Okay, now this does not mean that you dont need the crash test results but here are some (or all?) of the requirements that the DOT says you have to follow in order to bring a JDM car over here. One thing I do remember though is that you might gotta change the glass. I think this mainly pretains to cars that are already out here(eg 240SXs Civics ITRs), but who knows. Well here it is. *edit* I didnt make this crap up so chills, here is where I got it from, http://www.automotiveconversion.com/. If you dont belive me still here is the DOT webpage I got it from http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/graymarket_RI_list01132004.html

1) Remove and replace the speedometer
2) Install a warning light with the word "BRAKE" into the speedometer
3) Replace headlight assemblies with DOT certified lights
4) Install a high mounting, third brake light
5) Modify/Replace door locks with US certified door locks
6) Install a tire information label
7) Replace the passenger side mirror to reflect "OBJECTS IN MIRROR ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR"
8) Install a seat belt & key warning buzzer
9) Install door beams into the doors to comply with side impact protection regulations (FMVSS-214)
10) Install a rollover valve
11) Install engraved VIN (vehicle identification number)
plate
12) Install VIN location label
13) Install a certification label
14) Remove and document bumpers
15) If necessary, modify and reinforce bumpers to comply with US federal bumper standards (FMVSS-581)
16) Determine if there are any outstanding recalls on this vehicle
17) Remedy all outstanding recalls
18) Submit a compliance package to the DOT, documenting with photographs all the modifications performed to bring the vehicle into compliance with all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

Very informative. Cheers.

Nice post. That's a lot of work, too. You have to have the materials to do all that, and paid laborers to do the work.

Maybe now people won't get upset when they see Motorex's prices.

To me, alot of those things arent that hard, because I got a good amount of experience at an auto body shop, which specialized in imports, but for those with no experience, it could be hard. Oh yea dont forget the crash test results :p

4) Install a high mounting, third brake light


Not sure if item 4 is actually required...

I know that my car doesn't have the third brake light...

maybe the rumors are true and Motorex has been cutting corners and didn't install it on my car...

I really don't want this thread turning to shit. So in that light I've pruned it and gotten rid of off topic posts.

If your post was deleted that is why it was. Let's keep it on topic. Want to discuss something else start a new thread or go to the proper one.

No further notices will be given for this thread. Post crap get a 5 day holiday from the boards simple.

Ok, I was going to post a question similar to this one. I have heard that you can import a skyline and have up to a year to actually legalize it. Is that true? And if you can... Does it have to stay at the port where it was Shipped or can you take it home. Reason for me asking is because i work at a body shop and all the legalizing mods needed would be easy enough for me too with out going through motorex. So would it be possible to buy one ship it.. take it to the shop .. do all the work and get it aproved?

ok simply put NO for the short version. Please refer to the sticky's and other threads on this subject.

End of discussion.

my post was just a simple fact...

thanks razor, what are people talking about then about being able to keep the car for a year before legalizing it?

thanks razor, what are people talking about then about being able to keep the car for a year before legalizing it?

Thats what I was wondering too, because I was just on eBay and I seen a RHD FD3S in Las Vegas, a S13 k's and a Tommy Kaira :eek: S13 in Florida.

thanks razor, what are people talking about then about being able to keep the car for a year before legalizing it?


I believe if you read the stuck thread "Skyline Importing I've done it" that would have answered this question.

sweet..... i already have a crash test data for a skyline...thanks to homeboy in this forum. so what your saying is that all i need to do is prove that i have all this stuff in the skyline...and i get my r32 legalize legit?

Nope not that easy. If it was, there would be a lot GTRs in the states.

He did not mention the EPA testing. You have to send your car on a transport to each of the gov't facilities for the car to be inspected, and you have to pay the gov't for your tests, which are not that cheap. Plus loads of paper work, and if you fill one out wrong, guess what happens then :uhoh:

so what your saying is that all i need to do is prove that i have all this stuff in the skyline...

Unfortunately, you are not allowed to prove this. A RI is the only one allowed. Because they have to confirm that the work was done or was done correctly by someone previously. The Gov. doesn't actually inspect anything but the paperwork. Which is why if one tiny detail on the paper work is incorrect, you get to start all over getting the paperwork through.

You have to get a licenced RI to do/look at the conversion and a licenced EPA testing facility to do the emissions test. Then once they confirm it fits US standards the paperwork starts going.

Unfortunately, you are not allowed to prove this. A RI is the only one allowed. Because they have to confirm that the work was done or was done correctly by someone previously. The Gov. doesn't actually inspect anything but the paperwork. Which is why if one tiny detail on the paper work is incorrect, you get to start all over getting the paperwork through.

You have to get a licenced RI to do/look at the conversion and a licenced EPA testing facility to do the emissions test. Then once they confirm it fits US standards the paperwork starts going.

Good point, I forgot about that part. I believe they do the EPA testing in Mich, or Virgina.

