Importing an S15 Silvia WITHOUT Violating The Clean Air Act?

[demeor]

Greetings everyone!

I've used Zilvia before to find information (and it has been quite useful), but I never made an account for the forum. So although my account is new, the forum itself is certainly not new to me.

So what I've been thinking about over the last few months is cars, like R34s, S15s, JZX110s and the like being imported from Japan into the US through the "kit car" loopholes.

Now before anyone begins to post saying that I need to read a lot more about US importation laws and FMVSS and all that jazz, I'd like to let you know that I have done all of that research over the course of YEARS and I can assure you I know this information.

Yes, I know about FMVSS (I've read the documents that detail the necessary modifications for the R33s), EPA regulations, the WHOLE STORY of the Motorex fiasco (minus a few undisclosed details here and there), Sean Morris and his mesmerizing amount of knowledge, Kaizo Industries, VIN swapping, kit-car loopholes, Show & Display, Florida's JDM abundance & DMV shadiness, Canada's 15-year import ban (and that it's allegedly being increased), and all of the details to the US's 25-year import ban not to mention how this regulatory disaster is all the doing of Mercedes in the 80s.

Yes, I know what to look for when looking to buy a JDM vehicle in the US (HS-7, EPA 3520-1, Customs 7501, and the infamous approval letter from the NHTSA, known as the bond release, that mentions the vehicle's VIN and eligibility number).
Yes, I know an illegal car can be seized at any time by Homeland Security.
Yes, I am aware that if an illegal car is never seized that the owner can still be arrested for insurance fraud if they get into an accident.
Yes, I know there are about 60 Motorex R33s, 12 Motorex R34s, and ONLY ONE OBD-II MOTOREX GT-R IN ALL OF THE US.
Yes, I know there are NO bond-released S15 Silvias in the US (however, a user named garagelu claims to have a bond-release and proper import documentation for his S15).
There is more that I know, but this is just to give you an idea.

Oh, and might I mention that as of October 25th of 2015, there are officially TWO OBD-II-equipped BCNR33 Skylines (GT-Rs) in ALL of the US. Don't believe me? Look up Rivsu Imports; it's a beautiful blue GT-R LM Limited. Yes, JK Tech did everything.

ANYWAY, to the topic at hand!
So think about this: many whom have imported their R-Chassis cars, S-Chassis cars, JZA80s, JZX110s, among others have done so by removing the engine and transmission from the car and importing the car (body + chassis), motor, and transmission separate from each other. Now, these individual components aren't regulated by the EPA because it does not constitute a "motor vehicle," but it CAN constitute a disassembled motor vehicle. Once they have gotten these items through Customs, they put everything back together and register their car in their state. However, this is a violation of the Clean Air Act, and it makes it easy for the Feds to find these cars if they were registered with their 14-digit VIN. Keep in mind that all of you guys with your SR and RB-swapped USDM S13s and S14s ARE ALSO IN VIOLATION of the Clean Air Act. The key points here are that your cars have 17-digit VINs, your DMV doesn't keep tabs on what kind of modifications you have done to your car, and they don't report to the EPA who in the database is breaking federal law, which thus makes it near impossible and (in a way) pointless to enforce.

So does this mean we should all just replace the VINs on our illegal cars so that Homeland Security doesn't find us?
No, because that doesn't solve the problem with insurance; if the owner of an illegal car with a VIN swap gets into an accident, they will be arrested for insurance fraud (because they lied about what kind of car it was i.e. saying it was a 240SX while knowing it was a car that could not be insured), and they will be charged with Tampering of a Vehicle's Identification Number (or whatever the official name is), which is a federal offense.

Think about this: I would take a trip to Japan to find an S15 body in a junkyard or vehicle grave. When I say body, I literally mean just the body. If it has any components still attached to it, like the subframes, glass etc, they would have to be removed and exported separately. After this, I would have the body refreshed (maybe even reinforced, repainted if necessary) and then exported to the US. Although this may be impossible, it would have to be a body that happens to not have been issued a VIN. The reason for this is so that the body is issued a new VIN by the state when I submit documents for a kit car or specially-constructed vehicle. The S15 body all of a sudden has a 17-digit VIN that was placed without violating federal law. Because it would have all the documentation for a kit car/specially-constructed vehicle, it would most likely be insured as such. Expensive, but solves the insurance fraud issue (as far as my hypothesis goes). Now that I would have the body, I would pick up the components from Customs that I earlier removed from the body. Since we're saying this wasn't a complete body (maybe some components from the engine bay were missing, no back seats, carpeting is gone, badges are missing, etc), I would source all other necessary components to complete the S15 body. To ensure that I don't circumvent the Clean Air Act, I would source a KA24DE with transmission from an S14 to install it in my S15 body. For good measure, I would convert the S15 to LHD (yes, with an LHD S15 dash and an LHD S15 firewall because they do exist), convert the speedometer to MPH, modify the side mirrors for LHD, and add the label on the LHD passenger-side mirror that states "OBJECTS IN MIRROR MAY BE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR." I would also add a 240SX logo to the trunk, one on the dashboard (as many of you know, S15s came with the badge on the lower part of the dash on the passenger side), and I would replace the "S" badge on the hood with a Nissan logo (and figure out how to somehow replace the "S" logo on the steering wheel with a Nissan logo). Once everything is wired up and the car is running, it would be inspected by the DMV and issued a kit car title if it passed.

