Importing engine from states?

[Tenrocca]

A friend of a friend has recently purchased a car in the US and is wanting to ship it back in the not too distant future. Hes scouting around for anyone who wants to fill the rest of the space in the container to share costs.

After only a week of research in definately jumping the gun, but what are the pros\cons of importing an engine (likely LS1) from the states? Will I have problems with ADR if its not a locally delivered engine? Would I really save that much, or are the few dollars I save not really worth the extra hassle?

Also...what there any other big ticket parts that could be sourced cheaper in the US?

Cheers.

[Bathrone]

ADRs are specific to this country and so too, I believe the software tune found within the ECU.

You may find that the US has stronger emissions laws (I seem to remember something about the euro and cali laws being uber strict) than us but I dont know any facts and I reckon its a hefty gamble.

Maybe you could make it look like a local motor anyway.....then again what about engine numbers.

[Tenrocca]

How do you prove an engine is what it is? Reading through previous posts it looks as though just making an engine number up in the past has been successful?

Like you say a big risk either way and prob not worth it in the end.

[400TT]

Import duty for car parts drops from 15% to 10% on 1st January 2005. :-)

To bring in car parts you have to pay import duty of 15% and then on top of that GST. It is on the entire amount, including freight charges.

I've been thinking about bringing in set of Pirelli tyres and some other stuff.

If anyone knows a wheel/tyre dealer that would do a good price on set of Simmons wheels & Pirelli's, let me know.

Link to customs site that has duty levels.

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4273

Go to Chapter 87 for tariffs for car stuff.

[Bathrone]

400TT thats true if you play by the rules. My observation is that there is alot hapenning thats not.

[750hp]

Isn't the Aussie dollar looking inviting against the USD !!! To think I bought all of my Cobra parts from the States when the dollars was at 0.59USD, now it's looking to break 0.79USD by next week.....

Where is your mate's container landing. I'm sure it would best for him if it landed in Brisbane. 400TT would agree

[Aussie Mike]

Just ordered my Christmass prezzies from Sumit Racing in the US. Should be here in a week or two.

I'm runing a US import motor in mine. Check the engine prices at Eagle Auto spares in Dandenong (mebourne) before you take the plunge.

Cheers

[Tenrocca]

They look like they have opened a store in Sydney recently as well. LS1..$6750. Im not sure how much I would have sourcing one in the US. Prob not worth the hassle.

With the dollar looking so good, can we expect a lot of parts like this to go down in price in the future anyway?

[400TT]

Mike, how did you go with summit racing as to overseas order. Have you ordered from them before? Did you just use credit card?

Been getting delivery prices on Corvette front arm polyurethane bushes from US. Corvette Central will cost AU$147 delivered. Chev Parts here charge AU$289 or I can get them from a local parts guy for AU$220.

Summit have Energy polyurethane bushes for US$60, cheap. Would also get a couple of Ford Racing rocker covers US$107, shipped over as well. If sent by air should just scrape in without any duty/gst. See what options they give me. I can probably wait the 6-8 weeks for normal post and save on shipping charges. Plus the duty free limit increases from $250 to $1000 for post.

Now what else do I need while the dollar is strong. Hmm, could do with nice Oil Filter Chrome Cover. :-)

[Aussie Mike]

I ordered a big set of Auto meter guages a couple of B&M Shifters, a fuel pressure guage and some ARP flywheel bolts.

I just rang them and used my credit card. I've ordered a bit of stuff from the US and other countries but this is the first time from Summit.

Prices were excellent compared to here especially on the guages. I'd probably be looking at nearly $2K for the guages alone If I bought them here and I paid probebly 2/3 of that.

The shipping is the killer. I think Summit have a deal with a few of the shipping companies and get reasonable prices. I went with DHL and suposedly the shipping will be about $100US

Cheers

[400TT]

Thanks Mike, just contacted Summit for a quote. Prices do seem good. Will be interesting to see what shipping ends up as.

Just remembered that my brother brought back a fuel regulator for fellow Cobra Club member from Summit when over in US.

[sevenohms]

I just brought in a EFI manifold. I used APX international, who use DHL. They were cheaper by 100US (on the 400 US shipping)