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Aug 11, 2009

Kit Car Discussion from 2006 on Freshalloy Forum

About 3 years ago, we had a discussion with several people, including Detective Hsu that handled much of the Motorex investigation on the Freshalloy Forum.  I have been posting on Freshalloy, originally as Motorex, then as tyndago since 1999/2000.

 

Yes thats a twin turbocharged LS1 powered R34 from Australia.

If you search the forum for information on importing, you will probably find, about every month, someone will come on their with an “idea” of how to import cars to the US.   About every single month, a new “idea”.  Actually the same idea over and over. Sometimes a little twist here and there, but mostly the same.   I care about the consumer. I care about the guys that are buying cars. I want them to be fully informed in exactly what they are buying. After I left Motorex, and there was no more VCP-17, I did not care as much about tracking down these guys.

Read my first post carefully.  Understand what I am saying. 

Specialty constructed vehicles. I had a chance to look at some specialty constructed vehicles. "Based on" R33 and R34.
Interesting operation. Seems to follow the laws to a T. Nobles and Cobras are brought in as specialty constructed cars, why not GT-R's.
Now the only "legit" ways have been shut down, people will find other ways. This way is as close as I see to being correct.

Then I had this to respond to one guy saying I was doing a disservice to people in saying they were “as close as I see to being correct.”  Understand what I am saying there.  I pick my words fairly carefully.

Trust me, I am normally the one in your shoes. I have seen and read the rules and regulations. I have done it through the RI channel since 1999.
Ever see a Noble ? How about a Cobra Kit car ?
The Nobles have an engine that was never a certified US engine. Not in a twin turbo configuration.
The kit car thing is such a gray area. Its reading into it as much as you want to read into it.
Ie parts. Any parts are an approximate disassembled vehicle. In the example... the kit car manufacturer DOES NOT provide the engine/transmission - you buy it from somewhere else. #2
Car parts are not considered - Motor Vehicles. #5 no longer applies, as a chassis is no longer a motor vehicle. See how it can go around and around.
" "2" above; an individual or firm that assembles kits for hire or resale, that produces assembled kit cars for resale or that produces complete kit car packages for resale"
If you build it yourself, no matter what configuration it has, you don't need to meet EPA requirements. You can't build a car for someone else. You can't hire someone to build the complete car for you.
The laws and regulations are in place, doing it though all the RI/Import regulations is no longer possible. Lets exploit the open channels. People want cars, this way is open.
As long as its done, the way that one guy is doing it. If you buy a car, have it disassembled, import it, import the engine from it, and reassemble it, then thats going around the Clean Air Act. If you buy a certified chassis, and then go from there, its not illegal by what I read.

 

Head on over to the FA forum to check out the full post.  There is a bit of back and forth both ways.  Again this is from 3 years ago.  This is not a new discussion. This is not a new thing.

Source : Freshalloy Forums

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

off topic somewhat but going by that pic you have an ls1 motor in that r34. I think I saw post of yours a few years back on that Mustang Fastback with an rb26det. Now I've read from multiple sites conflicting reports why the rb26dett had to become a single turbo since it wouldn't fit because of the steering wheel placement? Would it have mattered or had more room if the mustang was switched to RHD like some mustangs that made it to europe? Thanks!

Sean Morris said...

The Fast and Furious car ? RB powered Mustang ? It was going to be tight, but I think they switched it over to rack and pinion, and they were talking about changing the front shock mounting when I came in. They wanted something a little more visually appealing, and I came up with the forward and up placement of the single turbo.

Anonymous said...

So a the twin turbo rb26dett wouldve been possible to put in? It just wouldve been a tight fit? interesting. thanks!

Unknown said...

They wanted something visually appealing in the mustang? Is that why you plumbed the intake straight out the top?? :) That is hottt!