After all of that, the end result would be an S15 Silvia that is technically street legal as per federal law since kit cars are regulated by states and the federal guidelines for kit cars are basic and open for interpretation. If we delve into the specifics, a specially-constructed vehicle for personal use would not meet FMVSS because it is custom-made. I acknowledge that this sort of project would probably not fall under "specially-constructed vehicle" under federal law, but it does fall under "kit car" as per federal law. This is because a kit car doesn't have to be a kit from a manufacturer; it can be a car that started out as a body and had outside components installed to complete it. From what I remember, it cannot classify as a "kit car" as per federal law if the car was manufactured to the point of completion for sale and immediate use. This is in contrast to an actual "kit car" or something similar where the body is completed and given a VIN but it is not given an engine and transmission before it rolls off of the assembly line. But if the S15 body didn't have a VIN to begin with (for whatever reason, use your imagination), who's to say it can't be a kit car? Nothing in the law says a body can't be used to build a car if it wasn't originally issued a VIN (at least, not from what I remember reading).

Would this be expensive? Depending on how you do it, the price will vary. In the end, you may be paying what the car would cost new. I estimate the cost would be lower compared to importing it through JK Tech, if that were actually possible.
More importantly, this would require a lot of time and effort, since you'd have to vacation in Japan to make sure the body is prepared correctly and then exported along with the removed components a few days after.
But would it be worth it? I understand most would think this is pointless because most don't want an S15 with a KA. A VH41 or a VQ35 is also a possibility. Personally, if I really wanted an SR20, I would do a full JDM swap on a USDM S14a, but I can otherwise live without it if it means having an S15 stateside without issue. Not only that, but it would definitely be a unique S15 :D

What are your thoughts on this? Does it seem viable? More importantly, does it seem like it could actually work?

This is just a hypothetical idea, and probably won't be necessary because I would be able to import a BCNR33 by the time I would be in the market to do this.
Regardless, I'd like to hear your input.

[turboshoebox]

crazy how much work it takes to try to have a s15 here in the states

[kashira kureijii]

dude, this thread is gonna be a shitstorm.

I will say this, that is not worth it at all. not even close to ever being worth it.

First of all how much better do you think an s15 is gonna be compared to an s13/s14 ? not very, plus s15's are ugly, and only look good from the side.

The s15 isn't some jdm godly performance car. no one is going to jack you off for having one, because they'lle just think its a grand prix or some shit.

Just buy an sr swapped 240 its the same damn thing.

Or buy a 240 and swap s15 sr and seats into it and keep on dreamin.

The logistics involved in this is nowhere near worth it for a freakin s chassis that isn't much of an improvement to the ones we have here.

That or move to canada, the logistics involved is probably much more direct.


either way I hope this gets locked or trolled or something, because you're just being silly

s13 is better anyways :keke::keke::coolugh::coolugh::drama:

that or pm turboshoe, I hear he is the resident expert on jdm skylines and such


http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/ag23/neko-romancer95/MS6wX11_zpsqe8jcqho.gif (http://s1297.photobucket.com/user/neko-romancer95/media/MS6wX11_zpsqe8jcqho.gif.html)

[zeitgeist]

Who the fuck is gonna read all that?

[kashira kureijii]

Who the fuck is gonna read all that?

just read the first and last sentences and start yelling!!!!

Thats what I did and I'm a great influence

[ixfxi]

dude, this thread is gonna be a shitstorm.

First of all how much better do you think an s15 is gonna be compared to an s13/s14 ? not very, plus s15's are ugly, and only look good from the side.
The s15 isn't some jdm godly performance car. no one is going to jack you off for having one, because they'lle just think its a grand prix or some shit.


you have no fucking idea what you are talking about. the OP is using his head and at the very least, has ideas. as for S15 looking good or not has nothing to do with this discussion, but you're one of the first, and a minority at that, who think the car is ugly.

I read most of the post, but I think this topic/discussion exceeds the level of intelligence found on this forum. good luck finding helpful insight on this forum.

ps: i dont know why the OP stated that LHD firewall/dash exists, from where? if that was true, LHD headlights would also exist - which as far as I know they do not. Post some links and OEM part numbers, I need proof because as far as I am concerned they do not exist.

[mewantkouki]

Still circumventing the law trying to pass a production chassis off as custom. I'm not sure how export laws work in Japan either as far as de-registering documentation when the car leaves the country of origin either. One of the main reasons why these cars can't make it into the US is that there isn't any crash testing documentation for them. The NHTSA requires a certain number of the cars be crash tested to determine if they meet or can be modified to US spec. Nobody wants to pony up the dough to crash 10 or however many cars they require.

Solutions:

Move to Canada and enjoy the real thing.

Somehow get a donor s15 chassis over here and frankenstein the s15 parts onto the s14 unibody. (roof, rear quarter, trunk, and a hand full of other things)

Nothing about the second choice will be easy but it can be done. The floor panels, trunk, frame rails, rocker panels, and underhood of the two cars are identical. Think choptop hotrod and what would be required to do work of that calibur.

[kashira kureijii]

you have no fucking idea what you are talking about. the OP is using his head and at the very least, has ideas. as for S15 looking good or not has nothing to do with this discussion, but you're one of the first, and a minority at that, who think the car is ugly.

