Import Sierra

[83zook]

I found this zook on the net today, it looks pretty lifted and those tyres look pretty big.
http://www.tradecarview.com/stock/detai ... sid=690385
Its a Jap sierra, theres 5 pages of them here:
http://www.tradecarview.com/stock/defau ... =325&eid=0
Would it be worth getting one imported? They have a 660cc, 3-cylinder, intercooled turbo motor in them,and have the coily dash in them, and a 4.1:1 first gear. Some have auto's behind the 660cc. i also went on to the RTA website and found that there is alot of shit involved in getting one rego'd in Australia.
Imported vehicles
For more information on importing a vehicle go to http://www.dotars.gov.au/transport/safe ... rting.aspx.

To register a vehicle you have imported, you will need to attend a motor registry in person and provide:

• Proof of your identity or, if registering the vehicle in the name of a company or organisation, proof that the company or organisation is a legal entity (see related link above right).
  
  A representative’s authority if the vehicle is being registered in the name of a company or other organisation. For a company, the Director or an authorised delegate must complete and sign the Representative’s section on the Application for Registration form or provide a letter of authorisation on company letterhead. In the case of an incorporated association, the public officer must sign. In all cases, the authorised representative must provide proof of their identity. A representative’s authority may also be supplied for new vehicles registered in the name of a person.
  
  A representative’s authority cannot be supplied if you are registering the vehicle in the name of a person, you must attend the motor registry yourself. If the vehicle is being registered in joint names, one person may authorise the other to attend on their behalf (as long as the person who is not attending is recorded on the RTA computer system).
  
  Proof of acquisition (eg a receipt for purchase of the vehicle or the previous certificate of registration in the same name if coming from overseas).
  
  Proof of your residential address (see related link above right).
  
  A valid Compulsory Third Party insurance policy – also known as a green slip – in hard copy format with the number plate section blank (not required for trailers).
  
  An inspection report – also known as a blue slip – from an Authorised Unregistered Vehicle Inspection Station (AUVIS). For AUVIS fees, see Vehicle Inspectors Bulletin 18 available from the related link above right.
  
  A completed Application for Registration form (see RTA Forms at the bottom of this page).
  
  Evidence of eligibility for any pensioner or other concessions (see related links to Pensioner concessions and Apprentice registration rebate above right).
  
  A certificate from an RTA-approved Engineering Signatory to certify that the vehicle meets Australian standards.
  
  A Vehicle Import Approval issued by the Commonwealth Department of Transport and Regional Services.
  
  A weighbridge ticket.
  
  Payment for registration, including registration fee, motor vehicle tax (or national heavy vehicle charges as applicable), stamp duty if applicable plus the applicable number plate fee.

Thers also wide-tracks and coily's on there too, with the 1.3 in them, would it be fuel injected, like some that america got?
http://www.tradecarview.com/stock/defau ... 4166&eid=0
Theres also cheap Jimny's
http://www.tradecarview.com/stock/defau ... =327&eid=0
Thanks Mitch

[Micky-Lux]

This one must have been driven by a short-ar$e. Check out the length of the gearstick....

http://www.tradecarview.com/stock/photo ... 687364&p=2

[zuku26]

I love the dash and front clips on those. We never got those here in America. I wonder if that dash comes LHD? I would kill to have that whole dash and front clip shipped to me

[Highway-Star]

This one must have been driven by a short-ar$e. Check out the length of the gearstick....

http://www.tradecarview.com/stock/photo ... 687364&p=2

Check out the exhaust on this one!!!

The mirrors look like they are to suit door removle, still attached to the body. Bit pointless on the hardtop, but quite nice for a softop .

If your gonna look at buying one, just make sure it will pass local emisiions laws, brake laws etc, as some jap spec cars are inferior to their aussie counterparts. It may require Australianification to meet local laws.

[Gwagensteve]

If your gonna look at buying one, just make sure it will pass local emisiions laws, brake laws etc, as some jap spec cars are inferior to their aussie counterparts.

Sorry highway star, this is something of a myth. There is some evidence that Japanese market models run slightly different tuning, it is predominantly fuel related. There are some differences in permitted emissions control for commercials vs passenger cars, but at the same time, that was similar here.

I'm not saying that all tuning is exactly the same, but I am saying that year for year, the differences are slight and don't automatically mean the car is "inferior".

Example - effectively nothing had to be done in relation to tuning to sell the R32 GT-R here in australia (even though it was a Japan domestic Market model) and suzuki Cappuccinos were imported and ADR complied as new cars (not used imports) in the early 90's by a small company in Melbourne. Again, there was no problem passing ADR emissions.

The anti-import people liked to circulate the "imports are inferior" line to try and cast doubt over the whole import thing.

However, just like here, commercials were permitted more emissions freedom. I have a JDM 660 turbo in my car and it came factory with no Catalytic converter and no oxygen sensor. A cappuccino of the same age has a car, 02 sensor and much more sophisticated EFI.

Now to the sierra thing - I may be a bit scratchy about some of the detail here, but, basically, there are three paths to take to get a "modern" JDM sierra into the county.

