Importing Car From U.S.

**scarab** · September 7th, 2006 05:53 AM

....the autoplus skyline was converted by skyline motors in long beach ca. check out his site. www.turboawd.com.ph

**KoKoNAT** · September 7th, 2006 09:29 AM

A 'perfect conversion' can be done if the car is available in both LHD and RHD variants. For example, a 2000+ Toyota Celica comes out of the factory as LHD or RHD versions as it is sold in both Japan and the US. For a reputable shop that converts cars, converting a RHD Celica would be to buy the LHD parts, remove the RHD bits of the Celica and slap the LHD bits on. No engineering necessary. There should be no performance or safety issues as the car was originally designed from the start to be LHD or RHD.

Converting a LHD-only or a RHD-only car is another story. For example, the new Ford Mustang is only in LHD format. There is a company in Melbourne that specializes in Ford Mustang conversions. They have to re-engineer the car and fabricate new RHD bits just so that it will not only look as if it is originally made in RHD but perform as good as the LHD version. The conversion was detailed right down to the positioning of the wipers and the indicator and wiper controls on the steering column. It also has to pass strict ADR standards so safety was not compromised as well. That said, the above can also be called a 'perfect conversion'.

Considering all the trouble that both scenarios have to go through to convert a car, you should expect to pay a premium to have that service. Now if a no-name shop claims that it can convert cars cheaply, then you should be wary.

Sorry for the OT. Just have to point that out to those looking at 'converted' cars.

**rtuazon4** · September 7th, 2006 10:22 PM

Originally Posted by KoKoNAT

A 'perfect conversion' can be done if the car is available in both LHD and RHD variants. For example, a 2000+ Toyota Celica comes out of the factory as LHD or RHD versions as it is sold in both Japan and the US. For a reputable shop that converts cars, converting a RHD Celica would be to buy the LHD parts, remove the RHD bits of the Celica and slap the LHD bits on. No engineering necessary. There should be no performance or safety issues as the car was originally designed from the start to be LHD or RHD.

Converting a LHD-only or a RHD-only car is another story. For example, the new Ford Mustang is only in LHD format. There is a company in Melbourne that specializes in Ford Mustang conversions. They have to re-engineer the car and fabricate new RHD bits just so that it will not only look as if it is originally made in RHD but perform as good as the LHD version. The conversion was detailed right down to the positioning of the wipers and the indicator and wiper controls on the steering column. It also has to pass strict ADR standards so safety was not compromised as well. That said, the above can also be called a 'perfect conversion'.

Considering all the trouble that both scenarios have to go through to convert a car, you should expect to pay a premium to have that service. Now if a no-name shop claims that it can convert cars cheaply, then you should be wary.

Sorry for the OT. Just have to point that out to those looking at 'converted' cars.

I understand what your saying but i think the only problem with that are the mounting points for items such as power steering reservoir, clutch reservoir, etc.... They'd have to completely change the inner fender wells and bulkhead to left hand drive also. I suppose they can rig something up to where they'd be able to mount the said components but i'd be suspect on something like that.

**kmo** · September 8th, 2006 02:27 AM

Originally Posted by KoKoNAT

A 'perfect conversion' can be done if the car is available in both LHD and RHD variants. For example, a 2000+ Toyota Celica comes out of the factory as LHD or RHD versions as it is sold in both Japan and the US. For a reputable shop that converts cars, converting a RHD Celica would be to buy the LHD parts, remove the RHD bits of the Celica and slap the LHD bits on. No engineering necessary. There should be no performance or safety issues as the car was originally designed from the start to be LHD or RHD.

Converting a LHD-only or a RHD-only car is another story. For example, the new Ford Mustang is only in LHD format. There is a company in Melbourne that specializes in Ford Mustang conversions. They have to re-engineer the car and fabricate new RHD bits just so that it will not only look as if it is originally made in RHD but perform as good as the LHD version. The conversion was detailed right down to the positioning of the wipers and the indicator and wiper controls on the steering column. It also has to pass strict ADR standards so safety was not compromised as well. That said, the above can also be called a 'perfect conversion'.

Considering all the trouble that both scenarios have to go through to convert a car, you should expect to pay a premium to have that service. Now if a no-name shop claims that it can convert cars cheaply, then you should be wary.

Sorry for the OT. Just have to point that out to those looking at 'converted' cars.

i agree with this one .... tsaka i guess if they just specialized on converting a specific vehicle then i guess EVERYTHING that would be needed to be conveted were all taken into action ... coz hindi rin biro magpaconvert sa mga specialized companies like these .... youd really have to shell out a lot and for that amount of money .. i think everything that concerns safety were taken into account

**MySRT4** · September 8th, 2006 12:46 PM

Hey Whats up guys i just visit this web and i saw that you guys love cars!!! Have you see or heard bout the dodge SRT4? I got this car and i want to import it in the Phil.to give it to my brother...Heres a picture of my car

2005 Dodge SRT4
2.4L Turbocharge
300 hp
350 lb/ft

**ptk675** · September 8th, 2006 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by rtuazon4

That's exactly what i thought, too. I believe anything over 5 years old is not allowed due to the philippines' "anti junk law" but i could be wrong.

if that's the case then why are we getting all the junk buses and trucks
that other countries are just too willing to dump on us.

**rtuazon4** · September 8th, 2006 10:13 PM

Originally Posted by ptk675

if that's the case then why are we getting all the junk buses and trucks
that other countries are just too willing to dump on us.

I agree and not only that but i've ridden on some tricycles and jeepneys that made me wonder whether or not we'd get there alive.

**Jun aka Pekto** · September 8th, 2006 10:57 PM

Originally Posted by ptk675

if that's the case then why are we getting all the junk buses and trucks
that other countries are just too willing to dump on us.

Oh, they're not that bad. The last bus I rode from Alabang to Quezon City (1996) was pretty decent. A/C, comfortable seats, stereo.....

You want crummy buses, just take a look at what many American kids ride in to school. I could've sworn one school bus I used to ride from 3rd-6th grade (in the 70's) is still in use up to now in Nevada....