I read most of the post, but I think this topic/discussion exceeds the level of intelligence found on this forum. good luck finding helpful insight on this forum.

ps: i dont know why the OP stated that LHD firewall/dash exists, from where? if that was true, LHD headlights would also exist - which as far as I know they do not. Post some links and OEM part numbers, I need proof because as far as I am concerned they do not exist.

I mean, I could send an s15 to the moon and bury it underneath the moon landing site, claim it was an artifact, and register it in the US, but is it worth it? why go through all the work he described, when he could wait a couple years and get one? seems like a lot of work for little return to me, especially for a simple s-chassis that is going to be legal in 7 years or so. seems expensive to me to do all that, including the amount of effort one would have to do to get the car stripped and all that.

Is he going to talk japanese to all the japanese people that will dissassemble his car for him? is he going to talk to all the customs people, and effectively tackle all the loopholes he mentioned? if a single step didn't work out he would be kinda fucked wouldn't he?

[fatduece]

First of all how much better do you think an s15 is gonna be compared to an s13/s14 ? not very, plus s15's are ugly, and only look good from the side.

The s15 isn't some jdm godly performance car. no one is going to jack you off for having one, because they'lle just think its a grand prix or some shit.


You're crazy. Who cares if the s15 chassis isnt all that significant in terms of performance. Most like the car for its looks. That [email protected] looks cray.

http://www.street-cover.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/IMG_2268.jpg



http://www.street-cover.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/IMG_2290.jpg


http://fatlace.com/lacedup/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/S15_1.jpg


http://www.iputinwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/s15_s13p_gld_800.jpg












Id totally beat my meat to this.:naughty:

[silviamang]

Greetings everyone!


Think about this: I would take a trip to Japan to find an S15 body in a junkyard or vehicle grave. When I say body, I literally mean just the body. If it has any components still attached to it, like the subframes, glass etc, they would have to be removed and exported separately. After this, I would have the body refreshed (maybe even reinforced, repainted if necessary) and then exported to the US. Although this may be impossible, it would have to be a body that happens to not have been issued a VIN. The reason for this is so that the body is issued a new VIN by the state when I submit documents for a kit car or specially-constructed vehicle. The S15 body all of a sudden has a 17-digit VIN that was placed without violating federal law. Because it would have all the documentation for a kit car/specially-constructed vehicle, it would most likely be insured as such. Expensive, but solves the insurance fraud issue (as far as my hypothesis goes). Now that I would have the body, I would pick up the components from Customs that I earlier removed from the body. Since we're saying this wasn't a complete body (maybe some components from the engine bay were missing, no back seats, carpeting is gone, badges are missing, etc), I would source all other necessary components to complete the S15 body. To ensure that I don't circumvent the Clean Air Act, I would source a KA24DE with transmission from an S14 to install it in my S15 body. For good measure, I would convert the S15 to LHD (yes, with an LHD S15 dash and an LHD S15 firewall because they do exist), convert the speedometer to MPH, modify the side mirrors for LHD, and add the label on the LHD passenger-side mirror that states "OBJECTS IN MIRROR MAY BE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR." I would also add a 240SX logo to the trunk, one on the dashboard (as many of you know, S15s came with the badge on the lower part of the dash on the passenger side), and I would replace the "S" badge on the hood with a Nissan logo (and figure out how to somehow replace the "S" logo on the steering wheel with a Nissan logo). Once everything is wired up and the car is running, it would be inspected by the DMV and issued a kit car title if it passed.

After all of that, the end result would be an S15 Silvia that is technically street legal as per federal law since kit cars are regulated by states and the federal guidelines for kit cars are basic and open for interpretation. If we delve into the specifics, a specially-constructed vehicle for personal use would not meet FMVSS because it is custom-made. I acknowledge that this sort of project would probably not fall under "specially-constructed vehicle" under federal law, but it does fall under "kit car" as per federal law. This is because a kit car doesn't have to be a kit from a manufacturer; it can be a car that started out as a body and had outside components installed to complete it. From what I remember, it cannot classify as a "kit car" as per federal law if the car was manufactured to the point of completion for sale and immediate use. This is in contrast to an actual "kit car" or something similar where the body is completed and given a VIN but it is not given an engine and transmission before it rolls off of the assembly line. But if the S15 body didn't have a VIN to begin with (for whatever reason, use your imagination), who's to say it can't be a kit car? Nothing in the law says a body can't be used to build a car if it wasn't originally issued a VIN (at least, not from what I remember reading).


What are your thoughts on this? Does it seem viable? More importantly, does it seem like it could actually work?

.


Hi welcome to the forums OP. I read through your post and it seems like you have a pretty good understanding of what you are already asking. You referenced Kaizo in your post and what you are proposing is just a more elaborate method of doing it. You also mention just getting a bare body that was never issued a "VIN" or model ID number. Which, unfortunately, doesnt exist.

The whole reasoning to getting an imported car federally legalized is for the sole purpose of anyone that is looking into it, whether it be ICE or the DOT, or whoever, will at one point see where everything was LEGALLY done. The proper documentation can be traced to the DMV, then to the importer, then to the exporter, then finally back to the manufacturer.

