Is it legal to import S13 Silvia to US for a non resident?

[svolo4]

Hi guys. I tried to search such topic but found nothing that will answer my question.
First of all: I'm new to forum and I'm from Russia, so please excuse my English and excuse me if i'm posting this to wrong thread.

I'm really need a help with importing my s13 to US. This car was a goal, a dream of all my life, I spent my 2 yearly wages on It and now I am thinking on what to do with it.

So, the situation.
I am currently in Saint Petersburg, Russia. I bought an RHD silvia that was imported about 10 years ago from Japan. I spent about two years to find street legal car (in Russia) car in good enough condition and finally I found and bought one about a year ago.
Last year I spent all my free time and all my money on total chassis rebuild, so now it is almost like new: no any signs of rust, it was sanded to bare metal, welded, then painted, etc...
My wife almost decided to divorce with me when she knew how much I spent on it. This car for me is like a child.


Car had sr20det under hood with gt2871rs, aftermarket ex manifold, Fujitsubo legalis super R turbo back, bolted roll cage, 18x10.5 front and 18x13.5 work equip wheels, full bn sports blister wide body kit and Power FC ECU. This is a list of visible modifications.

So, now about the problem.

Earlier this year my employer (US based company) decided to offer me a job in US, SFBA, California. I am going to move to US before the end of this year and will be there for at least next 3 yrs. I will not be permanent resident of United States. I really want to bring this car with me no matter how much it will cost. I just couldn't leave it here in Russia.

At first I was thinking about selling it here in one pice or by parts, then buying a 240 in US and building it, but I couldn't do it. It's like sell your dog or kid or whatever you love. Unacceptable.

I don't remember exact production date of my silvia, but it is not later than in 1990, so car is 25yrs old now.

The question is: could I import it to US and drive it road legal?

I checked NFTSA website and looks like if car is older than 25 yrs it could be imported even if not compliles with US safety and emmission regulations. Also I saw on that web site that I could import it temporary (1 yr maximum) because I'm non resident of US.

What do you guys think of it?

[Alan240sx]

You can't drive it. You can import them here (Long Beach port) but you cant register them... maybe you can for off-road use but once it touches the streets they will take it away.

California is a great place to live in but for people with the modification itch it really sucks. Nothing is legal

[svolo4]

I heard a lot about strict rules in California, but at least two guys in our office in SF are driving there modified cars.

Is there any way to make it street legal? According to information on NHTSA website any car that is older than 25 years could be imported to US and then be street legal there without any restrictions. But they obviously talking about unmodified cars or cars with minor modifications. I am ready to install oem exhaust system back, deinstall rollcage what else could be illegal in car? Actually, the only two things which coldn't be removed are bodyki (chassis was modified to fit wide rear fenders and engine and transmission.


I really don't want to sell it here or, in worst case, disassemble and sell it here part by part.

[svolo4]

BTW: maybe if I'll bring it as "temporary imported" I can drive it there without US registrations (with russians plates), but it must be exported after one year. Maybe I could drive to Mexico once a year and back to US to temporary import it again?

I'm sure that there must be some way to bring my Silvia to US because I read a blog of one famos russian car enthusiast who is somehow bring his tuned BMW X5M to US, drove it there on streets and car was with russian licnese plates all the time.

[nujabe]

I live in the Bay Area. Not going to happen. California smog laws are way to strict to allow you to register it. Your best bet would be to pay for storage. And buy a stock 240 out here and have fun. Their are tons of cars out here to build and play around with

[svolo4]

Are there any ways to pass smog test with sr20det? Like if I swap oem exhaust bach, put stock turbo, program PFC to mix some super lean air-fuel, 17:1 on idle and maybe something like 15:1 in non-boost range, so emission will be low?

I spent so much time and money on building it and now it is almost completed. I couldn't just leave it here for several years. :(