View Full Version : Japanese Spec Parts Compatibility?
bnr32jason
02-02-2013, 04:43 AM
I just put in my pre-order for the 818, I requested a delivery date of July 2014 but if it doesn't get met, no big deal.
I'm living in Japan until early next year. I know the WRX's are significantly better here than they are in the US.
Does anyone have any suggestions of parts to bring home with me when I move back?
From what I've read, the 6-speed transmissions here are significantly stronger/better than the 5-speed (2002ish) transmissions that is in my donor car. I figure that should be compatible, but what else should I be looking for? I don't want to bring back an engine with me, even though they make 280hp stock, because I don't want to have to deal with a Japanese engine possibly getting me into trouble during the inspection process.
Any ideas would be appreciated!
Thanks!
wallace18
02-02-2013, 06:56 AM
the 6 spd won't work in the 818. Too long.
bnr32jason
02-02-2013, 08:38 AM
the 6 spd won't work in the 818. Too long.
Well that sucks, thanks for telling me before I wasted money buying one.
All I can think of so far is the brakes and some nice lightweight wheels like Volk TE37's or something.
rjh2pd
02-02-2013, 12:07 PM
Aww man, the EJ207 is the best jdm part I think. Do the Wrx's come with 6 speeds over there? Sorry I don't have much to contribute, I don't know much about the Jdm Cars.
shinn497
02-02-2013, 03:02 PM
If you put a USDM ecu on an ej207, you can smog it in US (possibly). However, you can't run it thhat way for very long.
metalmaker12
02-02-2013, 04:32 PM
You can run a ej207 with a 02 usdm ecu, you just have to change mapping slightly, it has been done on one of my older cars, and at first will be how I run my 818 to fool proof the registration/inspection process. My friend who is a guru with tuning subarus, (like the best i have ever seen) and I will be running a map to accomplish just this. Although you can run the 02 usdm ecu it is preferred to run the jdm ecu to run the avcs. There is some wiring changes to a usdm wrx harness that also have to be made to run avcs, but no biggy. I can get you perimeters to set the ecu, and a PDF on the pin changes and add in.
Get a ej207, brakes, wheels, front lower aluminum control arms, rear aluminum toe links, cluster, jdm steering. Certain jdm 5spds have lsd's that will take me some research, but I am sure a tuner out there will put my American *** to shame and help you out. Good luck and the car seen is very cool over there, been there like 8 years ago to visit a family friend.
bnr32jason
02-12-2013, 10:36 AM
Subaru-enthusiast friend of mine here has told me to get the GC8 STi RA transmission since it's 5spd, includes a diff, and has better gearing than the US transmission. Spotted a couple on Yahoo Auctions Japan for about $600, but not going to get it yet, gonna wait until I'm closer to actually leaving.
How is the JDM steering rack better?
Thanks for all of the information, I'll start scouring junkyards for these parts.
Mechie3
02-12-2013, 10:42 AM
brakes, wheels, front lower aluminum control arms, rear aluminum toe links, jdm steering.
Are the brakes any different from what you can get in the US? The control arms and toe links can be had in the US. Don't know if JDM steering is any better than STI/06+wrx steering. If there's no difference, it might be cheaper to buy it in the US than to buy in Japan (with the stronger Yen) and pay to ship it here.
bnr32jason
02-12-2013, 10:44 AM
I wouldn't be paying anything for shipping. It would get packed up with the rest of my belongings and shipped for free. One advantage of being in the military.
The exchange rate is getting MUCH better as of late. When I first moved here $1 was 130yen, for the past couple of years it's been stuck in the mid 70's, but just the last few months it's made a jump into the low 90's.
Unless I find a great deal on a complete STi or find one in a junkyard, I probably won't grab EVERYTHING here, I'll still get the cheapest donor car I can find, likely a 2002 or so WRX when I move back to the US. I'm mostly looking for upgraded OEM Japanese parts that I can pick up here for a decent price. The transmission was the big one for me, but if I can get a deal on the Brembo STi brakes here I will as well. If the LCA's are aluminum here but a different material in the US, I'll get them here. Things like that. :)
Keep us updated on your finds, I'm curious of the hoops you have to jump through for importing. I see these JDM engines going for a small fortune online; if I could pick up a handful and have them shipped back next time I'm in Japan I'd probably do so. Unfortunately I have no idea how one goes about becoming an importer.
bnr32jason
02-12-2013, 07:05 PM
Keep us updated on your finds, I'm curious of the hoops you have to jump through for importing. I see these JDM engines going for a small fortune online; if I could pick up a handful and have them shipped back next time I'm in Japan I'd probably do so. Unfortunately I have no idea how one goes about becoming an importer.
