Driving a Dutch Challenger in the US; what government rules am I facing?

Author Topic: Driving a Dutch Challenger in the US; what government rules am I facing?  (Read 11959 times)

Offline challenger500

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Re: Driving a Dutch Challenger in the US; what government rules am I facing?
« Reply #30 on: November 22, 2011 - 10:35:28 PM »
Ay Sir,

few notes and facts.

I moved from Finland to US in 2009, moved my Chally to US. Drove first 1,5 years with Finnish plates. In practise, once you establish a local address one should register the car locally + local insurance. But in your case you're only visiting so you're OK with your plates and your insurance, because you just can't have one unless you've "established locally". Just make sure your local insurance company covers also abroad (all in all, you'll drive around Europe..or Canadians drive in US.. nothing specific in that field).
other than that... for speeding "there's time and place" as the CHP officer said when we discussed this over at beer and debated about his 600hp Vette performance and "time/place"

In practise highway patrol/local police are not that interested on your plates as far as your car is not a complete mess, they usually appreciate oldies in good shape and do not bother about your plates. That's what I've experienced in California.. and also discussed about this issue with quite many CHP and local officers (well, happened that my neighbor was SJPD el capitan, and couple of other in that field).

About the gas, as already mentioned is just plain crap. I was ok with V-Power back in Finland, and refueling first time V-power locally in CA resulted = reset timing advance, and stiffer advance curve = crappy output. Resolution, 50% V-power / 50% Sunoco 100 at local 76, reset advance springs and total advance back to original setup, all good. rock'n'roll. Cold hard fact, tested.
Dementia already from the year...mmmm ???




Offline Pale Rider

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Re: Driving a Dutch Challenger in the US; what government rules am I facing?
« Reply #31 on: November 23, 2011 - 03:03:56 AM »
Thx Ch500, that's some valuable info!

- Getting pulled over everytime because of the alien plates is->was a concern of mine.
- I made the same comparison with Canadians driving in the US vs. me driving around Europe last summer. Insurance shouldn't be a big issue.
- I know I have a 'reputation' of drving very fast, but I do that only where it is legal (ok, most of the time  :naughty:). But I have no intention to trigger the police force over there.
- I know I'll have to bring a trunk full of octane boosters with me.
I'm not sure if I can follow you about what (mix of?) gas to use and what (not?) to do with timing...

Offline msbaugh

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Re: Driving a Dutch Challenger in the US; what government rules am I facing?
« Reply #32 on: November 23, 2011 - 03:22:33 PM »
I Imagine what I'd do If I had one week left to live, I would sell everything I own get my girl and do exactly what you're doing! Except I would break every speed limit out there lol

Offline Pale Rider

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Re: Driving a Dutch Challenger in the US; what government rules am I facing?
« Reply #33 on: November 23, 2011 - 03:28:44 PM »
I Imagine what I'd do If I had one week left to live, I would sell everything I own get my girl and do exactly what you're doing! Except I would break every speed limit out there lol

Well you know the saying; 'Live like it's your last day'  ... :angelwings:

Offline msbaugh

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Re: Driving a Dutch Challenger in the US; what government rules am I facing?
« Reply #34 on: November 23, 2011 - 03:58:34 PM »
Very good life motto I'd say :)

Offline challenger500

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Re: Driving a Dutch Challenger in the US; what government rules am I facing?
« Reply #35 on: November 30, 2011 - 10:08:20 PM »
66, the mixture... just hunt down a 76's as some of the stations are selling Sunoco100 (European terms octane rating is 106) at the pump.. just fill e.g. 50/50 Sunoco/regular... or whatever you see/test applicable  :)
Depends a bit of your setup. Local auto part stores are selling octane booster but I'd prefer Sunoco over that. And price wise gallon of Sunoco equals to your V-power per liter so it's cheap  :grin yes:

here's link to check the stations state by state selling race fuel... you can do en route as needed
http://www.sunocoinc.com/site/Consumer/RaceFuels/260GT100Locations/
Dementia already from the year...mmmm ???

