Importing a EU spec 240SX to the US, questions

[Hylander]

Hi!

I think I never posted anything here, but have been reading for a while :-)
So hello, first of all!
I'm a German guy, currently living in Germany with my American wife, and we'll be moving to Boston for good in July. We have 3 S13s in the family (and an ED7 Honda Civic :)), and we're currently debating whether we should ship her SX to the States.

Problem is, we keep hearing horror stories about customs, some say they just impound your car for 6 weeks (at 150 USD a day "parking" fee), or sometimes they can just say "nope", and send your car back to Europe (at your expenses of course).

So we really, really want to avoid any hassle like that, and I thought I'd ask around here if anyone has some advice for us. We're not sure if shipping it will happen at all, but if we can reduce the hassle to just the amount of shipping costs, we might go for it.

As for the car, it's a 1991 200SX (we call 'em that here ;-)) with a CA18DET engine. Has a large FMIC, a T28 Turbo from me recently departed S14, bigger fuel pump, colder plugs, and a nice 3" pipe from the turbo back, without a restricting catalytic converter.

Now I'm assuming the latter might be a problem, but I still have all the original parts and can fit it back, no problem.

If importing the car poses a big problem, I was considering just shipping the engine and transmission over in a crate, and then buying a fitting shell here in the States. Would this be more feasible? What restrictions would apply here?

Thanks in advance, any help is greatly appreciated!

Ciao,

Thomas

[JeremyR]

strip it down and ship the pieces over. shells are dirt cheap.

[Hylander]

I was considering that, but I'm not so sure how much it would have to be stripped, after reading this here:

"Any items included in the assemblage that are subject to an FMVSS (brake hoses, brake fluid, glazing, lighting equipment, seat belt assemblies, tires, rims) that were not manufactured to comply with the applicable standard, and/or were not so certified by their original manufacturer, must be removed from the assemblage and exported or destroyed before entry"
(Source: Importation and Certification FAQ's Directory--All Vehicles (http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/FAQ%20Site/pages/page2.html#Anchor-42790))

Now, how do I know what items do or do not comply with these FMVSS regulations? Stripping tires, lights, seatbelts and brake hoses seems like a bit of a hassle, especially the latter. I mean, I can do it, but what if they then say "ooh, but look at this brake master cylinder here, that looks non complying!".

Also, the problem with stripping is (according to the same website) that you can't ship engien/transmission and the shell in the same container, since they then consider it a full vehicle again when it comes to regulations :(

[KansaiDrifter]

Oh I think xdarkrune meant to strip things like your ca18det engine/transmission, any aftermarket parts off your 200sx and ship just those over to be installed in a 240sx over here. Those are a common swap for us and very little modification needed really. There are lots of shops around that could do it all for you too. For us that's probably the easiest way to enjoy your 200sx over here.

One thing you might do is locate a good shop in the Boston area and ask them about importing your car. They can maybe help you bring the whole car over.

[Hylander]

Hm, yeah, that might be a good option, especially since the car only has engine mods so far, no fancy rims/suspension/etc. Well, brakes are upgraded, but also easy to salvage.

Wonder how much shipping would cost for such a package...

So, putting a CA18DET in a 240 in the states will be okay with the local law? Will I get problems at an inspection, or with the cops? How does it work over there?

[negrosx13]

inspection might be little issue but nothing that cant be hooked up with im sure.
only in cali is where smog laws are crazy!

As for the swap,from my understand. It should no problems

[sirfallsalot243]

Hm, yeah, that might be a good option, especially since the car only has engine mods so far, no fancy rims/suspension/etc. Well, brakes are upgraded, but also easy to salvage.

Wonder how much shipping would cost for such a package...

So, putting a CA18DET in a 240 in the states will be okay with the local law? Will I get problems at an inspection, or with the cops? How does it work over there?

