Small Number Plate-Does Size Matter?
Discussion
I have a 5 digit number plate that's about to be transferred onto the Griff 500 .
For the front only - and I don't intend messing with the spacing of digits etc - but if I cut the size of the number plate down on each side equally so that the plate is smaller, then stick it back on....
Will it be better for the engine as more air flow will allow for better cooling? Should I bother?
MT
For the front only - and I don't intend messing with the spacing of digits etc - but if I cut the size of the number plate down on each side equally so that the plate is smaller, then stick it back on....
Will it be better for the engine as more air flow will allow for better cooling? Should I bother?
MT
Yup, it does help airflow. If you change the size of the lettering as well as I have (exactly the same format, just a bit smaller), there are also supposedly some issues with the 
but I drive past loads of them up here in Brum and have never once been stopped (mine is a 3/4 size from fancyplates). I do keep the original in the boot just in case though.... 'oh its my show plate officer, forgot to take it off. Here's the normal one 
'
but I drive past loads of them up here in Brum and have never once been stopped (mine is a 3/4 size from fancyplates). I do keep the original in the boot just in case though.... 'oh its my show plate officer, forgot to take it off. Here's the normal one '
Ive got a shortened one on mine - def runs cooler and looks better(see my profile pic).
As far as the law goes, I'm sure I was advised that as long as the letters are legal size and space (including distance from edges) meets the regs, the actual plate size doesnt matter.
Cant remember where I got that info from though and could be wrong, so dont shoot me if......
As far as the law goes, I'm sure I was advised that as long as the letters are legal size and space (including distance from edges) meets the regs, the actual plate size doesnt matter.
Cant remember where I got that info from though and could be wrong, so dont shoot me if......
Edited by BIIOAB on Thursday 24th May 09:40
BIIOAB said:
Ive got a shortened one on mine - def runs cooler and looks better(see my profile pic).
As far as the law goes, I'm sure I was advised that as long as the letters are legal size and space (including distance from edges) meets the regs, the actual plate size doesnt matter.
Cant remember where I got that info from though and could be wrong, so dont shoot me if......
I'm pretty sure your right. I have a seven digit plate, but one of the characters is a 1, so I managed to trim it down quite a bit. Looks much better on the pre cat nose as the old one overlapped the bodywork slightly. The modern standard font is also narower than the old one.As far as the law goes, I'm sure I was advised that as long as the letters are legal size and space (including distance from edges) meets the regs, the actual plate size doesnt matter.
Cant remember where I got that info from though and could be wrong, so dont shoot me if......
Edited by BIIOAB on Thursday 24th May 09:40
I took my front plate off for the whole journey back from LeMans in 2005 as I had only one fan working and it was causing an issue.
I pulled into the services at Watford Gap and parked right infront of 2 coppers who were having a brew. One stared straight at the car and then continued to enjoy his cuppa. Wasn't bothered in the slightest.
I don't think its as big an issue on something like a Griffith as it would be on a regular car like a Vectra or similar. For some reason.
I pulled into the services at Watford Gap and parked right infront of 2 coppers who were having a brew. One stared straight at the car and then continued to enjoy his cuppa. Wasn't bothered in the slightest.
I don't think its as big an issue on something like a Griffith as it would be on a regular car like a Vectra or similar. For some reason.
davetherave1970 said:
Am I the odd one out? I don't notice any difference in temps with the small plate (see profile pic).
It certianly made a big difference on my car fitting a 3/4 size plate. You wont notice much difference in static traffic jamb, but once moving agian the temp will drop much quicker and stay lower.V8 GRF - could you tell me the dimensions of your front plate please?
Timely topic as I was looking for a slightly smaller plate for mine on various websites earlier in the week. I think mine could do with running a bit cooler athough I have read on PH in the past that if the cooling system is all in order then things like smaller number plates or additional venting shouldn't be needed.
The Griff runs a good 10 degress hotter than the Chim used to assuming of course that any two TVR temp guages are in any way comparable. But think it's true because the fans come on much more often on this car.
L.F.
Timely topic as I was looking for a slightly smaller plate for mine on various websites earlier in the week. I think mine could do with running a bit cooler athough I have read on PH in the past that if the cooling system is all in order then things like smaller number plates or additional venting shouldn't be needed.
The Griff runs a good 10 degress hotter than the Chim used to assuming of course that any two TVR temp guages are in any way comparable. But think it's true because the fans come on much more often on this car.
