety standards, why is there no issue when it comes to importing these cars from Japan? You would think that it would be necessary if they had to incorperate that change in to the US chassis.

**I know that importing these cars isn't easy in the states with the 25 year import law, but in Canada it is a 15 year law, so there is a fair bit of JDM cars here. Just figured I would point that out.

The canadian 15-year law is there precisely for that. The car doesn't have to comply to any canadian safety law if it is older than 15 years old.

But the car still must comply with any provincial laws through OOP inspections (example LHD headlights, etc) when you want to plate it.

[johngriff]

Yeah, I heard B/C officials were thinking about creating laws to re-ban the japanese imports.

[fbiphil]

With all of the muscle car guys with unibody cars installing subframe connectors, I guess us USDM 240 guys can rejoice in needing one less part for our cars!!
There's got to be at least SOME benefit to rigidity by having the front and rear subframe rails connected, don't you think?