1)move to Japan, buy one, register it for about 12 months, then import it. Subject to RWC and some lighting ADRs etc, you SHOULD be able to register it.

2) buy one earlier than 91 (there is a set date for this sometime in late 1991) this used to be called the 15 year rule. Then the car is not assessed for full ADR compliance but does have to have a blue slip and all the other paperwork. However, this will limit you to 550cc turbo leaf spring cars only.

3) try and get a RAWS approved workshop to go through the SEVS scheme for the car. This will probably cost $60K+ and then they can bring in plenty. This will take many months but it might get you a 660 jimny for about $20K. Bear in mind though there are problems with the SEVS scheme applying to body shapes still on sale here, so a current jimny might be out of the question.

A few 550cc JDM cars were imported under the 15 year rule. they are cool, but they were also $9K by the time they went for sale here. If you looked at the pricing on that site you linked, add freight, import duty, blue slip (and any work required like tyres, seatbelts, etc,) +GST you will have an unrealistically expensive car.

I am aware that to fit a 660 legally to a sierra in australia is pretty much impossible, even with a cappuccino motor that went through ADR emissions. Greg couldn't find and engineer that would touch his unless it went through the ADR emissions cycle, at the time, $2700.

The 550 cars are mechanically quite different to the widetracks - they have 1.0 sized diffs, in some cases with alloy front third members. engine mounts are close to 1.0, but the gearbox mount is different. they do have boosted brakes though.

If you really want a 660 sierra, my suggestion is to find a legally registered 550 car and drop a GSX/R Alto K6A or Cappuccino F6A in it. It won't be 100% legal, but you'd never have an issue that I could see. Run it with 5.12 geared WT diffs and you'd be laughing.

Just some thoughts. I might be wrong on some of the specifics but I think the general thrust of what I'm saying is right.

[Highway-Star]

Sorry highway star, this is something of a myth. There is some evidence that Japanese market models run slightly different tuning, it is predominantly fuel related. There are some differences in permitted emissions control for commercials vs passenger cars, but at the same time, that was similar here.

I'm not saying that all tuning is exactly the same, but I am saying that year for year, the differences are slight and don't automatically mean the car is "inferior".

OK, 'inferior' probably wasn't the best word to use, just should have said 'different'. I have heard of some cars not being adequate, and thats why I just said check it out, I'm not aware of imported Suzuki specifics. I think it was one of the Isuzus that didn't meet local braking requirements, but can't be sure.

I have seen one or two Escudos for sale locally (registered), so if the Escudo passes, there is a good chance others will too.

Obviously importing a car is quite an involved and complex process, and you really want to be sure what your doing, because there is allot of work a time at stake. Thats why halfcuts are easier, they dont have to pass regulations.

[83zook]

Thanks Steve
But what i still dont understand is how gregs car is registered with the 660 in it? does he just have the numbers mathing on the rta site? or does he pay someone where he gets his pink-slip to look the other way? i think the conversion would be pretty fun and give a 1ltr a second chance on life! if i was to do it i would buy the sierra halfcut and use all the wiring and dash to make it easier!
Thanks Mitch

[Gwagensteve]

Greg's car was converted from a 1.3 and was not engineered with the 660 in it. There is no "pink slip" Vic so unless it's not sold or canaried there is no way for the authorities to know what's in the car.

If a knowledgable traffic policeman saw what was in it, it could have got a canary, but that never eventuated.

I have not been able to locate an engine number on either 660 I have worked on, desite nowing where they are supposed to be on the block.

It has since been deregistered as Greg spends his days drving his podiatrists car.

660's make an excellent conversion into a 1.0. they are an easy(ish) fit and with a whole cut (loom, dash etc) you would be laughing. It also includes a 5 speed gearbox with a 4:1 first gear which is a huge advantage over the 3.1:1 gear in a 1.0.

Gearbox mount has to be moved, air cleaner has to go on the other side, but that's about it other than wiring and a high pressure fuel pump.

Steve.

[83zook]

thanks steve
well does anyone in nsw know how to get around the problem of it being an illegal conversion? because if a mechanic checked for the engine number and there wasn't one he would probably reject the pink slip.
Thanks

[Gwagensteve]

Yep. $2700 ADR emissions test. You keep paying until you pass.

Other options might be straight gas or

Cappuccino's got ADR compliance as a new car in the early 90's. If you could prove to an engineer that you had the same weight and overall gear ratio as a cap (not easy, caps weigh 720kg) they might permit it, but the people holding complicance for Caps wouldn't release the paperwork.

or

A very late K6A 660 MIGHT hold euro emissions complicance. again, you might be able to convince an engineer that the JDM motor will meet euro so it will also meet ADR.

The key is - talk to an engineer, and be straight up about what you want to do.

It does my head in that a coughing, farting, leaded running 1.0 with stuff all pollution control is legal, but and efi motor with a sealed tank, full evaporative emissions, catalytic converter etc etc etc is illegal in the same car.

Steve.