Anyone want to import R33 Rb26dett from NZ?

[NZskyline]

Hey,

I live in New Zealand
I have a 1997 Nissan Skyline R33 GTST with an RB26dett engine dropped into it, Its done 26,000 miles, full kit and custom blurple paint. RHD RWD. I'm not really too sure what the whole deal is on the importing end in the USA/Canada and im not looking to get schooled on it too hard. I'm just curious to see the level of interest in the car. If you want more details on it you can contact me at [email protected]. The car has had over $40,000 NZD spent on it, with $10,000 NZD spent on it personally. I am looking to sell this car for around 15,000 USD which I think is reasonable for the engine and modifications done to it. Any importation/misc fees would be your expense

[tyndago]

The short answer is that its not legal to import to the US. In Canada they need to wait until its at least 15 years old. Here in the US, we have to wait until its 25 years old to legally import it. Not everyone follows the laws.

[NZskyline]

From what I understood R33 Skylines built between 1996 and 1998 were still allowed to be imported into the USA (I'm not sure if thats with modification by JK technologies or w/e). With not everyone following the laws, does this mean people may still be interested in importing?

[tyndago]

From what I understood R33 Skylines built between 1996 and 1998 were still allowed to be imported into the USA (I'm not sure if thats with modification by JK technologies or w/e). With not everyone following the laws, does this mean people may still be interested in importing?

Does your Skyline have OBDII ? On Board Diagnostics II? Its a requirement in the US from 1996 and up. Your car does not have it. The system is generally not seen in Japan market cars until 2002.

So while you may be able to get by the DOT side, you can't get by the EPA side.

I did the work with JK Technologies when I was at Motorex. I am more familiar with the laws, than anyone else.

Someone might be interested, but you are offering something that is not legal. Knowledge of that, and still selling it to them, I would hold you at least partially responsible if the guy gets the car seized when he tried to import it.

Best bet is 15 years to Canada, or 25 years or older to the US.

[NZskyline]

Yeah, I would not want to be responsible for someone losing their new car, Im not a shadey person. Are the OBDII systems able to be installed in a car, and if so, would someone go to the trouble? Is it a costly proceedure? All this is just out of interest at the moment, it honestly sounds like more trouble than its worth exporting it to the US/Can, though it would be such a cool car for someone to own over there.

[Gold Digger]

Are the OBDII systems able to be installed in a car, and if so, would someone go to the trouble? Is it a costly proceedure?

Since the RB26 was never sold in any car in the U.S., it doesn't have any OBD II system that works for it. I have heard that some companies are trying to retro-fit some OBD II systems from other Nissans to the RB26 engine/ECU. At the moment, it's more trouble than it's worth as you would have to add sensors to the engine itself. You may have better luck selling to Canada in a couple more years. 2012 would be a good year for ya.

[tyndago]

Are the OBDII systems able to be installed in a car, and if so, would someone go to the trouble? Is it a costly proceedure? .

OBD II is a car wide system of emissions monitoring. It is a tip to tail system that uses a lot of sensors to figure out what is happening with the emissions that a vehicle is putting out. The OEM's had problems getting systems to work right in 1996. Most of their OEM systems were not fully functional until around 1999, although you see systems that are missing big chunks of parts until 2001.

The problem would be even once you get the system on the car and working, which we have already done in ~2003, then it all must work, and be tested in Ann Arbor Michigan in front of the EPA.

Once you start adding up costs, no one wants to do it. Just in parts, wiring, extra oxygen sensors, misfire detection, egr, smog pump, catalytic converters, tank pressurization sensors and wiring, ecu, programming, testing, you are about $7500 - $10,000 in a car, if everything goes perfect. Getting the system certified is about another $50k-$100k to realistically do it on the smallest budget possible.

[NZskyline]

Wow thats insane, I cant imagine anyone doing that for a car.. the R33 GTST's go for around 15,000 USD and standard GT-Rs no more than 18,000 USD here in NZ. It would almost be quadroupling the cost of the car to get it road legal. I think Golddigger was right, sell it here in NZ or wait a couple of years and export it to Canada.