Good point, I forgot about that part. I believe they do the EPA testing in Mich, or Virgina.

The EPA is in virginia, and it cost 5k to get done, there are other states currently trying to establish such ethics that EPA has as far as testing cars, but the items or machinery needed is very expensive!

sweet..... i already have a crash test data for a skyline...thanks to homeboy in this forum. so what your saying is that all i need to do is prove that i have all this stuff in the skyline...and i get my r32 legalize legit?

I'm suprised you got it considering it is censored by MotoRex. However in saying that I would seriously doubt you have the correct information. If you do odds are once MotoRex finds out the lawsuits will fly and unfortuneatly you'll be in the firing line along side the person who supplied it to you.

Best of luck but remember one thing alls fair in love and war. I hope your pockets are deep.

how can they put a lawsuit against him and they said nothing to anyone as far as we know! And other companies can do the same thing Motorex is doing! Now I am just wondering, if some other company does do this can motorex sue them for something they told no one how to do?

I'm suprised you got it considering it is censored by MotoRex. However in saying that I would seriously doubt you have the correct information. If you do odds are once MotoRex finds out the lawsuits will fly and unfortuneatly you'll be in the firing line along side the person who supplied it to you.

Best of luck but remember one thing alls fair in love and war. I hope your pockets are deep.

He has the crash data from that R33 GTSt that everyone else has, which don't mean crap, since it does not going into how the car was prepped for the crash test. He really has nothing.

how can they put a lawsuit against him and they said nothing to anyone as far as we know! And other companies can do the same thing Motorex is doing! Now I am just wondering, if some other company does do this can motorex sue them for something they told no one how to do?


If it is the proper crash test data MotoRex sactioned, they've made the company that did it sign a confidentialty form. Hence the data everyone so desperately wants, is unavailable.
If it is on an R33 GTS25t MotoRex didn't do it. They did GTR's. I used to have some old emails from Sean about it, though nothing was mentioned directly what was all involved as one would imagine. This is going back some 4 years ago. Actually come to think of it, during our phone conversations I don't remember him ever saying they crash tested anything outside the GTR.

If no one posts the info, I'll do that when I get back from work:)

Razor,

http://dmses.dot.gov/docimages/pdf42/69793_web.pdf

This is the info that I was reffering too. Its an GTS 2.5, right? From what I know, MotoRex did use this data, but I could be wrong.

I'll dl it and have a read. I'm at work right now so will have a look in about 7 hrs or so from this post.

I had a good read through the testing report. I've found however some rather disturbing conflicts.

#1. They say GTR when in fact what they are testing is a GTS25t. Not with standing that the front and rear bar are different between the two. This is a major structural part of the front end. The front chassis rails are also different though not much they still are. The GTR has slightly heavier ones which I suppose is good considering.

#2. J.K. Technologies goes on to say the car tested is only different to the S15 or 240sx in the engine and trans mounting points. Again this is also wrong. The front bar's are different, the chassis rails, entire body, structure of the body, undercarrage chassis to name a few. All are critical structural points.

Outside that this is only A PETITION, with results of an independant crash tester. I wish i could understand most of it but the results are beyond my knowledge of what is good and bad. It reads more or less like stereo instructions to me.

My personal opinion is I doubt MotoRex used this, although heck they very well could have. The fact the way JK describes the car differences though could be the biggest hurdle if disclosed.

Now this is the petition part. This does NOT include the modifications that were performed to the car and the resulting testing afterwords. I know from conversations with Sean MotoRex crash tested no less than 5 GTR's. This not being a GTR leads me to these conclusions.

If it possible they did a pre-emptive test on a GTS just to see who skylines in general would stack up, before they went and spent big dollars on crashing a GTR. Given the cost of a GTS vs a GTR, its something I would certianly consider doing.

It would also explain why this information is then so easily avliable, its effectivly useless.

Good point Moppie.

I could have sworn MoteRex had some ties to this crash test, but it has been a while since I was really reading up on all that stuff.

Sean would know, since it was more or less his baby.

He would at that.

MotoRex does have ties but as mentioned it was for a petition not the actual testing needed to pass the compliance. I suppose if someone could desipher it properly they would have a clue as to where to start but honestly unless you can see what gave out and what didn't how are you going to know where to improve it?
Makes for a complex arguement anyway you look at it.

He would at that.

MotoRex does have ties but as mentioned it was for a petition not the actual testing needed to pass the compliance. I suppose if someone could desipher it properly they would have a clue as to where to start but honestly unless you can see what gave out and what didn't how are you going to know where to improve it?
Makes for a complex arguement anyway you look at it.

I totally agree, that is why I said that firefighter does not have a good source of information to use.

after four months this thread was brought back to life? I came to relize that if you can afford to pay Motorex for a skyline, then theres no point in trying to come up with devious plots to get one in the USA. Advetually customs will find you and send your skyline to Mars. Honestly people, let it go.