Offline Pale Rider

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Re: Driving a Dutch Challenger in the US; what government rules am I facing?
« Reply #36 on: December 01, 2011 - 03:11:55 AM »
Thx again Ch500!
Did a quick check, but no Texas, New Mexico and Nevada unfortunately. And Arizona, California and Utah stations seem off route, but have to check that in further detail.
Are they the only ones selling higher octane fuel or are there others, with perhaps a bit less octane than this one, but still higher than average?

Offline RB2929

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Re: Driving a Dutch Challenger in the US; what government rules am I facing?
« Reply #37 on: December 01, 2011 - 07:38:02 AM »
Roland,
Worried about octane? You can purchase octane boost to add to the tank whenever you fill up.  Here in the States, there’s an O’Reillys, Advance Auto, Auto Zone parts stores on every other corner.  On the other corners are 7-11 (convenience stores open 24 hours a day) that have car care products, to include octane boost.  Additionally, Wal-Marts, Targets, etc, all carry car care products.  Finding car parts and accessories is not an issue over here.
Ron

Offline Pale Rider

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Re: Driving a Dutch Challenger in the US; what government rules am I facing?
« Reply #38 on: December 01, 2011 - 07:53:41 AM »
Well, you guys got me worrying about octane  ;)
This summer on my trip to the Alps, I had several bottles of octane booster in my trunk.
I guess/understand in the US this is a more common product that I can buy anywhere, than it is over here in Europe.
So no need to stuff my trunk with octane boosters before shipment to the US.  :thumbsup:

Offline RB2929

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Re: Driving a Dutch Challenger in the US; what government rules am I facing?
« Reply #39 on: December 01, 2011 - 08:05:21 AM »
Roland-
No worries about getting car care products.
As a matter of fact, you may want to review the O’Reilly’s, Auto Zone, Napa, Advance Auto web sites.
They all still carry many parts for the Chally.  Buying them here and shipping them back in your car will be a lot cheaper than to order online and delivered directly to your house.
Also, when you have a firmer itinerary of the route and cities you’ll be traveling, we can provide you a list of performance stores where you can get, well, performance parts.

Offline Padawan

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Re: Driving a Dutch Challenger in the US; what government rules am I facing?
« Reply #40 on: December 01, 2011 - 10:20:26 AM »
This summer on my trip to the Alps, I had several bottles of octane booster in my trunk.
What, were you not satisfied by the 98 and 100 RON fuels we have there in Switzerland?  :eek7: :lol:
« Last Edit: December 01, 2011 - 10:25:55 AM by Padawan »
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Offline Pale Rider

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Re: Driving a Dutch Challenger in the US; what government rules am I facing?
« Reply #41 on: December 01, 2011 - 10:27:17 AM »
What, were you not satisfied by the 98 and 100 octane fuels we have there in Switzerland?  :eek7: :lol:

Oh, yes I was, but not every gas station in the Netherlands/Germany/Austria/Italy/Switzerland/France/Belgium had those octane fuels.
So for the occasions where I found only 95 octane fuel, I brought those boosters.

Offline challenger500

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Re: Driving a Dutch Challenger in the US; what government rules am I facing?
« Reply #42 on: December 01, 2011 - 03:37:12 PM »
Well, you can always drive gently  :icon16:
See, the case is if you need oct booster in Europe, you'll need substantially more of it in this side of the pond!! trial-error tells you the ending.
Dementia already from the year...mmmm ???

Offline MEK-Dangerfield

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Re: Driving a Dutch Challenger in the US; what government rules am I facing?
« Reply #43 on: December 01, 2011 - 04:51:56 PM »
Aren't the octane ratings in Europe different than here in the states? I know that's true for the Countries "down under".

Mike

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Offline brads70

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Re: Driving a Dutch Challenger in the US; what government rules am I facing?
« Reply #44 on: December 01, 2011 - 04:54:29 PM »
I ran a Edelbrock water injection system on a 383 Chevy that had quite a bit of compression. Worked great...you sure knew it when you ran out of water! :grinyes:   just an idea?
Brad
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Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0