What you are proposing pretty much stops at the DMV level, if person X decides to look into only to see "oh it was a kit car no big deal" then sure theres no problem. But if they went all the way back, they would see that at one point this car was manufactured by Nissan, and somebody was responsible of removing the ID plates.

There is nothing wrong with Kit cars, but using a car manufacturers body that was not federalized in the first place is, and will always be illegal.

And lastly, you ask if it is feasible. I would have to say no, this actually sounds like the most unfeasible thing to do.

[Matej]

Just import one and put an LHD firewall and dashboard from an S14 in it.
If you truly cared about JDM, you would be willing to do anything. ANYTHING.

[fatduece]

^lmao. Op just buy one from canada and bring it in as parts car. Then do what you want to it and trailer it to the track.

[kashira kureijii]

we should make a which s-chassis is best chassis thread,

because in my opinion kouki 180 aero as well as kouki s14's look a lot better than the s15, in both front and rear.
I also think any s13 silvia looks better in the front and rear.

The only thing the s15 has going for it cosmetically is the side view which it does very well i the body line flow dept., its headlights are kinda gross, and its tails are too

but that's just an opinion

still the idea of doing all this work seems kind of pointless "just to have something unique", especially when in terms of performance the car isn't titanically better than one you could build

[ixfxi]

the thing about all of these RHD cars, is why bother even registering them. Just import it and use it solely as a track car. In the end, there is a reason why these cars are illegal and why they should be OFF OF public roads - because there are too many non-compliant parts. The headlight problem alone is one of the biggest challenges, and I get calls from Canadians all the time seeking a LHD DOT-compliant headlight for <insert JDM car here>.

If I wanted an S15 that bad, I'd buy it, garage it, and track it. There are so many better cars for equal or less money that can be purchased here in the US, BRZ for example.

[fatduece]

BRZ? Ewww. Everytime i her the name I automatically imagine gauged ears, neckbeards, vapes, 24oz monster can. Leave that car to the hoonirocketcockitboyz

[derass]

You also mention just getting a bare body that was never issued a "VIN" or model ID number. Which, unfortunately, doesnt exist.

I don't know if this is entirely true. There was a Chrysler plant close to my high school. They donated a couple of Intrepids without VINs for us to wokr on in auto shop.

buy one from canada and bring it in as parts car. Then do what you want to it and trailer it to the track.

buy it, garage it, and track it.

Is this legal in the US? I saw an S15 at Englishtown recently and was shocked. When I read about the Motorex story, I remember something about it being illegal to import these types of cars even for track/show use.

[KAT-PWR]

you have no fucking idea what you are talking about. the OP is using his head and at the very least, has ideas. as for S15 looking good or not has nothing to do with this discussion, but you're one of the first, and a minority at that, who think the car is ugly.

I read most of the post, but I think this topic/discussion exceeds the level of intelligence found on this forum. good luck finding helpful insight on this forum.

ps: i dont know why the OP stated that LHD firewall/dash exists, from where? if that was true, LHD headlights would also exist - which as far as I know they do not. Post some links and OEM part numbers, I need proof because as far as I am concerned they do not exist.
Agree with the Ixfxiator on the bold.

A company in the Pilipines did LHD conversions IIRC, some oddball country like that... However i doubt they bothered to convert headlights and most certainly not OEM

There are plenty of s15's for sale here in Florida, one was as low as like 14k... None of them are "legal" but Florida does not give a fuck, they remain federally illegal and as such seizeable at any time.

[silviamang]

I don't know if this is entirely true. There was a Chrysler plant close to my high school. They donated a couple of Intrepids without VINs for us to wokr on in auto shop.




Its not, Im sure there were some manufactured for R and D purposes and other bits. But for what the OP was proposing, (Finding one in the "junkyard" and having it stripped) I was just trying to keep it simple. :2f2f:

[ShakotanGazelle]

Is this legal in the US? I saw an S15 at Englishtown recently and was shocked. When I read about the Motorex story, I remember something about it being illegal to import these types of cars even for track/show use.

There's a couple of S15s here in TX, among a bunch of JZX81/90/100, and R33/34s at every major drift event.

I know Parts Shop MAX has had theirs in CA probably longer than it was in JP by this point too lol.

[BossHogg]

Simple case of trying to hard. Do what you want, its not hard. If it gets seized, it gets seized. I don't get why people get scared. It's one or the other. Legal or illegal. Choose one. You obviously know what can happen. Personally I wouldn't go through the hassle for a shitbox s chassis that wasn't sold here. It's just a 240 that never was lol. If your going to break the law, then break the fucking law. Surely not for a s-chassis though. My opinion. I can wait 25 years for a s-chassis...... they are illegal period. I don't get why everyone jumps on this "show and track" use only BS lol. If that was the case.....they would be importing them all the time. Importers wouldn't pass up that dollar.

[Kuma]

do it like a normal person and swap the vins with a wrecked chassis, then swear up and down you did an s15 front and rear conversion.

[burnsauto]

do it like a normal person and swap the vins with a wrecked chassis, then swear up and down you did an s15 front and rear conversion.


Problem with that idea is that most s15 conversions look like complete dog shit, and the one you'd try to pass off looks factory.

Honestly, I'd just be patient if you really want one that badly. 9 years isn't THAT long, lol.

