Science of Speed Stealth Front License Plate Bracket for 2002-2005

[Computron]

Does anyone have one of these Science of Speed Stealth Front License Plate Brackets installed on an 2002-2005 NSX? My 2004 came with one installed, but I can't for the life of me figure out how it's supposed to slide backwards into the hidden position without it bumping up against an electrical connector in the center of the grill area.

Perhaps this one is the old version that is not compatible with the 2002-2005? How can I tell which is the new vs old version?

This shouldn't be so complicated and I don't think I am that technically incompetent to figure this out, but trust me, I have tried every possible way to make this work. Watch it be something stupid and obvious! LOL

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[kwinkler]

You have to completely unscrew the bracket with the license plate from the bracket attached to your car. Then flip it upside down and screw the 2 parts back together as you slide the plate into the hidden position. Definitely not as slick as with the 1991-2001 cars.

 

[Computron]

OMG!!! THANK YOU VERY VERY VERY VERY MUCH!!! I wish they would mention that or have directions on their web site describing what you just explained. I have been trying to slide it in by just loosening the screws and trying to slide it back along the track. That is what it looks like in the little video they have on their site, but that is a pre-2002 NSX.

So one more question... if all I have to do is flip the bracket with the plate upside down to slide it back, can I just leave the bracket that way and then just mount my plate onto the bracket upside down? Then shouldn't I have a properly oriented plate?

Or do you mean I have to flip it upside down so the face of the plate is pointing down toward the ground when sliding back?

 

[kwinkler]

With the license plate normally mounted, it has to be faced down so that it can slide into the hidden position. If you wanted it to function like their video, you'd have to have the license plate brackets attached to the face of the license plate rather than behind. It would probably cover too much of the plate to be legal. FYI, I've never tried to mount mine that way. Since it was not as functional as I liked, I ended up using SOS's fixed angled mounting bracket.

 

[Computron]

Thanks for the insight. So now I know that the face of the plate has to be pointing downward toward the ground for it to be able to go into the hidden position. That's a royal pain. Trying to decide if I should keep this, or just go back to the stock OEM fixed plastic mount.

 

[kwinkler]

If going fixed, I would look at SOS's fixed bracket. It sits below the bumper rather than on/in front on it. The OEM bracket can scratch the paint.

 

[Computron]

I guess if I'm going fixed and don't want to use OEM, and I already have the stealth bracket, is there any difference in just keeping it in the showing position and just pretend it doesn't even have a slide back "stealth" feature? Does the SOS fixed bracket offer anything that warrants buying it if I already have the Stealth bracket?

 

[kwinkler]

You'd just run the risk of those 2 screws loosening and then the plate swinging. I'm sure that risk is minimal and probably eliminated with loctite. I already had their fixed bracket as it was released a month or 2 before the '02-'05 stealth system.

 

[Computron]

I just tried mounting it with plate facing down and it absolutely works. Thanks again kwinkler! Never thought of doing it that way because I was trying to follow the video. Now it makes sense! I think I will just keep the stealth mount since I already have it and just keep it fixed in the showing position. Too much hassle to remove all 4 screws and remount it every time I want to change positions. I wish it worked like the pre-2002 cars.

 

[kwinkler]

I said the exact same thing to myself.

 

[danoff]

I'd love to see what the 30 degree angled plate looks like with some sort of smoked cover on the plate. If anyone has that, a photo would be awesome.

 

[Jinks]

My front license plate is lying on my work bench. In all 5 years of ownership, I have never been pulled over by the police for a missing front plate and I have driven right next to police officers. I'd just take the darn thing off....

 

[Computron]

My front license plate is lying on my work bench. In all 5 years of ownership, I have never been pulled over by the police for a missing front plate and I have driven right next to police officers. I'd just take the darn thing off....

That's what I ended up doing after looking around and noticing that LOTS of people have no front plates. With the little amount of time I actually drive my NSX, I figured I'd just take the gamble. Looks so much better without front plates anyways. And it seems like every BMW, Tesla, Corvette, GT-R, and other sports cars have no front plate either.

 

[Larry Bastanza]

My front license plate is lying on my work bench. In all 5 years of ownership, I have never been pulled over by the police for a missing front plate and I have driven right next to police officers. I'd just take the darn thing off....

Do yourself a favor, if you ever come to NY, put it on, they will ticket you here......

 

[Lamchop168]

I have the SOS stealth setup but it's always hidden. I've never gotten pull over but if I ever do, I'll tell them that I just came back from a car show and forgotten to put it back. I agreed with Larry, do have a front plate when you drive thru NY. They will ticket you.