Nissan Skyline GT-R s and GTR Information

Mar 26, 2025

Significant Tariff Increase on Imported Vehicles Effective April 2, 2025

By Sean Morris March 26, 2025 Featured, importing, toprank

Important Notice Regarding Vehicle Imports to the United States

New government regulations will significantly increase tariffs on vehicles not manufactured within the United States, effective April 2, 2025. This change impacts both new and used passenger vehicles (classified under HS code 8703, including cars, station wagons, and racing cars).

Currently, these vehicles are subject to a tariff of 2.5%. However, starting April 2, 2025, any vehicles arriving in the U.S. will be subject to a new tariff rate of 25%. This represents a substantial increase of 22.5% on the value of the vehicle.

This tariff increase aligns passenger vehicles with the existing 25% tariff that has been in place for trucks since 1964.

Impact on Consumers:

As nearly half of all vehicles sold in the United States are imported, this tariff increase is expected to significantly raise prices for consumers on a wide range of vehicles, including those from foreign manufacturers and even American brands that assemble their automobiles overseas.

Effective Date:

The 25% tariff will be applied to all finished cars and trucks shipped into the United States that arrive on or after April 2, 2025.

Current CBP Information (as of March 26, 2025):

Please note that the current U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) information, as of today's date, reflects the existing tariff rates:

Autos: 2.5%
Trucks: 25%
Motorcycles: 2.4% or free

(Source: https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/importing-car)

Important Considerations:

This new tariff will significantly increase the cost of importing vehicles into the United States.
The increase applies to both new and used passenger vehicles arriving after the effective date.
Consumers should be aware of these changes when considering the purchase or import of vehicles from outside the United States.

This information is provided to keep our customers and the automotive community informed of these upcoming regulatory changes. Please stay tuned for further updates.

Buy USA Legal R32, R33, and R34 Skylines at Toprank Importers!
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Nissan Skyline Parts and Toys

Smog Exemption Bill for California : Leno's Law : CARB : EPA

By Sean Morris March 20, 2025 california, CARB, EPA, smog check

Oh, hai!

"Hey there, fellow gearheads! It's me, your friendly neighborhood R32 Skyline GT-R, chiming in on all this chatter about the EPA, CARB, and some bill called SB 712. You know, the stuff that affects us JDM legends.

See, I've been around for a while, and I've seen a lot of these 'changes' come and go. People talk about defunding this, neutering that, and suddenly, everyone thinks they can just roll in and register any old import. Well, let me tell you, it's not that simple.

For over 25 years, my human friends over at Toprank have been doing this dance with the EPA and CARB. They know the rules, they know the hoops, and they know that these agencies aren't going anywhere anytime soon. You think a few whispers in Washington are going to dismantle decades of regulations? Please.

California label in an R34 GT-R , this label means you can title and register legally in California

California, You're a Tough Nut to Crack

Especially California. They've got their own thing going on, and they're pretty serious about it. Since '67, they've had CARB, and they've been setting their own emissions standards. Seventeen other states are following their lead, you know. Even if they did try to change things, it'd be a legal battle that would drag on for years. And then there's the DMV, the BAR, the whole bureaucracy. Trust me, you don't want to get tangled up in that mess.

One day out cruising, just happened to run into Jay Leno in his NSX, in an NA1 NSX

Leno's Law? Sounds Familiar...

Then there's this SB 712, or 'Leno's Law.' Sounds like they want to loosen up the smog check rules for older cars. Good idea, right? Well, they've tried this before, and it usually goes nowhere. California likes its air clean, and they're not too keen on rolling back emissions rules.

Now, here's the kicker: this bill, even if it passes, only applies to US-sold cars that met EPA standards back in the day. Us direct imports? We still have to jump through CARB's hoops. So, a '75 model might get a pass on the smog check, but they'll still have to prove they meet US standards first. Same goes for any of us.

EPA and the Clean Air Act: Not Going Anywhere

And don't even get me started on the EPA and the Clean Air Act. Those guys are deeply rooted. You think they're just going to vanish overnight? Nah, they'll be fighting it in court for years.

Look, I get it. You want to bring in your dream JDM ride and hit the road. But the reality is, the rules are the rules. And they're not changing anytime soon. My advice? Do your homework, work with the pros, and don't believe everything you hear on the internet.

Buy USA Legal R32, R33, and R34 Skylines at Toprank Importers!
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Mounting an Accusump Oil Accumulator in a Nissan Skyline

By Sean Morris March 13, 2025 Featured, Oil, oiling

1 quart Accusump test fit in R32 GT-R bumper support

An Accusump is an oil accumulator that acts as a pre-oiler, and as surge control in a wet sump oiling system. A dry sump is the best way to control oil during high G situations, but that isn't always realistic for every car under every situation. After taching a few RB26 many years ago, King Motorsports installed one in a customers R32 GT-R. It was 2 quart mounted in the trunk with an electronic control valve that was triggered by a pressure switch. If you stick your head in and around enough cars, you will see these familiar blue cannisters from Canton, although there are a few other brands.

Test fitting a 2 quart Accusump in the trunk of an R32 GT-R

You can control it manually, you can control it electronically. Some people use their ECU. Low pressure, valve opens. Pressure comes up, valve closes.

R32 GT-R front bumper and support FAST diagram

I bought the 1 quart Accusump many years ago. My thoughts were to try and mount it in the front somewhere vs the 2 quart in the trunk. Less distance, less capacity, but then also faster fill and release as its closer to the engine. Once I got the Accusump, I started checking for spots it might fit, and the front bumper support sort of came as a possible. Now the downside is obviously if you hit anything, then you will have a big oil leak, but most everything in the front has water or oil in it, so not a deal breaker. I also bought a fiberglass bumper support from Japan. I figured if I had to hack anything up a bunch, the fiberglass would be easier to deal with.

Bumper and support off. Testing the fiberglass bumper support

Testing location of the 1 quart Accusump

Close to the fins

Accusump in the front support, valve mounted in BOV area. Brake ducts

If I had a larger intercooler, the Accusump wouldn't have fit in the bumper. A few other alternatives are possible in the front, like behind the lower radiator mounts