[mewantkouki]

Problem with that idea is that most s15 conversions look like complete dog shit, and the one you'd try to pass off looks factory.

Honestly, I'd just be patient if you really want one that badly. 9 years isn't THAT long, lol.

This guy did it, and yes this is a kouki s14. If you want something bad enough, you'll find a way to get it.

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/uploads/1263324746/gallery_33905_3638_80496.jpg
http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/uploads/1264075374/gallery_33905_3638_38309.jpg
http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/uploads/1266247057/gallery_33905_3638_125829.jpg
http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/uploads/1279445411/gallery_33905_3638_6319.jpg
http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/uploads/1284736683/gallery_33905_3638_139835.jpg
http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/uploads/1284736683/gallery_33905_3638_19806.jpg
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/4/603/1909/39005954011_large.jpg

http://www.driftworks.com/forum/drift-car-projects-builds/104136-my-s14-5-spec-rb.html

[boost]

swapping the sheet metal seems like the easier route

[ixfxi]

they are illegal period. I don't get why everyone jumps on this "show and track" use only BS lol. If that was the case.....they would be importing them all the time. Importers wouldn't pass up that dollar.

because people still want to register them for street use, and thats a big problem. If people imported them as non-registered vehicles that would never be used on public roads, then they would be track only cars.

i could be wrong, though

[mewantkouki]

Don't they have a list of cars that are eligible for import for show & display purposes? Like N1 GTR, and other low production factory cars through the "collector" loophole. I bet you could petition for an autech silvia to be added to that list. Realistically speaking I doubt any 19 year old (OP) on zilvia has the scratch to import a car for offroad / track use anyway.

[mhubeny180sx]

s15's kinda look like pontiac grand am imo.
idk how the rules go in the states, but when you register your car here, its very hard to find a mechanic that will look past the lack of DOT stamped head/tail lights, which I can see being a possible problem.

[Matej]

Why bother importing a stupid dangerous illegal S15 when you can perfectly legally get away with driving a polluting deathtrap 240SX held together with Hoonigan stickers?

[silviasandbeer]

Why bother importing a stupid dangerous illegal S15 when you can perfectly legally get away with driving a polluting deathtrap 240SX held together with Hoonigan stickers?

they make zipties now #progress

[Rustys14]

A company in the Pilipines did LHD conversions IIRC, some oddball country like that... However i doubt they bothered to convert headlights and most certainly not OEM

There are plenty of s15's for sale here in Florida, one was as low as like 14k... None of them are "legal" but Florida does not give a fuck, they remain federally illegal and as such seizeable at any time.


I'm pretty sure that it was a company in Taiwan that was doing the LHD conversions. It used a FRP dash and seemed pretty sketchy form the little research that I did on it. I also highly doubt any of the lights were changed over or that they even bothered to keep the airbags functional.

As for the insurance issue, there are insurance companies (even some of the major companies) that will insure a car with a Japanese vin so you don't really have to deal with the insurance fraud issue.

IMHO if you absolutely have to have an s15 right now, buying a state titled one that's already over here and just accepting the fact the the feds may seize it makes the most financial sense. Lets face it, if you have enough disposable income to have an s15 as a fun car, you shouldn't have too much of a problem assuming the financial risk that comes with having the car seized.

[dorkidori_s13]

or just wait 8 more years when theyre 100% legal for importation... exactly what im doing.

also, there was some statement above saying the S15 isnt any better than the S13 or S14, youre actually quite wrong. the S15 chassis was the pinnacle of S-Chassis development in regards to rigidity and reinforcement. a lot of the updated chassis technology that went into the S15 also went into the 350z/G35 coupe.

also, the S15 is last the S-Chassis that is STILL in good shape! i cant wait to get my hands on a low mileage and well kept S15 in 7-8 years from now that isnt a rolling shit box that requires a TON of restoration!

[tricky_ab]

or just wait 8 more years when theyre 100% legal for importation... exactly what im doing.

also, there was some statement above saying the S15 isnt any better than the S13 or S14, youre actually quite wrong. the S15 chassis was the pinnacle of S-Chassis development in regards to rigidity and reinforcement. a lot of the updated chassis technology that went into the S15 also went into the 350z/G35 coupe.

also, the S15 is last the S-Chassis that is STILL in good shape! i cant wait to get my hands on a low mileage and well kept S15 in 7-8 years from now that isnt a rolling shit box that requires a TON of restoration!

Not to bust your bubble (or anyone else on the forms), but "clean" examples (See true grade 4) are few and far in between as it is now. It took me a sold 8 months of searching for one that fit my criteria, and even then, it still had some of the famous "Nissan Rust" in the engine bay.

I'm curious to see what the market will look like once it's open to the US though.

[Kingtal0n]

Simple case of trying to hard. Do what you want, its not hard. If it gets seized, it gets seized. I don't get why people get scared. It's one or the other. Legal or illegal. Choose one. You obviously know what can happen. Personally I wouldn't go through the hassle for a shitbox s chassis that wasn't sold here. It's just a 240 that never was lol. If your going to break the law, then break the fucking law. Surely not for a s-chassis though. My opinion. I can wait 25 years for a s-chassis...... they are illegal period. I don't get why everyone jumps on this "show and track" use only BS lol. If that was the case.....they would be importing them all the time. Importers wouldn't pass up that dollar.


