number plate repositioning

number plate repositioning

Author
Discussion

SLINC

Original Poster:

106 posts

202 months

Tuesday 1st September 2009
quotequote all
Hi all,
I'm keen on ditching the OEM Number plate surround on my V8V and going for a direct connection.
I've seen plenty of examples of this on photos within the classifieds.

I seem to remember this was discussed on a previous topic strand a few months back - but can't seem to locate it.

My main concern is that the lowered plate would disrupt the airflow to the intakes and perhaps cause problems or, god forbid(!), a drop in power. eek

Anybody got any pearls of wisdom on this or how best to go about the change...?

Gatso

227 posts

245 months

lady topaz

3,855 posts

260 months

Wednesday 2nd September 2009
quotequote all
SLINC said:
Hi all,
I'm keen on ditching the OEM Number plate surround on my V8V and going for a direct connection.
I've seen plenty of examples of this on photos within the classifieds.

I seem to remember this was discussed on a previous topic strand a few months back - but can't seem to locate it.

My main concern is that the lowered plate would disrupt the airflow to the intakes and perhaps cause problems or, god forbid(!), a drop in power. eek

Anybody got any pearls of wisdom on this or how best to go about the change...?
Its ever so easy, just unscrew plate, unbolt and remove box. Reposition plate. I had mine poitioned so top edge level with bottom of grill. Where I had the screws fitted to ensure they were unseen it did leave the plate proud either end but double sided tape quickly sorted that, and no problems since.




I have been advised by many that the airflow isnt an issue unless you are really giving it some beans, say on a track or in a very hot climate.

Liam... Just seen on your profile you are Beckenham area. I work in Beckenham. If you want to look at mine anytime fnarr, fnarr, just PM me.

Di

Edited by lady topaz on Wednesday 2nd September 08:18

rick-derby-

1,105 posts

193 months

Wednesday 2nd September 2009
quotequote all
The air ducting for the intake is positioned to each side of the upper grille so no issues there, I have seen a large proportion of cars with this mod, I have not seen a single car or heard of a report of anyone having any issues in relation to this, i have seen radiators and condensers chocked with leaves and other debris and still not shown any signs of overheating etc,

hussar10a

449 posts

220 months

Wednesday 2nd September 2009
quotequote all
Takes no longer than 20 minutes, like Di I used screws into the original bumper mounting holes and a bit of tape to hold back the "flappy" edges.

I left my plate full size so as not to attract any unwanted "attention" but had the plate madeup without the GB thingy or black makers trade name etc so it's completely plain which I think looks better still. (Exactly as per Di's photo)


Edited by hussar10a on Wednesday 2nd September 13:12


Edited by hussar10a on Wednesday 2nd September 16:31

steve_amv8

1,906 posts

216 months

Wednesday 2nd September 2009
quotequote all
Gatso said:
I got hold of a plate holder a couple of weeks after I took those pics - I think they came from some standard production car (Saab maybe?) but my local dealer happened to have a pair in the bin! smile Looks much better now.

I mounted mine slightly off centre (vertically) but avoided putting it low down. Whilst I am sure Rick is right about it not affecting anything, I didn't fancy taking the chance since (correct me if I'm wrong) the oil cooler is behind the lower grille .... biggrin

In fact, I prefer it centrally placed as it looks better balanced.


Edited by steve_amv8 on Friday 4th September 07:42

Gatso

227 posts

245 months

Wednesday 2nd September 2009
quotequote all
so how is it compared to mine Steve?



steve_amv8

1,906 posts

216 months

Friday 4th September 2009
quotequote all
Gatso said:
so how is it compared to mine Steve?
Pretty much the same, although I prefer your surround I think! (but then beggars can't be choosers and it was all I could find at the time smile )

Might plate is slightly higher, but not intentionally.




bogie

16,565 posts

278 months

Friday 4th September 2009
quotequote all
same on mine but with a 3/4 plate

[URL=http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2117813890039429722KnCVCR][/URL]

think it must be on the new owner checklist:

1. remove fuse 22
2. remove 5mph impact bumper/number plate holder

any other fave minor mods? smile

XXXAngelXXX

1,711 posts

234 months

Friday 4th September 2009
quotequote all
this...



