how to decode vin?

[burntmushu]

I haven't gotten my car but i got the vin and i'd like to research on building this block up. like what number or letter mean. thanx.

[08.5MS3]

You're welcome. Now donate for the real thing.

[rodrigo]

r u retarded? wut u want a fucken numbers matching ms3 so u cant take it to barret jackson motherfucker???

or u wanna see if it was the night or day shift that bolted the seats in?


nub

[burntmushu]

well lenny... to answer your question no. not trying to match the numbers. trying to do research on what body type and what parts would interchange. and for the block i'm trying to figure out if the original owner did a jdm or if it's a usdm motor. and since i don't have the car sitting in front of me and is 1000miles away all i got to work with is the vin. that's why i was asking.

[nickpratt]

I know this is old but googled took me here. my vin says that it is the federal/Canada not the cali digit. What's the difference on that part? Also the Hiroshima/ Hofu part. That is the plant in japan right?

[ihasmazda]

Yeah, Mazda has a factory in Hofu and Hiroshima so I'm guessing that this is where it was made, one of the two.
The federal/canada digit I would guess is the market category as to where the car was originally sold - the California one probably has more emissions crap on it. I'm sure others would know more specifics...