I know somebody with an S15 who had all of their other S15s and R34s seized by DHS... but was allowed to keep one S15 as a drag car. Courtesy of the DHS. It might still be "illegal" but so is my engine swap, and at the end of the day they can decide on a whim who gets to keep what.

I also know somebody else, who brought in an S15 silvia and converted it to LHD using 240sx parts. The dash is "Squished in" and the door panels dont look quite right, but hey its an S15 in the USA, turbo six speed LHD. He complains about how the car is narrower and doesn't feel as good handling like the S14 did (he auto cross the cars), I guess the "wheel base" is smaller? I am not sure if I am using that word right.

[Zenkipowered]

8 years is a long time

[Mishkin_707]

I read the OP post, why would you put 240sx badging on it? Umm what about the vin on the firewall? I'm assuming those years it would be stamped onto having that cut out would raise a flag, or seven, either way man, it's a bad idea

[KAT-PWR]

Not to bust your bubble (or anyone else on the forms), but "clean" examples (See true grade 4) are few and far in between as it is now. It took me a sold 8 months of searching for one that fit my criteria, and even then, it still had some of the famous "Nissan Rust" in the engine bay.

I'm curious to see what the market will look like once it's open to the US though.

8 years to save dat money
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/02/01/article-2550245-1B225D3100000578-998_634x433.jpg

[Matej]

In eight years they will all be in Canada with 80mm spacers.

[KAT-PWR]

In eight years they will all be in Canada with 80mm spacers.

Are those the $800 ones?

[fatduece]

People saying "wait a few more years and it will be legal" Lol. Good luck. You need to pay attention to whats going on. The constant cry from the left for more strict emission is getting worse. Pretty soon all states will have emission standards like California. When that happens, good luck.

[dorkidori_s13]

8 years is a long time

not really... the older you get, the faster time flies. 8 years gives most of us plenty of time to save the cash to buy one outright instead of having to find someone to finance a 25 year old car.

ive got nothing but time... slowly building an empire and i have tons of things to pay attention to until the day comes.

[dizzariot]

I can't fathom purchasing any car I'm going to put time, money, blood, and sweat into if it can be seized at any moment. I'll be in Japan for three years starting April of 2016 and the first thing I plan on buying is a Silvia K's. At least I know I can bring it back. Would I love to buy an S15? Sure. R32? Of course...but it would be a bigger waste of money than the standard USDM S13 that can be totaled by a grandma in a parking lot.


AND I'm in fucking CA. I'd rather wait until they were under the 25yr-rule and by that time hopefully I'll be out of this Godforsaken shithole of a state.

[EDacIouSX]

you won't be the first person to bring an s15 in to the USA as a kit car. I believe the way the s15 i am speaking of was done was basically just remove the motor and get DOT windows and shipped it over here w/ an empty engine bay and DOT approved windows.

I don't think you really need to swap all that stuff out like badges and what not....



BTW, instead of swapping all that sheet metal over... wouldn't it be easier just to swap over the entire firewall form a s14 over to a s15? lol. ship a beat 240 to japan and swap the firewall then ship it back to the USA haha. half serious here of course. i mean where do you draw the line between VIN fraud and not fraud? That s14 with all the s15 parts is almost the same thing as just swapping a whole firewall except they swapped the s15 parts onto the s14 firewall.

[collegekid]

^why not just cut out the firewall only instead of shipping the whole car?



Honestly, if you really care about owning one and its not some pipe dream you decided to publish on the forum, seriously look into bringing it in as a track only car.

Find out what paperwork you need for that, what channels you have to go through because I know damn well you wont just be able to say "track only bruh" and expect customs to let that slide.



Maybe bringing it in pieces is your better option. I wouldn't even register it. Build it up slowly for the next 8 or 9 years.



I have way too many shitty roads with a million potholes that it has to be illegal. So many dumbass drivers that make my blood boil. And you wanna drive an s15 with them dumbfucks?



Just get your net income up first and keep like 25 grand ready to go if you're serious. This thread has actually given me some ideas, not that I can afford one right now.



Also, don't forget this.

http://bmwmblog.com/man-facing-20-years-250k-fine-for-illegally-imported-nissan-silvia/


If you seriously want one and want to do it legally ( in regards to what corbic said about being a racing organization) then you are going to have to show that you are a motorsports team or something. I doubt a shop is going to say yes to your idea of "hey I wanna import an S15, can I use your business as my excuse for importing this car and telling the government that I'm a race car driver associated with you and its a shop car when I will probably get pulled over trying to go through a McDonalds drive thru in reverse"

No wonder all the federally bonded ones are so much in comparison to the $9000usd price tag on those JDM car import sites

[Hazard240]

Bringing it in pieces is one way to do it.

[Jorgs_7]

This is very interesting, sounds like you're heart set on getting this S15.

I wonder what the average reason is for getting your car seized, traffic stops?

[Corbic]

Is this legal in the US? I saw an S15 at Englishtown recently and was shocked. When I read about the Motorex story, I remember something about it being illegal to import these types of cars even for track/show use.

There's a couple of S15s here in TX, among a bunch of JZX81/90/100, and R33/34s at every major drift event.

I know Parts Shop MAX has had theirs in CA probably longer than it was in JP by this point too lol.