If you want to get technical about it... Any SR/CA/RB is illegal in the states. Technically you *shouldnt* pass inspection with it. But as you can see from this forum, LOTS of us have done these swaps, and theres always a way around whatever is holding you back. For me, Ill be swapping in an SR20 with the original guage cluster from the car that the motor came from. When its time for inspection, ill swap my stock cluster back in. In my state (and im sure others as well), if you drive under 5000 miles a year youre emissions exempt. Thats my plan, yours may need to be different for your situation, but in short- You shouldnt have any issues with police or inspection with a swapped motor... at least not in Boston. California is a different story...

The toughest part of it will be titling and registering your UK car, if thats the route you decide to take. It CAN be done, but it can be a pain in the ass.

[Corbic]

You can not import the car leagally.

/thread

It is no different then trying to import a S3, RS4, Polo et al.

[sirfallsalot243]

You can not import the car leagally.

/thread

It is no different then trying to import a S3, RS4, Polo et al.

Easy pal, I think youre jumping the gun there.

You are correct that there is no way to import the car 100% absolutely no problems whatsoever legally. But thats not to say it hasnt been done. Lots of people have imported cars of all different types, and many have gotten them registered and insured. So just saying "you cant do it, end thread," well, makes it sound like someone pissed in your coffee. Hell, my S14 was originally imported from Mexico City.

If a cop can pull you over in your imported car and you dont get it towed.. that qualifies as "legal" in my book. Theres a way around anything. Dont just say "nope, cant be done."

[Hylander]

You can not import the car leagally.
/thread
It is no different then trying to import a S3, RS4, Polo et al.

Interesting. So what *are* the regulations exactly that prevent one from importing? You cannot import *any* cars to the states legally? Ever? Or just none of a certain age, region, etc.?

I'm really interested in getting to know this. E.g. in Germany, we don't have any restriction of importing I know of *but* we have very strict restrictions on getting the car on the road legally. So importing e.g. a 69 Camaro from the states is no issue at all, if you only plan to use it on a race track or put it in your garage. To get it legalized, that's where the hassle starts, with individual emission tests that cost thousands of dollars, getting every part tested, lights and windows changed, etc etc.

If this is the same in the states (that legalizing is the issue), I might consider shipping the car and then taking my time to modify it to meet all your regulations, or maybe just only run it on the track.

As for running the car "illegally", what are the implications of that? I mean right now, my car isn't street legal either (exhaust too loud, no cat, raised HP which is not legal in Germany, etc etc.). But if the police here stops me, all I get is a slap on the fingers and the order to put it all back in original shape within 4 weeks, which I could and would of course comply with. But these things rarely ever happen, I never got stopped....

[Corbic]

Interesting. So what *are* the regulations exactly that prevent one from importing? You cannot import *any* cars to the states legally? Ever? Or just none of a certain age, region, etc.?

I'm really interested in getting to know this. E.g. in Germany, we don't have any restriction of importing I know of *but* we have very strict restrictions on getting the car on the road legally. So importing e.g. a 69 Camaro from the states is no issue at all, if you only plan to use it on a race track or put it in your garage. To get it legalized, that's where the hassle starts, with individual emission tests that cost thousands of dollars, getting every part tested, lights and windows changed, etc etc.

If this is the same in the states (that legalizing is the issue), I might consider shipping the car and then taking my time to modify it to meet all your regulations, or maybe just only run it on the track.

As for running the car "illegally", what are the implications of that? I mean right now, my car isn't street legal either (exhaust too loud, no cat, raised HP which is not legal in Germany, etc etc.). But if the police here stops me, all I get is a slap on the fingers and the order to put it all back in original shape within 4 weeks, which I could and would of course comply with. But these things rarely ever happen, I never got stopped....

Vehicle Importation and Certification Requirements (http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/CARS/RULES/IMPORT/)

And the link to eligible vehicles.
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/CARS/RULES/IMPORT/elig123109.pdf

I'm not trying to be a dick, but this topic has been covered to death. Many will cite stories of bringing in a car, and even registering it, but that does not make it legal and you will always have to be concerned about future legal issues.

