UK Imports and parts

[wtdash]

Hi,
In the UK, I see eBay posts for Subaru parts for UK cars vs. imports INTO the UK. These are for the same Subaru model.

By imports my guess it they're referring to JDM (Japan-spec) cars vs. those built specifically for the UK market.

Can anyone explain better?

For all the more 'experienced' members it reminds one of the 'gray market' BMWs/Mercs popular in the 80's.

FWIW, I'm looking @ buying a ECU from an early WRX/STi and I've read that the Japanese cars have higher octane vs. the rest of the world. I don't mind buying Premium, but I ain't buy AV-gas!

Thanks
TD

[dscoobydoo]

Since the UK has the steering wheel in the right, they do import the JDM cars. But the import costs are not cheap, so not many people go this route. Also, yes, the Japanese do use octane that is rated about 96-97. I would just get 92 and maybe afew gallons of 100 and mix accordingly, or get re-tuned.

If you are looking for JDM ecus, then the Yahoo japan auctions are the way to go. There are a couple companies that will bid for you, pack and ship it also. I picked up my ecus - ej20G STI ones - on the Yahoo auctions.

[wtdash]

^^Thanks for the reply.

I'm not willing to hassle w/the JDM octane requirements. My car is a DD and occasionally makes it over to Seattle (600 miles RT), so needs to run from the pump.

From what I've read the UK's 'petrol' octane is comparable the USA's, so I'll just need to make sure I get a UK-spec ECU to play with.

Looking @ a couple Apexi Power FC + Commander ECU's, which are user-tuneable...but that could be fatal (to the EJ22T) in my hands.

TD

[Legacy777]

The octane specs are different between countries. Our rating is based on RON & MON and I think include AKI. You'd have to look at how the specs are developed for each country to truly determine if the octane ratings are apples to apples.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octane_rating