6G Celicas Forums

LHD AWD Celica by tearing down the ST205 and putting everything into the ST204 effectively keeping the VIN# etc for easier registration, etc

After doing a lot of research after my last post (and not sleeping last night), I've concluded that this is a semi-impossible dream in the US, especially California.

So first I looked up importation laws. Since the ST205 specifically was not released in the US in any way, shape, or form I don't think it will be approved.
To keep explanations short and concise, as quoted from AllTrac.net by gt4st205

"One way is VERY expensive, very long, and i wouldn't recomment it. What you'd have to do is provide 4 ST205's to the us government to crash test, they don't have to be running, but the engine blocks and seats(with seat belts) need to be in place. this is not the smartest route because you need to pay for shipment of all the cars, as well as the price for crashing the cars.

"If you have a relative or trusted friend in Canada you can ship it to them, have them register it. It would get a canadian VIN, which then could be transfered to the states.

"The easiest way (and cheapest) is to ship it to the states as a "track car". to do this you need to fit it to certain retrictions that are required with a US registered style of racing, such as roll bar, racing seats, fire surpression, and harnesses. the one downfall to this is that you'd need to wait untill the car is 22 yrs old to be able to drive it on the road."

Another method he didn't mention is transfer the parts I would want for conversion, namely, the engine, tranny, etc. (separately unfortunately, which will be costly)

I could go through Canada since my cousin lives in BC, Canada.

Maybe I'll do this with the All Trac 1992 Celica instead, since it was available in the US market.


But hey if I ever change my mind whats the name of your shop?

Sorry to bump this topic, but I didn't want to start another one.

I'm thinking about doing this too with a (JP) GT-Four ST205 and a (US) GT ST204

looking at prices, buying the ST205 from japan runs about 3-5 grand and buying the ST204 isn't too hard.
both cars i'm looking at are 1994. Is anyone here from southern california?

I was debating on doing this conversion or buying an old mk3 supra and do a 1JZ swap, but I figured a celica would be less of a headache.