L.F.
lockhart flawse said:
V8 GRF - could you tell me the dimensions of your front plate please?
Timely topic as I was looking for a slightly smaller plate for mine on various websites earlier in the week. I think mine could do with running a bit cooler athough I have read on PH in the past that if the cooling system is all in order then things like smaller number plates or additional venting shouldn't be needed.
The Griff runs a good 10 degress hotter than the Chim used to assuming of course that any two TVR temp guages are in any way comparable. But think it's true because the fans come on much more often on this car.
L.F.
Sure it's a fancyplates 3/4 size plate. www.fancyplates.com and it's 390mm x 84mm. Even if everything is in order it does no harm to get more air through your radiator.Timely topic as I was looking for a slightly smaller plate for mine on various websites earlier in the week. I think mine could do with running a bit cooler athough I have read on PH in the past that if the cooling system is all in order then things like smaller number plates or additional venting shouldn't be needed.
The Griff runs a good 10 degress hotter than the Chim used to assuming of course that any two TVR temp guages are in any way comparable. But think it's true because the fans come on much more often on this car.
L.F.
My engine has been checked with an infrared thermometer and runs 10 degrees hotter in places than the gauge shows so you can't really trust the gauge.
V8 GRF said:
lockhart flawse said:
V8 GRF - could you tell me the dimensions of your front plate please? etc.
Sure it's a fancyplates 3/4 size plate. www.fancyplates.com and it's 390mm x 84mm.
I am currently experimenting with a best of both worlds solution, a floppy rubber one.
Remove the existing solid plate.
Mount a piece of rubber the size of your number plate in its place. Onto this, a flexible stick-on plate will be stuck latter.
Get a couple of mates to drive up the road and you follow them. One of them watches the front of the Griff to see what happens.
I am still searching for the perfect grade of rubber. The perfect grade is one that springs into shape when the car is stationary so the number plate appears normal.
When the car is moving, air pressure wraps the rubber around the bar it is bolted to, thus no obstruction to the air flow.
You don’t want it fluttering as the rubber will soon split and turbulence may upset air flow. This could cause problems for the engine air intake as well as the cooling and possibly even aerodynamic issues for the stability. I haven’t had any yet, I am just being cautious to foresee and avoid trouble.
You must also avoid causing problems with the law if it is not possible to read the number plate when moving.
I wouldn’t want anything to interfere with the fine contribution towards road safety that laser guns and average speed cameras make. If you speed through an average speed trap knowing that the camera can’t read your plate you are being very selfish. The same applies if the registration can’t be read on your photo when you are braking heavily for a laser. Make sure you conduct tests to see if it is thrown forward into position by the braking.
After all the government needs your fines contributions to help them afford something that actually would help road safety. Speed humps. If only they could afford more of them. They could fill in all the gaps between the existing speed humps. This would create something that has never been tried in this country, a smooth, safe, well maintained road surface.
We could call it an autobahn.
Remove the existing solid plate.
Mount a piece of rubber the size of your number plate in its place. Onto this, a flexible stick-on plate will be stuck latter.
Get a couple of mates to drive up the road and you follow them. One of them watches the front of the Griff to see what happens.
I am still searching for the perfect grade of rubber. The perfect grade is one that springs into shape when the car is stationary so the number plate appears normal.
When the car is moving, air pressure wraps the rubber around the bar it is bolted to, thus no obstruction to the air flow.
You don’t want it fluttering as the rubber will soon split and turbulence may upset air flow. This could cause problems for the engine air intake as well as the cooling and possibly even aerodynamic issues for the stability. I haven’t had any yet, I am just being cautious to foresee and avoid trouble.
You must also avoid causing problems with the law if it is not possible to read the number plate when moving.
I wouldn’t want anything to interfere with the fine contribution towards road safety that laser guns and average speed cameras make. If you speed through an average speed trap knowing that the camera can’t read your plate you are being very selfish. The same applies if the registration can’t be read on your photo when you are braking heavily for a laser. Make sure you conduct tests to see if it is thrown forward into position by the braking.
After all the government needs your fines contributions to help them afford something that actually would help road safety. Speed humps. If only they could afford more of them. They could fill in all the gaps between the existing speed humps. This would create something that has never been tried in this country, a smooth, safe, well maintained road surface.
We could call it an autobahn.
Gassing Station | Griffith | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff