Are Japan spec 80 Series, Federal Smog Compliant (CA REG)?

[calokie]

Are Japanese spec 1FZ-FE (gasoline) 80 series USA federal smog compliant from the factory? I'm looking to register an import 1FZ-FE 80 series in CA. Yes Diesel would be greatly preferred, however it sounds like a PIA for CA residents. I don't feel like moving, the weather is perfect I would like to just roll into the BAR cert station get the stamp and roll out.

 

[Rifleman]

I don't know the answer to your question, but when dealing with anything to do with the Feds/EPA, CA, air research board, or whatever its called involving required smog equipment, I'd be making some phones calls FIRST, to make sure i had all my ducks in a row before i spent a dime on a truck from Japan,

The reason i say this, i had a friend who bought a sports car on the gray market that was supposed to be smog legal here in America, Problem is, when he tried to pick it up at the port of Los Angeles customs officials WOULD NOT let him take delivery,

Long story short, it cost him big money not only in attorneys fees, storage cost, but he had to have a shop retro fit all the smog equipment to to car that the EPA required before he could take delivery and title/register the car, All in all this took months of his time to fix,

 

[Devils Paw 80]

If no diesel, I'd buy in the US and get LHD. My guess is that the Japanese models are smog compliant.

 

[BTLSHP]

Your starting point is the car must be at least 25 years old and not originally manufactured to USA spec.

Importation and Certification FAQs | NHTSA

www.nhtsa.gov

That is the federal side of things and pretty straightforward. Here is the rub, in Maryland that 25 year mark also cuts off emissions inspections, in several Colorado counties it does not. The Federal 25 years as I understand things dos not get you a break for States and Counties who think other wise.

 

[smritte]

All my smog knowledge is about a decade out of date. So this is just an opinion based on letting my smog lic expire and not keeping up on the latest rules.1995 and earlier diesel shouldn't be much issue but 1996 we got OBD2 and that throws a wrench in gas and diesel.
Defiantly give a call to the BAR.

 

[cruiserdan]

Non-US vehicles will never have certification label(s) that state compliance with US emissions requirements in effect at the time of manufacture. That is likely a non-starter in California.

 

[calokie]

Id be buying it already registered from another USA state (with all import duties and lic) then transferring it to CA.

Perhaps my question should have been, Does the Japanese spec 80 Series 1FZ-FE have the same smog/emissions components already installed that are necessary in CA in order to pass the BAR inspection: EGR-charcoal canister, smog pump, catalytic converter, oxygen sensors ETC.

 

[cruiserdan]

Id be buying it already registered from another USA state (with all import duties and lic) then transferring it to CA.

Perhaps my question should have been, Does the Japanese spec 80 Series 1FZ-FE have the same smog/emissions components already installed that are necessary in CA in order to pass the BAR inspection: EGR-charcoal canister, smog pump, catalytic converter, oxygen sensors ETC.

In order to answer that question you will need to know what year model you are considering and then open up two parts catalogs side-by-side and start comparing part numbers.

 

[BTLSHP]

In order to answer that question you will need to know what year model you are considering and then open up two parts catalogs side-by-side and start comparing part numbers.

And be very aware that CA may not care about actual performance and systems if it lacks the almighty CARB compliant plate.

 

[cruiserdan]

Well, I just looked at 1997 JDM versus 1997 USA.

The cats are different part numbers.
The charcoal canister is a different part number.
JDM does not have an EGR temperature sensor.
The EGR valve and modulator are the only common components.

My bet is CARB won't bless that unless you are on a first-name basis with Governor Newsom.

 

[mudgudgeon]

Id be buying it already registered from another USA state (with all import duties and lic) then transferring it to CA.

Perhaps my question should have been, Does the Japanese spec 80 Series 1FZ-FE have the same smog/emissions components already installed that are necessary in CA in order to pass the BAR inspection: EGR-charcoal canister, smog pump, catalytic converter, oxygen sensors ETC.

I'd say unlikely it'll be the same.

I know my Aussie spec '93 does not have the same emissions control systems, cats etc as a US market '93

 

[calokie]

Well, I just looked at 1997 JDM versus 1997 USA.

The cats are different part numbers.
The charcoal canister is a different part number.
JDM does not have an EGR temperature sensor.
The EGR valve and modulator are the only common components.

My bet is CARB won't bless that unless you are on a first-name basis with Governor Newsom.

Strange, it did have the EGR - modulator and canister in the for sale add pictures.

I’ll have to compare the Amaya Trading parts reference

 

[calokie]

Well, I just looked at 1997 JDM versus 1997 USA.

The cats are different part numbers.
The charcoal canister is a different part number.
JDM does not have an EGR temperature sensor.
The EGR valve and modulator are the only common components.

My bet is CARB won't bless that unless you are on a first-name basis with Governor Newsom.

We have crossed world lines once, back before he was king when he was simply the Lord of SF. I was walking along Embarcadero all alone with no one around me for hundreds of feet. His limo suddenly stoped right in front of me and they all jumped out and blocked me like the peasant I am I thought I was getting kidnapped by the mob

 

[calokie]

And be very aware that CA may not care about actual performance and systems if it lacks the almighty CARB compliant plate.

Yea probably best to just dump the $35k into my old 365,000 mile bucket instead of buying a low mile JDM (since I’m in CA)

 

[Fj80oregon]

Yea probably best to just dump the $35k into my old 365,000 mile bucket instead of buying a low mile JD (since I’m in CA)

Open a LLC in Montana and register it there!! Done and done

 

[bhsdriller]

Yep don't even waste your time and money with one here unless you're doing something like the Montana route.

Pretty straight forward especially with it already being titled in another state.

 

[Broski]

Are Japanese spec 1FZ-FE (gasoline) 80 series USA federal smog compliant from the factory? I'm looking to register an import 1FZ-FE 80 series in CA. Yes Diesel would be greatly preferred, however it sounds like a PIA for CA residents. I don't feel like moving, the weather is perfect I would like to just roll into the BAR cert station get the stamp and roll out.

Not going to happen

 

[Broski]

I don't know the answer to your question, but when dealing with anything to do with the Feds/EPA, CA, air research board, or whatever its called involving required smog equipment, I'd be making some phones calls FIRST, to make sure i had all my ducks in a row before i spent a dime on a truck from Japan,

The reason i say this, i had a friend who bought a sports car on the gray market that was supposed to be smog legal here in America, Problem is, when he tried to pick it up at the port of Los Angeles customs officials WOULD NOT let him take delivery,

Long story short, it cost him big money not only in attorneys fees, storage cost, but he had to have a shop retro fit all the smog equipment to to car that the EPA required before he could take delivery and title/register the car, All in all this took months of his time to fix,

People take delivery of Grey market vehicles every day in the port of Los Angeles and drive away.
Customs has nothing to do with California smog Requirements.
If they detained his Grey market vehicle it was for some other reason.

 

[cruiserdan]

Strange, it did have the EGR - modulator and canister in the for sale add pictures.

I’ll have to compare the Amaya Trading parts reference

As I stated above on Post #10, the JDM 1997 does have a charcoal canister, EGR Valve and modulator. The charcoal canister is different than a USA-spec version but the EGR valve and modulator are the same. JDM does not have an EGR temperature sensor.

 

[calokie]

As I stated above on Post #10, the JDM 1997 does have a charcoal canister, EGR Valve and modulator. The charcoal canister is different than a USA-spec version but the EGR valve and modulator are the same. JDM does not have an EGR temperature sensor.

apologies, I misread