Just wondering which of you guys have gotten fined for your JDM conversion and where. I'm trippin' now.. I don't want to get the $300 fine!

 

did you get one??

 

No, and I'm praying I don't, because if I do, I'm probably gonna sell my car! I don't wanna have to pay $300 each time! Just curious as to where I should NOT drive

 

y would u get fined for jdm conversion in bay area..? thats pretty ridiculas in my opinion...

 

PIGS got nothing else to do.....

 

Do the fuggin Cops in Cali pull an ITR over, and say, "You have a JDM front conversion, that's illegal".. They actually know about this kinda stuff?? ****, I'm in the process of becoming a cop. I would pull an ITR over just to look at the car...

 

Folks,

It's not the JDM conversion that they can cite you for.. it's the non-DOT approved headlights that are at issue here.. Yes.. they are OEM for Japan, but that's it..

The reasons they would object to the JDM headlights are the following:

1) Right-hand drive beam pattern, which will GLARE into the eyes of drivers coming the opposite way.. (not a good idea when driving on those dark and lonely highways)

2) NON-DOT approval.. All lighting provided as OEM equipment on cars in the US must undergo DOT safety approval, which definitely covers part #1 above.

3) The fenders/hood are fine.. no issues there. bumper.. well, nothing in the CVC about 5mph bumpers, so they can't cite you for that (yet).

 

Damn.. I dunno if I can take a ~$300 fine for the NON-DOT approval... If I get more than one of those I'm definitely selling the car.

Edit: In regards to the lights pointing to much to the left, there a screws behind the bulb that can adjust the left and right, and up and down for the beam... Would that help and avoid getting pulled over?


[Modified by 1 FAST R, 5:46 PM 4/14/2002]

 

chris..wait..don't sell it yet..still need to take a look at the new and improved Spoon mobile

 

I'm not gonna sell my baby! At least not until I get fined for the front end. Which *knocking on wood* I hope doesn't happen.

 

does anyone know what it takes to get the lights DOT approved?

 

To get something DOT approved, it would take several tens of thousands of dollars (at the bare minimum) to get your lights DOT approved..

It requires engineering work, basically a COMPLETE REDESIGN of the light housing and beam pattern.

Someone needs to come out with JDM head light clusters that are designed for roads that have left-hand drive (i.e. NOT Japan, AU, CHN, or UK). And yep.. JDM fronts were only available as OEM in Japan, and never offered in a LHD country.

With the above facts in mind ($$$$$, and a total redesign of the beam pattern, I'd say forget about getting your lights DOT-approved.. This is something usually reserved for the domain of the manufacturers, not even the aftermarket (not PIAA, Greddy, etc!)

For that matter, Most clear tails are also not DOT approved. If they are, then they have a little "DOT" lettering CAST into the plastic as part of the lens.. Just putting on a little decal that says "DOT approved" or somesuch is NOT going to cut it in front of a nitpicky peace officer..

In other words, don't worry about it until you get pulled over.. it's usually at the discretion of the officer to cite you with whatever he feels you deserve. sigh.. ask me how I know!







[Modified by tracktime, 7:44 PM 4/14/2002]

 

2 and a half years, not once have i been pulled over. Yes i have JDM front, but i try and keep a low profile car so i dont attract to much attention anyways. Its amazing how much less attention you get with a stock exhaust.

 

I was actually thinking about getting a DOT sticker or something... I wonder if there is anyway to emboss "DOT" on the housings like the other writing on the headlights.

 

Hey Chris,

Don't sweat it.. No use worrying about it! Worrying doesn't make things any better! Take it from me!

BTW, your car looks great!

Cheers,
Harry

 

Yeah, you're right Harry, I'll just try and align my headlights so that they are straight, and just stop worrying... Thanks for the compliment on my car!

Cheers

 

 

Gosh, that looks familiar... hehehe

 

Holy cow! Harry! Haven't heard from you in ages! Coming to IAS I hope?

 

If you are want to REDUCE the chances of getting pulled over:

stick with the OEM hood and chin spoiler
get a quiet exhaust with a CARB sticker or a cutom stock looking one w/o a huge tip
don't get HIDs
Use the stock amber fender markers and use amber bulbs for the turnsignals up front
loose the Spoon windshield banner
put on your front plate

This setup would be more incognito. If your car is your daily driver, you must make it more stealth to avoid attention from the po-po.

 

this all makes me wonder why people want the damn front in the first place. seems like a big hassle.

 

and with HID 's that would defenently attrack way more attention !

 

True but also people go thru the samething went do upgrades to there motors.
is the love of the sport