It's still not legal. To import a car for off-road / race-use you would still have to submit paperwork and prove you are a racing organization. If you are Subaru and bringing over your JDM STI WRC car to compete in a few events this year, it's not a problem.

If your a drift-bro looking to tear it up on the weekend, it's not happening.

Yes, I'm sure you can SMUGGLE one in, and then keep in your garage and life will go on. You can also do this and swap vins off a S14 wreck and try and street if as well - equally illegal with the prospect of being confiscated and destroyed.

[LockOn!]

legally get away with driving a polluting deathtrap 240SX held together with Hoonigan stickers?

https://ci.memecdn.com/104/6451104.jpg

[Corbic]

This is very interesting, sounds like you're heart set on getting this S15.

I wonder what the average reason is for getting your car seized, traffic stops?

Internet Searches.

In the past it started with just raiding Registared Importers who did the import work. Motorex and Kazia-whatever come to mind. There have also been others.

Once they do that, they have all the records and just track down the owners.

Traffic stops will nail you for registration fraud and vin swapping. RHD makes you stick out like a sore thumb

A great recent lesson is with the Land Rover Defender community. ICE ended up tracking down and destroying hundreds of Vehicles. Defenders have been made since 1983~ all the way to today. Many choose to import older vehicles as part of the 25 year rule. Many importers buy piles of shit and then restore them in England. You know, new chassis, new powertrain, tires, interior and body panels.

Basically a brand new 1986~ Defender since it's easy and cheap. The problem? Per the FMSV, per ICE, it has to be the orginal engine, frame and body. So these restored trucks are not eligible and where crushed.

Honest, unknowing owners where told to fuck off as well. The days of Motorex "grandfathering" is over. Your Registared Importer fucks up, you loose.


http://wyblog.us/images/landrovercrushed.jpg

[mewantkouki]

or just wait 8 more years when theyre 100% legal for importation... exactly what im doing.

also, there was some statement above saying the S15 isnt any better than the S13 or S14, youre actually quite wrong. the S15 chassis was the pinnacle of S-Chassis development in regards to rigidity and reinforcement. a lot of the updated chassis technology that went into the S15 also went into the 350z/G35 coupe.

also, the S15 is last the S-Chassis that is STILL in good shape! i cant wait to get my hands on a low mileage and well kept S15 in 7-8 years from now that isnt a rolling shit box that requires a TON of restoration!


This is so wrong it hurts. An S-chassis in stock form is in no way similar to a 350z in terms of chassis rigidity and bracing. I think the "updated technology you are referring to is the carbon driveshaft, aluminum subframe, integrated (welded in) gacchiri supports, and lightweight front end parts. (None of which was inherited from the s15.) This is all pretty moot though since you can't compare Z and S chassis.

Here is your pinnacle of S-chassis development in regard to rigidity and reinforcement. :picardfp:

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii280/arcnz/S15RearSubframe.jpg
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii280/arcnz/ChassisRailBrace.jpg
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii280/arcnz/BootBrace.jpg
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii280/arcnz/BootCornerBraces.jpg
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii280/arcnz/BpillarToRearSeat.jpg
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii280/arcnz/CpillarPlate.jpg
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii280/arcnz/Rolloverbar.jpg
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii280/arcnz/rearstrut.jpg

To the untrained eye these are all BOLT in reinforcements. S14 & S15 Shock towers are identical, frame rails & rocker panels are identical, floor and trunk stamping is identical, Front and rear crossmember are also identical to kouki s14

Here are pictures of S14 vs S15 upper frame rail, floor, trunk and engine bay for comparison. See if you can spot the differences other than the rhd firewall because I can't.

https://brickhouseproducts.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/dsc_0018.jpg
http://www.build-threads.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/033.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3935/15578998061_9123f4971f_b.jpg
http://noriyaro.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/noriyaro_tanaka_s15_silvia_02.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i147/dsdfm48/Trunk.jpg (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/dsdfm48/media/Trunk.jpg.html)
http://i59.tinypic.com/2a7tlcg.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v155/Paranoia2MB/Cars/Car%20Interior/f3ec8fe0.jpg
http://i34.tinypic.com/2q8wolz.jpg
http://nissancars.kamikaze-drive.com/SILVIA005E.JPG
http://i60.tinypic.com/slr1ab.jpg
Inner A Pillar reinforcement looks the same too... :ugh:
http://www.tamparacing.com/forums/attachments/jdm-tech/200371d1374453198-jdm-nissan-silvia-s13-sr20det-redtop-front-clip-right-hand-drive-end-conversion-dscn2499.jpg
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd179/HERSHEY6992/S15/028-14_zps81817dbe.jpg

In conclusion, I see nothing worth writing home about aside from slightly better aesthetics, more durable interior trim, and some bolt in braces. :down:

[dorkidori_s13]

im not going to argue, i just know what ive been told and what ive read based on past S15 owners ive known who have built track purposed cars as well as information from nissans tech articles about the car over the years...

but all in all, this thread is pretty much moot seeing as there is NO CURRENT LEGAL WAY TO IMPORT AN S15 SILVIA and register it in all 50 states. beating the system via shady loop holes is cute and all, but once youre caught, youre fucked! the 25 year old law is the ONLY way to legally import RHD JDM cars that weve all desired since its a pretty clear, cut and dry law that really cant be disputed if everything is done properly! wait another 8 years, get an S15 and enjoy the car for as long as you want without ever worrying about the feds showing up at your door and taking your car from you (even though this is complete horseshit that it can even happen).

