Dali Stealth Front License Plate Bracket?

Aiken Drum · 31 January 2003

My car came without a front license plate bracket and, since I hate being pulled over even for a fixit, I think going to bow to WA state law and just put the darned thing on.

Does anyone know if there's a drawback to using the stealth front license plate bracket that Dali sells? Does it significantly impede airflow or is it no big deal?

See here: http://www.daliracing.com/v666-5/catalog/index_browse_part.cfm?focus=604

Thanks...

tewills · 31 January 2003

Originally posted by Aiken Drum:
My car came without a front license plate bracket and, since I hate being pulled over even for a fixit, I think going to bow to WA state law and just put the darned thing on.

Does anyone know if there's a drawback to using the stealth front license plate bracket that Dali sells? Does it significantly impede airflow or is it no big deal?

See here: http://www.daliracing.com/v666-5/catalog/index_browse_part.cfm?focus=604

Thanks...

State Law in Oregon too...never been pulled over (knock on wood) in WA or OR in the 5 years I've lived here.

------------------
Todd E. Williams
'94 NSX Berlina Black/Black

nsxtasy · 31 January 2003

Originally posted by Aiken Drum:
Does it significantly impede airflow or is it no big deal?

It may depend on your climate and how you use your car.

I think airflow is a legitimate concern but that's just my opinion.

I haven't used a front plate here (where it's required) for many years and have never been ticketed for it.

[This message has been edited by nsxtasy (edited 31 January 2003).]

QWKSLVR · 31 January 2003

I use it b/c it's also against the law in VA & I got a $25 ticket, no big deal, but a freakin' processing fee on top of that +$55, so it just wasn't worth the worry in the future. I also got a ticket for the same thing while the car was parked by a meter maid. There are no performance or radiator function drawbacks, I think Mark Johnson would have covered that if he thought otherwise. The only drawback is that w/ shipping, I ended paying close to $50, you could easily fabricate one by bending an aluminum sheet or brackets & drilling holes.

[This message has been edited by QWKSLVR (edited 31 January 2003).]

Vytas · 31 January 2003

I don't think there's much to be concerned about. I have the Dali radiator shield and have tracked my car over six times with it installed and my temp gauge has stayed put like it always has.

Your plate will not be in contact with the radiator and the gap between the plate and radiator will be quite large. If it was wedged right up against the radiator, then I'd be very concerned.

nsxbuilder · 1 February 2003

Hold on little camper!

Here in the Land of 10,000 Stupid Laws, we have a front plate requirement as well. I haven't run one for on any car I've owned for 20+ years.

I've paid five $45 tickets over the years, but have only been pulled over for it once. The rest were meter maid tickets-now that'll frost you! I've paid them all, but in person, and made it known that it's a stupid law that has nothing to do with public safety, and I protest it. One judge agreed with me and waived the fine.

My point? Fight the system if you think its wrong. To just pay it, or worse yet, to buckle under and put a plate on your car just lets them control you a little bit more. Revolution now!

Soap box concluded,

-Ed www.nsxbuilder.com

matteni · 1 February 2003

I have heated the engine oil significantly on the track with the combination of high temp, hummidity, keeping it near readline around most of this track, the Dali front plate holder, and the standard version of the Dali radiator shield.

BTW - the temp gauge never moved but my car started telling me what was up when I kept getting stuck at 7k RPMs (kind of scary and dangerous on the track when your NSX does this). I had tracked several times with this combination but it was only on a very hot / humid day where it really become a problem.

Dali recommends the track version of the rad. shield and removing the front plate holder for serious tracking.

I went ahead and removed the rad shield all together.

------------------
Nick M

91' Red/Black with Many Mods
99' Honda Odyssey with Many Kids

Brody · 1 February 2003

I too live in WA state and I'm on my second NSX neither have had a front plate.Never been pulled over once.

Aiken Drum · 1 February 2003

I dunno, Brody, I live on the east side of the lake, and I think the Bellevue traffic cops are just a little on the compulsive side. I think they get bored there, not much crime to crack down on and all.

Maybe I'll just put the bracket in the trunk with the front plate and say I've been meaning to put it on but keep forgetting.

I just hate getting pulled over.

