Celica GT-4 question Options

[1994Celica]

Ok so I know that importing GT-4's is illegal, but what about taking a junker 6gc and throwing the GT-4 engine, trans, bumber, hood, etc is that illegal or legal for the U.S.A

[Mstoochn]

Ok so I know that importing GT-4's is illegal, but what about taking a junker 6gc and throwing the GT-4 engine, trans, bumber, hood, etc is that illegal or legal for the U.S.A

really?..... seriously?!

[richee3]

You are allowed to put all of that on/in your car. Some states require inspections that the motor (3S-GTE) may not pass for various reason. The transmission is an all wheel drive transmission, so you are better off finding a different tranny. The most popular choices are the S54 (the Celica GT manual transmission) and the E153, which came in the MR-2 and V6 Camry's. But the GT-Four front end conversion is all over this website. Several members have put the GT-Four hood and bumpers on their cars.

[1994Celica]

Ya Im serius and thanks because I plan on doing that soon as I get some money

[Johnnyny]

So why is it illegal to import a gt4

[Mstoochn]

So why is it illegal to import a gt4

>>

[Johnnyny]

So why is it illegal to import a gt4

>>

I can be a little slow sometimes and this is one of those times explain please....

[1994Celica]

So why is it illegal to import a gt4

>>

I can be a little slow sometimes and this is one of those times explain please....

I think they either dont meet safety or emission laws

[Mstoochn]

Emissions
Safetly
Lighting
Markers
Power
Bumper standards

[Johnnyny]

Emissions
Safetly
Lighting
Markers
Power
Bumper standards

And nothing can be done to change any of this like putting a cat , etc?

[1994Celica]

Emissions
Safetly
Lighting
Markers
Power
Bumper standards

what do you mean by markers and power and lighting

[Axel04]

I know someone that can get them in the states but for around 10 to 14 grand with a title, but there is a wait for finding one thats in good shape.

[Johnnyny]

Emissions
Safetly
Lighting
Markers
Power
Bumper standards

what do you mean by markers and power and lighting

yeah add all dat suff and make it legal or no ?

[Fate]

Emissions: Japan has stricter emissions than us so a gt4 would pass the sniffer test no problem. it's the lack of an egr valve, and with a visual inspection in some states-the car can be failed. i believe the UK has an egr valve, but usually engines are imported from japan when buying here in the states.

Safety: in other countries, the glass (sides, rear and windshield) doesn't have the thin layer of nylon that makes the glass spiderweb on impact like here in the states. also there is no documented crash testing done for the gt4.

Lighting: different cut pattern to be more effective for a right hand driver.

Everything can be corrected with a doner car but there are other issues of concern- registering and insuring to name two. (use the SEARCH button)



This post has been edited by Fate: Jan 9, 2010 - 9:10 PM

[1994Celica]

Emissions: Japan has stricter emissions than us so a gt4 would pass the sniffer test no problem. it's the lack of an egr valve, and with a visual inspection in some states-the car can be failed. i believe the UK has an egr valve, but usually engines are imported from japan when buying here in the states.

Safety: in other countries, the glass (sides, rear and windshield) doesn't have the thin layer of nylon that makes the glass spiderweb on impact like here in the states. also there is no documented crash testing done for the gt4.

Lighting: different cut pattern to be more effective for a right hand driver.

Everything can be corrected with a doner car but there are other issues of concern- registering and insuring to name two. (use the SEARCH button)

so basically geting a junker celica and putting everything in it to make it as close to one as possible would fix everything

[Ruroniarc]

Yes. Talk to pipes, or look his profile up here. That's what he did. He turned a 94? GT into a GT4, AWD and everything just by importing a GT4 clip, and installing all those parts into a USDM model Celica.

The reason it's not legal is mainly because of the crash testing data for the GT4 that America doesn't have. But feel free to import a fully working GT4 and swap all the parts into a GT. The other thing you can do (HIGHLY ILLEGAL) is import a working GT4, and then swap the VIN numbers from your GT to your fancy new GT4 and then just throw your GT in the crusher. But this is terribly illegal, and if caught, you can get really messed up / they can just take your car away.

This post has been edited by Ruroniarc: Jan 9, 2010 - 10:17 PM

[nsxtypeR]

Lighting: different cut pattern to be more effective for a right hand driver.

Buy a LHD then

Plenty of them in Germany and Italy for example

[lagos]

So why is it illegal to import a gt4

Because it wasn't intended for sale in the US, and has not gone through the proper crash and safety tests. Car manufactures and the government are very strict about this for some odd reason.

You can still sneak one in if you have enough money and the right connections, but most 6gc members are young and broke.

[Smaay]

really? now i learned something. i though all GT4's were RHD.

[Murgatroy]

really? now i learned something. i though all GT4's were RHD.

I agree.

I know the ST165 and the ST185 are available in LHD. Both domestically and in certain parts of Europe.

However, I was under the impression that the ST205 was RHD only. I have never seen a factory LHD version.

[richee3]

I've seen a couple of pictures of LHD GT4's. They aren't as common though.

