1HZ with Turbo ineligible? (1 Viewer)

[takern]

I was reading through the EPA regulations for importing and saw the bit about original and unmodified. I’m hoping I am wrong but I believe adding an aftermarket turbo to a 1HZ makes the vehicle ineligible for import under the 21 year rule for emissions. Tried calling the hotline but that was basically a waiting game I gave up on so looking for someone that might have more insight to what exactly will get it crushed or end up doubling the cost of the truck to make legal.

Thanks.

 

[gilmorneau]

A 1HZ with an aftermarket turbo is not eligible for the EPA exemption ordinarily granted to 21+ year old cars because any modification to the original motor is considered "tampering" with the emissions system, and is a violation of the Clean Air Act. Technically, it would not be legal to import such a modified car unless you bring it into compliance with EPA regulations that were in place when it was manufactured (or you de-modify it back to original to regain the exemption).

That said, it's not the kind of violation that's likely to get your car crushed--the U.S. Department of Justice has bigger fish to fry--and US Customs might not even catch it.

I'm going to guess you have a truck already bought and on its way? If so, I can't say I'd recommend calling US Customs or the EPA to give them your name and tell them about all the illegal things you're about to try to get away with. That can only end badly. If the truck is inbound, just ride it out--keep moving forward with the process until you succeed or something stops you. Don't mention the modifications. It's been said that non-disclosure is not deception (lying is deception, though, so never lie to Federal officials). Chances are it will go fine and you'll get your truck*.

*Your truck will not be legally in the US, of course, but at least you'll have it. You can always return it to stock configuration after you get it to make it US legal, or you can just live with the small risk of Federal Agents raiding your home at dawn. Believe me, there are guys on IH8MUD who have far more legal exposure and I'm pretty sure they sleep like babies.

 

[takern]

A 1HZ with an aftermarket turbo is not eligible for the EPA exemption ordinarily granted to 21+ year old cars because any modification to the original motor is considered "tampering" with the emissions system, and is a violation of the Clean Air Act. Technically, it would not be legal to import such a modified car unless you bring it into compliance with EPA regulations that were in place when it was manufactured (or you de-modify it back to original to regain the exemption).

That said, it's not the kind of violation that's likely to get your car crushed--the U.S. Department of Justice has bigger fish to fry--and US Customs might not even catch it.

I'm going to guess you have a truck already bought and on its way? If so, I can't say I'd recommend calling US Customs or the EPA to give them your name and tell them about all the illegal things you're about to try to get away with. That can only end badly. If the truck is inbound, just ride it out--keep moving forward with the process until you succeed or something stops you. Don't mention the modifications. It's been said that non-disclosure is not deception (lying is deception, though, so never lie to Federal officials). Chances are it will go fine and you'll get your truck*.

*Your truck will not be legally in the US, of course, but at least you'll have it. You can always return it to stock configuration after you get it to make it US legal, or you can just live with the small risk of Federal Agents raiding your home at dawn. Believe me, there are guys on IH8MUD who have far more legal exposure and I'm pretty sure they sleep like babies.

Thanks. Sounds like a fun time. It’s purchased but I am still living in Japan so I have time to de-turbo and get into original spec

 

[toascii]

Thanks. Sounds like a fun time. It’s purchased but I am still living in Japan so I have time to de-turbo and get into original spec

How did this end up going for you? I live in europe and am looking at a HZJ 78 that has a had turbo put on it. I would eventually like to take it back to the states. I pretty worried about it having import issues because of the turbo. did you get yours removed? do it yourself? Ff so what did involve?

Thanks

 

[TCEd]

A 73 series with a KZ-T recently sold on Mud and imbedded in the posts the seller stated "Ah, and the turbocharger was upgraded.". That chased me away from considering it. SOLD - Europe, Bucharest, Romania, 1994 KZJ 73, LHD, rebuild - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/europe-bucharest-romania-1994-kzj-73-lhd-rebuild.1331407/

 

[gilmorneau]

There are several things about this car that might have chased me away from considering it (an undocumented Romanian restoration, for one thing) but the fact that the turbo was upgraded is not in itself a huge red flag. What EPA is looking for is that the car has it's original motor and that all the original emissions equipment is in place. If, for example, the original turbo is NLA and needs replacing, an aftermarket turbo of similar specification should be able to be substituted without making a problem.