Importing a V8 Swapped US Car to Canada
09-04-2014, 12:56 AM
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Importing a V8 Swapped US Car to Canada Hey everyone,
Has anyone had experience importing a V8 swapped US car to Canada?
I'm looking to buy a V8 (LSX) swapped RX7 from the US and driving it in Canada but upon doing my research I came across this:
Quoted from: http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/motorvehicle...-index-452.htm
I was excited until this...
I can't recall if I've seen or heard of any engine swapped cars from the States in Canada, but I'm sure there are. Anyone care to chime in?
Has anyone had experience importing a V8 swapped US car to Canada?
I'm looking to buy a V8 (LSX) swapped RX7 from the US and driving it in Canada but upon doing my research I came across this:
Why is a modified vehicle no longer considered admissible for importation?
Once modified (other than having general repairs or routine maintenance), the vehicle no longer maintains its original factory issued certification. This certification is required for importation into Canada. This also applies to Canadian certified vehicles modified in the United States and returning to Canada. For example:
a motorcycle converted into trike,
a cargo van converted into a camper,
adding a suspension lift kit to a vehicle,
adapting a vehicle for disabled access,
lengthening a vehicle or
re-fitting a vehicle with a different body kit.
Be careful when buying modified vehicles to import into Canada. Make sure the vehicle modifier or final stage manufacturer has established that it complies with Canadian standards. You cannot import the vehicle into Canada without this proof.
Once modified (other than having general repairs or routine maintenance), the vehicle no longer maintains its original factory issued certification. This certification is required for importation into Canada. This also applies to Canadian certified vehicles modified in the United States and returning to Canada. For example:
a motorcycle converted into trike,
a cargo van converted into a camper,
adding a suspension lift kit to a vehicle,
adapting a vehicle for disabled access,
lengthening a vehicle or
re-fitting a vehicle with a different body kit.
Be careful when buying modified vehicles to import into Canada. Make sure the vehicle modifier or final stage manufacturer has established that it complies with Canadian standards. You cannot import the vehicle into Canada without this proof.
I was excited until this...
I can't recall if I've seen or heard of any engine swapped cars from the States in Canada, but I'm sure there are. Anyone care to chime in?
09-05-2014, 10:45 AM
#3
Its older than 15 years,so RIV inspection not needed at CTC.I would be more concerned about it passing your OOP inspection,as for the border guards as long as it is not excessively loud or lowered,they won't give it a second glance but you never know when you will get the total asshat in the booth.
09-05-2014, 07:28 PM
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Its older than 15 years,so RIV inspection not needed at CTC.I would be more concerned about it passing your OOP inspection,as for the border guards as long as it is not excessively loud or lowered,they won't give it a second glance but you never know when you will get the total asshat in the booth.
The car isn't excessively loud but it sounds like a muscle car. You know the brap brap brap type of thing.
I'm trying to figure out the process so I don't end up buying a fully functional car that I can't drive. That would be a waste of money...all of my money lol
09-05-2014, 07:33 PM
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Hey I noticed you are from Texas and moving to Canada, and the car I'm considering is from Texas...moving to Canada! Actually not yet...
So this is a concern of mine: I tell them it's an RX7 and they may ask if there are mods done to it.
If I say yes, they may tell me no to bringing it over
If I say no, and they find out, it's no to bringing it over for sure
If they don't ask and I don't tell but they find out, it may be a no to bringing it over
If they don't ask and I don't tell and they don't check, then it may be a yes
This is such a hassle!
So this is a concern of mine: I tell them it's an RX7 and they may ask if there are mods done to it.
If I say yes, they may tell me no to bringing it over
If I say no, and they find out, it's no to bringing it over for sure
If they don't ask and I don't tell but they find out, it may be a no to bringing it over
If they don't ask and I don't tell and they don't check, then it may be a yes
This is such a hassle!