[yarik83]

I inquired with same canadian brokers that import gt4s on how much it would cost to import a gt4 from italy where one lhd model was up for sale on ebay auction. I was quoted a price that is almost double what it would cost to import a rhd model.

[Euphoria]

The reason it's not legal is mainly because of the crash testing data for the GT4 that America doesn't have. But feel free to import a fully working GT4 and swap all the parts into a GT. The other thing you can do (HIGHLY ILLEGAL) is import a working GT4, and then swap the VIN numbers from your GT to your fancy new GT4 and then just throw your GT in the crusher. But this is terribly illegal, and if caught, you can get really messed up / they can just take your car away.

that would be the best way haha.

[3WayStunna]

Or wait until 2018 when it can be imported legally, and without all the jazz done. Funny i think...btw, im talking about the 25yr rule.

[yarik83]

Just because it will be open for importation does not mean that it will get imported. By that time Canada would have won their fight to revoke 15 year rule and institute 25 year rule and consequently spike up importation costs. When us brokers get a hold of this they will start asking 30 grand for the car or 15 if you have really good negotiating skills but then of course good luck finding a 94 gt-4 in a good condition.

In year 2019 average gt-4 would probably be retired, scrapped etc so there would be nothing left to import.

Such is the story of a unicorn that is gt4 celica.

[Penkka]

I've seen a couple of pictures of LHD GT4's. They aren't as common though.

That depends on where youre looking them from. Japan - RHD, UK - RHD. Rest of the world - LHD.

Although now that the EU has made importing easier, the RHD´s have started to land in LHD countries, like mine.

But as I look from the finnish webpage for cars on sale, 5 ST205. 3 of them are RHD, 2 LHD.

[schmooot]

makes me proud to be Canadian. Finally something that we can get that Americans can't get...usually its the other way around

[DKGT4]

GT4. I have just imported one from Japan. I live in Canada and I guess it was legal to import here since last Feb. Right now I am just waiting for it to clear customs and get all of its inspections. Also compliance tests are on the way. Many people don't think its worth getting, insurance is supposedly really hard to get for any right hand drive vehicle. This is actually not true. The liability portion is fine, you should be paying as much as any other LHD vehicle you purchase in the US or Canada. However for collision coverage and comprehensive, you will need an appraisal done and also underwriting approval for this.

GL for anyone importing. Maybe you can import to Canada first if you have a source here, and then drive it down or ship it to the US.

Peace!!

[nammer]

makes me proud to be Canadian. Finally something that we can get that Americans can't get...usually its the other way around

haha couldn't have said it better...GT4 ftw...driving on the right side became 2nd nature after a few days

[FORGMANN]

makes me proud to be Canadian. Finally something that we can get that Americans can't get...usually its the other way around

Well most americans that is ..

[pipes]

X2

[jimmykay]

makes me proud to be Canadian. Finally something that we can get that Americans can't get...usually its the other way around

Well most americans that is ..

X2

/cry

[Mstoochn]

yes i can have a gt-4 and pay rediculous insurance or swap a 3s-gte/make my own god like powerplant and pay a more reasonable amount of insurance and have the EMS trick the OBD2 readout

[yarik83]

There is a reason why gt-4 is gt-4 and a celica with a swap is a celica with a swap.

A swapped celica is nice but it will never substitute a awd beast that you can take sideways going 50 on a snowy mountain road while drooling profusely. Instead you will be plowing straight through really really fast then slowing down then accelerating all the way up or down the mountain. It is hard to explain but the joy of what an all wheel drive car is can only be summarized by rally videos or by driving one of these babies yourself.

You can make anything go really fast. take smart car and drop a hayabuza engine in it and it will run faster than a sports car. Take err whats another slow car... lets say geo metro and drop a 900 hp engine in it and yes it will go really fast.. after all if you need a visual proceed to nearest quarter mile track on a race weekend and see what people race.

Having been behind the wheel of an evo and my swapped celi.. there is no comparison. All wheel drive technology makes your wildest dreams come true even while driving just a bit slower than a hooked up straight line car.

Given a choice between available gt4 that cost 10 grand vs spending 4 grand on a swap.... I would probably still go with a gt4 but alas here in states we have only 1 option

[Mstoochn]

you can do an AWD conversion... which could actualy IMPROVE over a gt-4
st246 caldina awd trans and the st246 rear axel which u can bias. 20-50/50-80

This post has been edited by Mstoochn: Jan 14, 2010 - 5:20 PM

[yarik83]

Yes sir you could do that but you could also do a lot of things.

I am a computer geek so I would not even try to do a do it yourself awd conversion. I dont have the means nor the skills nor the time nor a place. I am fairly certain that most local mechanics would never agree to do the conversion and local performance shops would either send me off or charge me a cajillion dollars.

On this site we have had several people do this... except that one celica was shortly sold and so was the other and one was just completed and probably will get sold before we all die in 2012. On the other hand 2 common variables are always present. Time and money. Money is accountable for but time is not. One must have a spare vehicle and probably for prolonged amount of time.

I hear that you are a gearhead so this type of work should be a walk in the park for you. You have my blessing to do this project and then tell us how you did it.