[boost]

and to add to that, that extra bracing is for the specR (and autech i think)

[nathanong87]

This guy did it, and yes this is a kouki s14. If you want something bad enough, you'll find a way to get it.

lol maybe so, but this sounds* like he's just trying to get his story straight and background right for when the cops stop him, and show them a pic of some wrecked red s14 as the 'before' shot.

[mewantkouki]

lol maybe so, but this sounds* like he's just trying to get his story straight and background right for when the cops stop him, and show them a pic of some wrecked red s14 as the 'before' shot.

Dude lives in Trinidad. The law there says you cannot import a vehicle once it is four years past the production date. He had an s15 and sold it. Couldn't import another into his country so turned a mangled s14 chassis he had into an s14.5 using a rear clip & front conversion. The original thread is on driftworks forums.

[mewantkouki]

Full-Race or Mazworx need to hop in here and set the record straight as far as chassis similarity. I'm sure both of them have cut both of these cars in half or sectioned parts of them at some point in time.

[mhubeny180sx]

vote me for president pls
i abolish 25 yr import rule
ok bye

[kashira kureijii]

vote me for president pls
i abolish 25 yr import rule
ok bye

*spends national budget on spacers*

[Matej]

*spends national budget on spacers*
Sends spacers to Afghanistan.

[kashira kureijii]

Sends spacers to Afghanistan.
:keke::keke: excellent just excellent much better than mine lmao


*Spacer war in Afghanistan makes spacer refugees, allows spacer refugees into country*

[Martino]

Ahh the upsides of living in our igloos lol

https://www.dropbox.com/s/2ikzqbrxk8tvh5w/Martino-%281-of-1%29_small.jpg?raw=1

[KAT-PWR]

Ahh the upsides of living in our igloos lol

[IMG]https://www.dropbox.com/s/2ikzqbrxk8tvh5w/Martino-%281-of-1%29_small.jpg?rawMG]

You don't even have the aero bumper foglight grills

[mechanicalmoron]

So basically, your scheme is to find a chassis with no VIN, and pretend that having a VIN assigned lets you pick what kind of car it is.

This is not legal, and is generally stupid, considering there are not chassis with no assigned VIN floating around - there might be a few, but think pre-production test units and that sort of thing, not something you'll be able to find, much less be allowed to buy. And then you'd need documentation that it really was a VIN-less car, since having no VIN makes it pretty much impossible to identify as, you know, a legitimately VIN-less car - you'd have a lot less questions and suspicion if you just had a japanese VIN and told them to trust you, it's totally legit, than if you had NO vin and tried to pass it off as a different car than it is.

If you have the wherewithal to pull off all the impossible, improbable, and stupid in your plan, you have the money to go and buy a stable of any JDM shit you want legally, under the "super rich collector who buys the law" loophole.

As to s15's being similar to s14's, well yeah sure, but indubitably better, leastways in stock form. An s14 with lightweight parts and a bunch of bracing is still a lightweight braced s14, no?

Like with the land rovers, it would make more sense for an importer to simply do the full-measure, crash and sniff some of the things, and import them properly. It's amazing the lengths that people with the means to do it right will go to in order to do it wrong.

[Martino]

You don't even have the aero bumper foglight grills

Oh....

https://www.dropbox.com/s/clhruzmoj0ahxbu/Photo%202015-12-08%2C%2010%2051%2021%20AM.jpg?raw=1

[slower than you]

Better to have a blatantly illegal S15 and get it seized, than building the worst S15 in the world, and still probably getting seized.

[Martino]

Better to have a blatantly illegal S15 and get it seized, than building the worst S15 in the world, and still probably getting seized.

And the fact that an S14 converted to an S15 body looks horrid not matter which day during the week it is.

[Corbic]

they make zipties now #progress

#hooniganlivesmatter

[KAT-PWR]

Oh....

[Ips://www.dropbox.com/s/clhruzmoj0ahxbu/Photo%202015-12-08%2C%2010%2051%2021%20AM.jpg?raw=1[/IMG]

I was hoping you were going to burn me and say "I do but i'm not running them"
Then you would offer to sell them to me
And i would make purchase
I need them
:-/

[Martino]

I was hoping you were going to burn me and say "I do but i'm not running them"
Then you would offer to sell them to me
And i would make purchase
I need them
:-/

Haha, not a chance :2f2f:

[Kingtal0n]

I had an S15 for about a year. Someone got pulled over with an S14 silvia and it came back to the shop where he bought it from, and I happened to be there at the time with mine. I was told that it would be seized, but they didn't take it at the time. The other fellow was not as fortunate.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a90/kingtal0n/Kingtal0ns_240sx_2/1998KA24DE/th_S15_zps4m8t4uyj.jpg (http://s9.photobucket.com/user/kingtal0n/media/Kingtal0ns_240sx_2/1998KA24DE/S15_zps4m8t4uyj.jpg.html)

I guess we will have to wait. Unfortunate. For now, theres always swapped 240sx :D

[drift freaq]

Wow three pages deep on a subject that was pretty much put to bed on the first page. lol