Again, that's where being military is beneficial, my stuff doesn't go through the normal customs route. So no worries about importing anything. :)
But I'm not going to bring back multiple engines or anything, just what I need.
pondo
02-12-2013, 08:00 PM
From what i've heard/read, as military you can bring over a car from overseas and be exempt from NHTSA and EPA import requirements. This is a HUGE deal if it's true...you can pick up a JDM R34 and make $30k right there or other similar highly desired JDM cars which are rare/expensive in the states...
metalmaker12
02-12-2013, 08:17 PM
I have heard this, but I think it might be hard to pass emissions for inspection. Hey find out, cause this would be cool
bnr32jason
02-12-2013, 08:47 PM
From what i've heard/read, as military you can bring over a car from overseas and be exempt from NHTSA and EPA import requirements. This is a HUGE deal if it's true...you can pick up a JDM R34 and make $30k right there or other similar highly desired JDM cars which are rare/expensive in the states...
My dad was stationed here back in the 60's when he was in the Navy and he brought a car back with him without any hassel. Unfortunately it is just not that way today. I know one person who has successfully brought back a car and got it LEGALLY registered in his state, but even that took him considerable time and effort. This is another discussion topic entirely, so I won't go into too much detail, but I've been in Japan for 7 years and I've seen literally hundreds of people talk about bringing their cars back with them and eventually everyone gives up because it's just too difficult. Bringing back parts is another story, I've seen guys bring back five or six different engines with them and then sell them in the US. But I don't want to deal with that, if I was single maybe, but I've got a family of four to look after.
bnr32jason
02-12-2013, 08:49 PM
I have heard this, but I think it might be hard to pass emissions for inspection. Hey find out, cause this would be cool
This is why I'm probably just going to use a US spec engine. I'm not sure how other states work, but in Washington there is a visual inspection when registering a kit car on top of the emissions testing. So I'm not sure if a Japanese sourced engine would pass the visual inspection or not.
metalmaker12
02-12-2013, 09:11 PM
Why would it not, A jdm EJ looks just like a Usdm EJ engine, and there are no vins on either.
bnr32jason
02-12-2013, 09:43 PM
Why would it not, A jdm EJ looks just like a Usdm EJ engine, and there are no vins on either.
I was unaware of that. I thought there would be distinguishing markings. Isn't there some way that the police can check if an engine has been reported stolen? I thought there was some unique identifying number on the block or something.
If not, that's good news, I'll have to start looking for a good deal on an engine and wiring here.
If I can get the JDM EJ20 complete with wiring harness and ECU and the STi RA 5-spd I want, it should be cheaper to source the rest of the parts in the US from a non-turbo Impreza.
But the emissions stuff still scares me because I know there are different emissions requirements between here and the US. For example, we don't have the little charcoal canisters in cars here, where I think it's a requirement in the US isn't it? Pardon my ignorance, I've been living overseas for the last 10 years.
I'm curious about this as well since I'm living in Japan and considering doing the same thing of bringing back some good JDM parts in my HHG. Where are you located in Japan? I work on NAF Atsugi. I'm hoping since this will be a world car that FFR will post some detailed info on what JDM parts can be used from what donors...
bnr32jason
02-13-2013, 09:37 AM
Okinawa. But I'll likely be sourcing major parts like the transmission from mainland Japan. Probably Yahoo Auctions Japan.
Slatt
02-13-2013, 10:15 PM
You might want to be careful that the LCA you get isn't TOO fancy. I believe some JDM cars had LCAs that actually moved the hub forward a bit, increasing the wheelbase, in order to get more caster. That's great for strut cars but maybe not for the 818 suspension.
bbjones121
02-14-2013, 12:57 AM
Just get a Legacy gt 5sp. Same strength as STI 5sp.
VMO/MMO
02-14-2013, 03:20 AM
I am interested in this too. Waiting to try and figure out how to license this car in Thailand before I start, but JDM parts are much easier to get here than US spec parts. I need a RHD steering rack anyways :-)
I just don't know much about Subaru stuff yet
pondo
02-14-2013, 09:28 AM
What about bringing back just the nose of a car cut right behind the front seats? The parts not used in the 818 would catch a nice penny on the various subie forums (IE JDM 6 speed).
bnr32jason
02-14-2013, 10:27 AM
Just get a Legacy gt 5sp. Same strength as STI 5sp.
Can you comment on which year models?
We've got a ***TON*** of Subaru Legacy B4's here (Americans love them) so it would be really easy to get parts from one of those.
bnr32jason
02-14-2013, 10:29 AM
What about bringing back just the nose of a car cut right behind the front seats? The parts not used in the 818 would catch a nice penny on the various subie forums (IE JDM 6 speed).
I considered this, but I can't ship anything back that big without paying for it. Shipping containers big enough to ship a front clip would cost way too much.
305mouse
02-14-2013, 01:01 PM
You might want to be careful that the LCA you get isn't TOO fancy. I believe some JDM cars had LCAs that actually moved the hub forward a bit, increasing the wheelbase, in order to get more caster. That's great for strut cars but maybe not for the 818 suspension.
Correct, I forget for which model but I ran into it online the other day. It increases wheelbase by 15mm. Not a lot, but something to be aware of.
Can you comment on which year models?
We've got a ***TON*** of Subaru Legacy B4's here (Americans love them) so it would be really easy to get parts from one of those.
Same here on "mainland" Japan. There is one local for $1500 but it's an auto. I also know a guy selling one next month for $2500 that may be a manual. That's exactly the kind of info I need to find out more about.