The Nissan 240sx is on the eligible list, you will have to dig down to find out what that means and what it would cost to get the car certified. However, a word of caution, a European Nissan 200sx, as far as customs is concerned, is NOT a Nissan 240sx. Also, it only lists the 1988 240SX, so I'm guessing Canada got a model year 1988 while we started in 1989 and someone petitioned that the '88 is the same and should be eligible.

If you look at the list, almost 99% of the cars are sold in the US as well as overseas with their oversea counterparts only have slight differences, like glass lights, or no fender turn signals.


Also, you can't import it and modify it your self. It will be held in customs and most be modified by a registered importer who is certified to do the required work. Once then, you can pick up the car. I've lived in Europe and we took a car there, and brought one back. In our case it was a 1992 Volvo coming back, and it took 4 weeks and $2,500 to bring it into compliance.

Honestly, Sell the car, and buy one State side, plenty of nice swapped cars here for $6,000.

[airhead]

i was looking into this also.

im wondering why only a 88 nissan 240sx ?

[Corbic]

i was looking into this also.

im wondering why only a 88 nissan 240sx ?

As I stated, I'm assuming a KA24E 240sx was sold as a 1988 in Canada or Mexico, this would make it the same as a 1989-1990 240SX sold in the US, only marked with a different model year. The Feds only have a 89-90 on the books so a '88 Model year would be a red flag or have a vin that does not pull up in systems.

Remember, regardless of chassis similarities, a 180sx, 200sx and Silvia are NOT and never WILL BE legally a 240sx as far as the Gov'met is concerned.

[Hylander]

Vehicle Importation and Certification Requirements (http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/CARS/RULES/IMPORT/)

And the link to eligible vehicles.
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/CARS/RULES/IMPORT/elig123109.pdf


Interesting stuff, I'll look into it, thanks.

I'm not trying to be a dick, but this topic has been covered to death. Many will cite stories of bringing in a car, and even registering it, but that does not make it legal and you will always have to be concerned about future legal issues.


No no, it's okay, I really do want to understand what the regulations are. Not necessarily because I want to keep to all of them ;-) but always good to know where you stand.

If you look at the list, almost 99% of the cars are sold in the US as well as overseas with their oversea counterparts only have slight differences, like glass lights, or no fender turn signals.


Anywhere I can see *what* the differences are, and how they could be changed to US spec?

Also, you can't import it and modify it your self. It will be held in customs and most be modified by a registered importer who is certified to do the required work. Once then, you can pick up the car.

Holy shit, really? I can't change the damn blinkers myself or whatever part they might have a problem with? That's...strange.

I've lived in Europe and we took a car there, and brought one back. In our case it was a 1992 Volvo coming back, and it took 4 weeks and $2,500 to bring it into compliance.


Ouch, yeah... that won't happen for the SX :)

Honestly, Sell the car, and buy one State side, plenty of nice swapped cars here for $6,000.

Yeah, I'm guessing that's the way it will go. But no buying a finished car for me, messing it with is half the fun (actually most of the fun :-D).

But hold on... a swapped car is legal for you guys then? So if I buy an American 240SX in swap in a Japan sourced SR20DET, that's okay? Or would it have to be an American engine, too (Those LS1's look mighty nice ;-))

Thanks again,

Thomas

[Corbic]

But hold on... a swapped car is legal for you guys then? So if I buy an American 240SX in swap in a Japan sourced SR20DET, that's okay? Or would it have to be an American engine, too (Those LS1's look mighty nice ;-))

Thanks again,

Thomas


SR, CA, RB are all illegal.

However, only states or counties that "emissions" check will ever catch you or care. States like California and New Jersey. I don't live in an Emission state so I can't exactly tell you how that works or the hoops those guys jump through.

My understand is that in some counties in California you have to go to a check station every 2 years. They pop the hood first, they have a picture of every engine bay in a data base, if yours does not look like the one in the picture, you fail and pay like a $200 fine and can't update your cars registration till it passes.

If you can pass the visual, they then hook you up to a sniffer to see what the car is burning emission wise. If that fails, you get a "Fix-it-ticket" and once again, can't re-registrar the car without passing.

Other areas get all bent out of shape and issues tickets if you are not running cat's et al.