Jump to content
SAU Community

Importing A Kei Car

mickey
 Share

Recommended Posts

mickey Proficient

mickey

Posted
Posted

I was looking at what it takes to import a Kei car. Sorry if this has been covered in another topic but I couldn't find anything general.

Essentially I've looked at the SEVS register but have no idea which cars (if any) constitute a kei car. Looking for something that is 660cc turbo or thereabouts (I know 1L is not a Kei car but am willing to go up to that much but it has to be turbo).

Can anyone direct me as to the availability/price of getting something that fits the bill? Cappucino's are hard to find, otherwise I'm stuck thinking about a Copen...and I don't really want a convertible I prefer a practical mini. I prefer something late model and reliable as a bunky.

cheers!

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/378694-importing-a-kei-car/
Share on other sites
Iron Chef Grand Master

Iron Chef

Posted
Posted

I've been sniffing around Daihatsus a bit lately, because any of them are eligible under SEVS.

Chris is right, Kei cars traditionally never had to meet normal crash testing requirements in Japan, which made them virtually impossible to bring here under SEVS, but that has changed in recent year with car manufacturers building and testing them like regular cars (even if the Japanese govt treats them lik oversized motorbikes).

But the short term answer is no, there's not much to choose from available through SEVS currently.

Beer Baron Grand Master

Beer Baron

Posted
Posted

best option, try and find something built in 1988 or earlier and bring it in under pre=89 rule. not sure what if any good models are available in that timeframe.

otherwise if you want a kei car with a tiny turbo engine... buy a smart for two (older ones are turbo, newer model is NA but more powerful standard). also have 5 speed semi-manual box and if you get bored of the pezzy stock turbo engine then you can slap in a GSXR1000 motor and 6 speed box for 180hp in a tiny little car. :)

it's what I'm doing. end result is something like this:

Hank Scorpio Grand Master

Hank Scorpio

Posted
Posted

I've been sniffing around Daihatsus a bit lately, because any of them are eligible under SEVS.

Chris is right, Kei cars traditionally never had to meet normal crash testing requirements in Japan, which made them virtually impossible to bring here under SEVS, but that has changed in recent year with car manufacturers building and testing them like regular cars (even if the Japanese govt treats them lik oversized motorbikes).

But the short term answer is no, there's not much to choose from available through SEVS currently.

Didn't we look into a pre-89 Suzuki Alto Works not long ago? That would be my pick, AWD and tubo. If I had the cash I'd buy one in a sec.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Similar Content

  • Latest Posts

    • Chupapy
      Coolant leak?

      By Chupapy · Posted

      Will have a look at that. I cant see any leaks 
    • GTSBoy
      Coolant leak?

      By GTSBoy · Posted

      Put another overflow bottle (ie, a 1.25 coke bottle or similar) under the overflow hose and see if it is being pushed out there or if it is disappearing into the engine.
    • GTSBoy
      New kid on the block

      By GTSBoy · Posted

      Staring on a stand is no issue. You just have to wire everything up, give it fuel and cross your fingers that the stand is robust enough. Arranging the inlet plumbing is often the hardest part, without any surrounding structure to hand some of it from. No need for coolant if you only want to run it for <1 minute. As to the gearbox - I think the little Aisin box is a bit stronger than the other small Nissan boxes that went behind SRs, but I wouldn't be too keen to test its limits with the torque of a boosted 25. I don't know if you can retain the box and the tailshaft. The box won't connect to the RB without an adapter of some sort, which is either a plate that will push the engine forward (which is not good for fitting it into the bay's available space) or push the box back, which messes with the box position and tailshaft length - OR - cut and shut work on the bellhousing, which is a long way from "least modification". I'd be buying a new 370Z 6 speed or similar, doing what has to be done to that to make it fit RB (ie, cut and shut bellhousing) and the requisite tailshaft custom/mods.
    • Songo
      New kid on the block

      By Songo · Posted

      Hi Everyone I am from West Pennant Hills in NSW. Been too busy until recently to attend to my RB25DET Series 2 engine until recently. I am planning to stick it into the S15 shell at this stage, unless a nice SR20DET turns up... For now, i am going to try and get the RB25 running and working well then decide what gearbox to use. My preference is to retain the SR20DET  6 speed gearbox and tail shaft to retain as much and least modifications as i can avoid. I am an old guy and won't be doing any heavy drifting so i don't need a bullet proof gearbox Does anyone have experience with starting the RB on a stand? I got everything setup as much as I can with the info i can find... endless searching and videos on Youtube I would be great to get some pointers Cheers Songo
    • Chupapy
      Coolant leak?

      By Chupapy · Posted

      Hey all, Recently have had my s1 r33 gtr serviced and noticed my coolant reservoir was topped up to the max line. Took the car out for 1 yesterday and noticed today the reservoir is completely empty.  Any ideas? Radiator is full
×
×
  • Create New...