Show us your custom number-plate mount!

[Okibi]

Go see Richard at MX5 plus he'll be able to show you the ones he makes.

[MX5A]

Hi All,

This was my first mod (if you can call it that) after purchasing the car in May last year.

MAIN GOAL
1. Must be light in construction.
2. Make it Strong, ridged and secure.
3. Must be a DIY project.
4. Keep cost to around $10 (provided you have some basic tools)

The pictures detailed steps taken in construction.

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To be continued . . .

[MX5A]

continued ...

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[bruce]

Why didn't you get a slimline plate? Them big ones are new.

[nick viner]

I have a pommy s/s wire stone grille on my nb and have cable tied my slimline # plate to it in the center. Most mx members gasp when they see it and ask if it overheats.. Not a chance, Watched it today as I drove home it 46c heat and it didn't move the needle at all. Could be a stuffed temp gauge too but I think not.

[Okibi]

Nick don't trust the NB temp gauge, to suit the American market it's more of an idiot gauge (cold - normal - overheating). I've been told that by the time it moves to the "hot" location you've already done damage (I wouldn't have thought Mazda would engineer it that way though).

Also .. when the NB temp gauge jumps up to "normal" temp, the water temperature really isn't at optimum, it generally takes another few minutes for the temperature to get hot enough to open the thermostat, so wait a few more minutes before you do spirited driving.

I've seen MX-5s that run fine with the plate blocking the radiator but as soon as they hit the track they overheat, remove the plate and they run fine around the track all day. The plate does make a difference.

[nick viner]

Thanks for that Okibi . What about fitting a VDO temp guage and where to put it without spoiling a nice cockpit?

[Mr Morlock]

Nick I have a slimline mounted about centre of the mouth. There is still a substantial amount of air flow around the plate and certainly aesthetically it is a superior location. I have not detected any problems of gauge moving beyong normal and I figure if it were detected take the plate off- a 5 min job. I would only imagine that Mazda provide a temp gauge to do what all such devices are intended to do. If you were concerned bear in mind that the stone guard is further restricting air flow and giving it the flick would provide a little more security. As you would know it was common to fit stone guards on headlamps and it was surprising just how much this reduced light output. Okibi suggests a little care and that advice seems right.

[crzymx]

+2

[Okibi]

Thanks for that Okibi . What about fitting a VDO temp gauge and where to put it without spoiling a nice cockpit?

Here is what I have, a Maruha racing temp sensor adaptor





A single din 3 gauge holder under my stereo and an Autometer electronic water temp gauge.

It gives me a more informed perspective on coolant temps at the thermostat.

I don't know at what point the NB gauge switches to "hot", it's never happened with my car which i've very grateful of.

[TieNN89]

I am seeing alot of NSW plates in there, but where are all the QLD ones? i am looking for some imspiration to move my plate, its simple screwed to the front bumper above the mouth, a bit raw and looks a bit funny.

Here

Go see Richard at MX5 plus he'll be able to show you the ones he makes.

Heres mine from MX5 Plus

[Jeo]

Got a Garage Vary lip about a month ago, so my old number plate mount now wouldn't fit. Thus, new one!







Didn't take photos of it but I did paint it black as you could still see the bracket itself from some angles.

[hks_kansei]

here's my dodgey mount.

stock bracket + gal sheet + rivets + flatish bolts = number plate unable to be bent.

[davekmoore]

Dunno about regulations in VIC or Oz in general but when I used to have an original Elan (yes, I'm very old) you were allowed to have a stick-on front number plate. Can we do that here and, if so, where to get the plate from?

[MX5CHIC]

Being that people just love reversing into me I am seriously considering options on mounting the number plate - some great ideas here. Has anyone tried using high density foam rubber behind the plate?
I might even consider a pressure sensitive alarm input so if the plate is forced back more than a few millimetres it trips the alarm ..... maybe I'm dreaming to think my brand new bumper and straightened number plate will survive the onslought of the masses who can't park a car