Edited by XXXAngelXXX on Friday 4th September 12:35

bogie

16,565 posts

278 months

Friday 4th September 2009
quotequote all
oh yes, i forgot about the extra warning stickers smile

Knights of Aston

311 posts

184 months

Tuesday 8th September 2009
quotequote all
If you're going to fit the plate directly to the bumper go slightly higher (like Gatso). There's an oil cooler for the engine in that lower grille so you don't want to reduce airflow to it if you can avoid it.

Murph7355

38,669 posts

262 months

Tuesday 8th September 2009
quotequote all
Knights of Aston said:
If you're going to fit the plate directly to the bumper go slightly higher (like Gatso). There's an oil cooler for the engine in that lower grille so you don't want to reduce airflow to it if you can avoid it.
It makes no difference whatsoever.

smile

Grinning

157 posts

198 months

Wednesday 9th September 2009
quotequote all
Double sided sticky tape only used for the last 18 months with top edge of plate flush with bottom edge of upper grille - absolutely no issues, no drilling, no fixings (double-sided tape), 20 minutes to bin (well, put in cellar) a kilo of bumper clutter.

oceantools

260 posts

197 months

Wednesday 9th September 2009
quotequote all
Looking at the various options, the one that stands out as the best looking and most in keeping is Bogie's 3/4 plate. That looks superb!

Edited by oceantools on Wednesday 9th September 07:56

bogie

16,565 posts

278 months

Wednesday 9th September 2009
quotequote all
oceantools said:
Looking at the various options, the one that stands out as the best looking and most in keeping is Bogie's 3/4 plate. That looks superb!

Edited by oceantools on Wednesday 9th September 07:56
thanks, better pic here, a 3/4 size, but with legal style font dosent look out of keeping IMO, and also only hangs over onto the grill above/below by about 5mm. its been stuck on with heavy duty velcro for a few years now (I have a full size one with velcro to change over quick if the law were ever bothered about it)

[URL=http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2636521610039429722FbUzvn][/URL]

actually Ive just realised, it looks ever so slightly wonky LOL ...I must adjust it a little smile

nofuse22

209 posts

181 months

Tuesday 2nd March 2010
quotequote all
Hi guys

Got back home today and discovered that the black number plate holder had been cracked (not entirely sure when this happened though the car had just been parked in a Gatwick short stay car park so i have my suspicions), so looks like I am going for the minimalist plate look too (I always meant to get around to it as it definitely looks better holder-less! smile )

I have removed the black holder and the metal plate that sits behind the holder. However I have been left with 4 bolts which go through the grill and somewhere into the mystery that is the engine bay! Can anyone please tell me how i remove these bolts, as the front is looking pretty Frankenstein-esque with the 4 bolts showing through above the plate!

many thanks in advance

GlynMo

1,140 posts

255 months

Tuesday 2nd March 2010
quotequote all
From memory, the 4 bolts are star-heads; you just unscrew them and the nuts are captive so stay where they are. (If I've got the right bolts!)

Edited by GlynMo on Tuesday 2nd March 17:40

bogie

16,565 posts

278 months

Tuesday 2nd March 2010
quotequote all
actually I think the number plate holder also serves as the US market "5mph impact bumper" so you do lose some protection from bump parking muppets frown

nofuse22

209 posts

181 months

Wednesday 3rd March 2010
quotequote all
Thanks GlynMo

These are the bolts that i was referring to.. how did you remove these? Is it just a spanner? (Sorry - am not very technical at all!)



Edited by nofuse22 on Wednesday 3rd March 10:51