09-06-2014, 10:25 PM
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I have brought a few vehicles from across the border, only 1 time they asked to look under the hood, just basically to see if there was a engine in it, never asked fro any of them to start it up. In your case if they asked you to start it up and it's noisy, tell them it has one of those stupid fart can mufflers and that will be the first thing you are changing.
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09-07-2014, 04:09 AM
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I have brought a few vehicles from across the border, only 1 time they asked to look under the hood, just basically to see if there was a engine in it, never asked fro any of them to start it up. In your case if they asked you to start it up and it's noisy, tell them it has one of those stupid fart can mufflers and that will be the first thing you are changing.
Yeah I've emailed them to see if having mods on a 15 year old car will be fine.
They did state that any car over 15 years is exempt from an RIV inspection, which may be the worst part of the process. The next part seems to be just paying taxes and duties, and then having the car get Canadian safety mods (daytime running lights etc).
09-07-2014, 08:29 AM
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as for the daytime running lights, that does not have to be headlights. It can be marker lights. Just run a relay from a ignition on to the marker lights. Your going to pay duty on the car because it was originally made in Japan. Good luck with it.
09-11-2014, 10:18 PM
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What about having the car shipped over the border by a shipping company?
I called RIV earlier, they said the car would be exempt from an RIV inspection being older than 15 years old. Any mods done 15 years ago also is ok. You would need some proof though.
09-12-2014, 05:45 AM
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I live in Winnipeg and for 2 of the vehicles I met the driver in Grand Forks North Dakota ( about 2 hours away,1 hour into North Dakota). Just found it a lot cheaper than having them bring it across the border. So I am my own broker and I did the paper work,. The Canadian border people were very helpful. They said on average they get about 20 cars a day.
09-12-2014, 06:14 PM
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I live in Winnipeg and for 2 of the vehicles I met the driver in Grand Forks North Dakota ( about 2 hours away,1 hour into North Dakota). Just found it a lot cheaper than having them bring it across the border. So I am my own broker and I did the paper work,. The Canadian border people were very helpful. They said on average they get about 20 cars a day.
So far I figured an rx7 being 15 years older is fine. It's the inspection that I'm afraid of especially if there are mods done. A v8 does and can sound aggressive. This is one of the cars I've been considering:
It's in Texas, so I don't have the luxury of driving it to the border and back if it gets rejected. I'm in BC.
If all the paperwork can be completed stating the car is admissible, then the owner and I can work out the ownership transfer and transaction after. Then I can just drive across the border and get the DRL, emissions test etc. thereafter. This is such a hassle but I simply don't have time to build one. I just want a turn key.
09-13-2014, 12:40 AM
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Hey I noticed you are from Texas and moving to Canada, and the car I'm considering is from Texas...moving to Canada! Actually not yet...
So this is a concern of mine: I tell them it's an RX7 and they may ask if there are mods done to it.
If I say yes, they may tell me no to bringing it over
If I say no, and they find out, it's no to bringing it over for sure
If they don't ask and I don't tell but they find out, it may be a no to bringing it over
If they don't ask and I don't tell and they don't check, then it may be a yes
This is such a hassle!
So this is a concern of mine: I tell them it's an RX7 and they may ask if there are mods done to it.
If I say yes, they may tell me no to bringing it over
If I say no, and they find out, it's no to bringing it over for sure
If they don't ask and I don't tell but they find out, it may be a no to bringing it over
If they don't ask and I don't tell and they don't check, then it may be a yes
This is such a hassle!
under the table passed :-D now new emission sick pass all day long
09-13-2014, 10:27 PM
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The border ( customs) shouldn't be a problem. You have to take it to Canadian Tire to get the R.I.V inspection done. If there is a problem, it might be there. When I brought my Typhoon across the border, the only thing customs wondered is why it was cheaper ( purchased price) than what the black/blue/red book said it was worth. No guarantees when dealing with anybody from/for the gov't.