spartan

Cost? Maybe comparable ... OK - so I realise there are plenty of other options. Please - humour me!

Of course, someone's already way ahead of me - found this (fascinating thread): http://www.supraforums.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=25065 WARNING: don't start reading it now if you're planning to do something else within the next 5 hours ...

(could also be entitled facelift 97-on SZ-R to RZ conversion - pretty sure this hasn't been discussed anywhere on this forum, apologies if it has and I haven't found it - it's been pointed out to me that the NA VVTi car might be very rare) Hello all Relative newbie here - been lurking for a while on the look-out to purchase my ultimate Supra = RZ VVTi 6-speed Of course no such luck yet but I have asked Jurgen to keep his eyes open for me. However, a chance find on eBay (apologies if that amounts to swearing to some) set me thinking .... When I look at the model differences between a full-option VVTi SZ-R and RZ, I noticed (OK, it's obvious) that the major difference is that one's NA and the other's TT; the rest of the goodies, however, are already there. "So what?", you ask. Well, I understand that there's really no problem importing a NA VVTi to the UK - a model report exists - and you could get one, relatively new (the oldest is just 10 years old now), low-mileage and in the colour of your choice (quicksilver for me!) AND for about half the price of a similar TT (if you could import one at all - for gray imports this seems to be a very gray area!). To make this NA my ultimate Supra, all I'd need to do (ha!) is swap the lump for a TT VVTi and, well, what else? This is where the thread really starts: 1. VVTi TT engine (with all the bits still on it) 2. ECU 3. Fuse box 4. Engine loom 5. Radiator 6. Diff. (final drive different) 7. Exhaust manifold 8. Downpipes 9. Exhaust 10. Airbox 11. Intercooler and piping What am I missing? Probably heaps! The last four items on the list are probably nothing to worry about - if you were doing the engine swap, you'd probably be going non-stock with these anyway. If you were importing the SZ-R then you might as well ask your 'agent' to source the other bits for you and stick them on the boat with the car. When it gets here, you have a car you can drive until you work-up the nerve to do the conversion! Then insure it as - what - modified SZ-R or RZ? Probably the least of your worries!

Thanks for the quick response, Jurgen - very encouraging I'll contact you via your website. Cheers!

Sorry for bringing this thread back to life ... I'm a newbie who's been on the look-out for a late-model VVTi TT 6-speed - I know! - like Rocking Horse Sh1t. Anyway just wondering whether if this means that, come Sept. 2007 (not long now!) if such a car could be found in Japan it could be imported and registered legitimately here in the UK with just an MOT (no model report/ESVA required)? For the record I had a UK TT manual back in 1997 which I traded for a Skyline R33 V-Spec (UK model too). Not trying to show off, just stating that here I am 10 years later trying to get back into the best car I've ever had! If you're thinking of selling yours, bear that in mind! Unless you've got one for me of course!