Spencer · 1 February 2003

I too, live near Bellevue. I agree, the Eastside cops are just looking for an excuse to pull you over. I have used the Dali license plate bracket and have yet to see the temperature even guage move. But one thing's for sure, given Washington State's .08 blood alcohol level, I wouldn't have a beer and then drive it without a front plate...

Spencer · 1 February 2003

(Note: picture taken before license plate installed)

nsxtasy · 1 February 2003

Originally posted by matteni:
I have heated the engine oil significantly on the track with the combination of high temp, hummidity, keeping it near readline around most of this track, the Dali front plate holder, and the standard version of the Dali radiator shield.

BTW - the temp gauge never moved but my car started telling me what was up when I kept getting stuck at 7k RPMs (kind of scary and dangerous on the track when your NSX does this). I had tracked several times with this combination but it was only on a very hot / humid day where it really become a problem.

Dali recommends the track version of the rad. shield and removing the front plate holder for serious tracking.

I went ahead and removed the rad shield all together.

I was at the track with Nick on one of those blistering hot and humid weekends at Gateway International in August of '98. I think that was the hottest track event I ever attended (out of ~110). My stock NSX (no front plate and no radiator shield) held up fine, no ill effects whatsoever.

Tom239 · 1 February 2003

Front plate laws are not wholly without a purpose. Some California cities have automated cameras at intersections to catch red light violators; they get a photo of the front of the car.

I don't mean to start an involved discussion about the pros and cons of automated cameras for traffic law enforcement. But I note that rampant red light running is a real problem in some areas.

Lud · 1 February 2003

Nick - Just curious how you linked a throttle hang at 7k RPM to oil temperature?

grippgoat · 2 February 2003

I drove my NSX in Redmond, mostly, for 2 years w/o a front plate, and no law enforcement officer (state, redmond, or king county) ever even MENTIONED the lack of plate when I was pulled over.

I got two speeding tickets (one on E. Lake Sammamish Pkwy, don't remember the other), once with no ticket (no radar, just visually knew I was going too fast) by redmond police, once by state police on 520 by the W Lake Sammamish Pkwy Exit (no ticket), and once by King County Sheriff on that road that goes from Sammamish south to Issaqauh for expired tabs (oops). Actually, now I think about it, I think the King County sheriff mentioned lack of plate, but said they didn't care, but he couldn't speak for the state police, or something to that effect.

Last time I priced a new OEM license plate bracket, it was $99, so the Dali one seems pretty reasonable by comparison.

-Mike

nsxtasy · 2 February 2003

Originally posted by grippgoat:
Last time I priced a new OEM license plate bracket, it was $99, so the Dali one seems pretty reasonable by comparison.

Except that, with all the people driving NSXs without using front plates, there are lots of OEM license plate brackets around going unused. I bet anyone who wanted one could find people willing to give theirs away for free...

Brody · 2 February 2003

Hey Aiken I have a spare front license plate bracket you could use if you want to.Just let me know.

Aiken Drum · 2 February 2003

Brody--

Already ordered the Dali bracket and got email that it was on the way, but thanks much for the offer.

---

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I thought it over and I think I'm going to put the plate on for road trips, but otherwise keep it in the trunk. I'm usually pretty good about speed limits, so I shouldn't otherwise anger any police officers. The worst that happens is I have to endure being pulled over (gah) and possibly pay a ticket.

Just have to remember not to park where the meter maids go.

flaminio · 2 February 2003

One more data point -- I've been running with the Dali bracket for a little more than two years now, with no ill effects as far as I can tell.

It's also extremely easy to put on and take off, so if you were going out for a track event and were concerned about airflow, you could take it off in 30 seconds.

My rationale for getting it: clearly, the stock bracket is an abomination, but I didn't want to give the cops one more excuse to pull me over, so the Dali bracket makes for a good compromise.

-Bob ('94 #496)

Craig · 2 February 2003

Mine works great as a hot lap timer mounting bracket.

It's the black car with the blue condom on the front

http://www.daliracing.com/v666-5/info/alt.binary.southwest.nsx.owners/2002.12/index.cfm

[This message has been edited by Craig (edited 02 February 2003).]

nsxtasy · 2 February 2003

Originally posted by Aiken Drum:
I think I'm going to put the plate on for road trips

Keep in mind that you will never never never get stopped for a missing front plate when you're out of state...

Dali Stealth Front License Plate Bracket?

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