I've gone plateless up front for over a year, luckily without any hassles. Maybe because it seems like every other car here doesn't have any plates at all, new or not. But last month, right before taking a trip up the coastline, I figure I shouldn't push my luck. So I remembered a while back seeing Japanese Miatas with side-mounted front plates (another car that suffers from the teeth-in-mouth look). Then last year the EVO VIII came stock with a side-mounted plate, so I thought that piece might be worth playing with. So here goes <another> method to mount the RX-8 front license plate:

Mitsubishi parts needed:
#MN126768 garnish, fr license $22.76
#MS240581 bolt, fr bumper $0.86
#MU440009 nut, fr bumper $1.84

Other parts:
Galvanized steel ties (Home Depot, #LSTA18), for brackets
Sheet metal (12 x 6"), the backplate
Misc nuts and bolts (use whatever works):
#4-40x1/4" and #8x32x3/8" to attach brackets to backplate
1/4" x 3/4" to attach: cover + license plate + garnish + backplate

Optional:
WeatherTech ClearCover license plate frame $25

Front license mounting kit for Mitsubishi EVO VIII. You don't need everything in the picture, just the parts listed above. You can use any similarly-sized clip-nut + bolt, but since it was a good fit, I recommend it. Notice that the "garnish" comes with a strip of foam across the top so it doesn't scratch the paint.

Brackets and back plate. This will attach the plastic EVO garnish to the RX-8's airdam. I recommend drilling slotted holes in the brackets so you can adjust the height and tilt of the assembly once in place. The top row of holes on the backplate is for the license plate bolts, the 2nd row are for the garnish pegs. Note that the bottom holes for the WeatherTech cover haven't been drilled.

Clip nut in place on air dam, with hole drilled (this is the only modification to the car). The second picture shows the 2 existing air dam screws which I attached the lower end of the C-shaped bracket, and the angled L-bracket.

The three attachment bolts: note that one of the airdam bolts is shorter. Because of the added reached needed once the brackets are in place, I ended swapping this bolt with another longer one from the other side of the car.

C-bracket in place; then both brackets in place; brackets and backplate

EVO license mount in place, with and without plate.

Done, with WeatherTech frame attached (I know, in CA, covers not allowed, SHHH)

Pros:
- no more Bug Bunny front end
- no more fear of fix-it tickets
- doesn't block air intake
- no modification of a painted part
- comes off with easily (everything should unscrew with a 10mm hex wrench)
- doesn't mar front end
Cons:
- lose about an inch of ground clearance (careful with front curbs)
- still not as pretty as naked front end

I have since taken this off because the last reason, but plan on using it for road trips, or whenever I'm feeling cop paranoid ;-)

Good job!. Nice to see that there are other alternatives in mounting the front plate.
Cheers! :)

Thank you, I can't wait for the parts to come in.

How did the mod go? Where did you get your parts from? I am excited about this one!

What's the fine in Texas for not having a front plate?

i hate to be a wet blanket, but it looks kinda funny to me.

Just an interesting note. In the enduro race on Best Motoring International...there was a rather LARGE difference in water temps on the rx8 when they added the front license plate to the car. Of all the car's (with front plates added), the Evo had the least change in temps, due to the side mount (didn't block anything).

They had two sessions, one without plates, and one with plates. For those interested, check torrentspy and search for best motoring, and download the enduro race.

This mod significantly increases airflow to the radiator. (as opposed to having to run the front plate in the stock position)

Just an interesting note. In the enduro race on Best Motoring International...there was a rather LARGE difference in water temps on the rx8 when they added the front license plate to the car. Of all the car's (with front plates added), the Evo had the least change in temps, due to the side mount (didn't block anything).

I saw that BMI episode and I don't understand why it would help. The front plate on the RX-8 covers the faux front grill, not the air inlet at the bottom in front of the radiator. As far as I know, the front grill doesn't serve any purpuse in cooling.

I think the English commentator is mistaken. I attributed the temperature increase on the second session to Gan-san. That guy is very competitive!

This mod significantly increases airflow to the radiator. (as opposed to having to run the front plate in the stock position)

I dont think this mode at all increases the airflow to the radiator, especially if your plate is the long type sitting as close to the upper edge of the front grille.

Take a closer look at your grille, a good half of the grille (on the upper half) is an enclose section.
:rolleyes:

Hey guys, I'm just quoting the show...you can see the increase for yourself, they documented it with a very complicated and expensive sensor system. There was definitely a temp difference between no front plate and a front plate on the rx8.

BMI: Enduro Race

I saw that BMI episode and I don't understand why it would help. The front plate on the RX-8 covers the faux front grill, not the air inlet at the bottom in front of the radiator. As far as I know, the front grill doesn't serve any purpuse in cooling.

Part of the front grille is open.

Better than the bugs bunny look. But with it off center like that it still looks goofy. I saw another post where Rotarty Rasp chopped the plate and put it in the center of the front air dam. Looked much better. Has anyone tried the EVO low-mount solution centered rather than off center? It seems like with some spacers we could still get sufficient airflow to the radiator.

Bump. This one is much nicer than the other thread where the plate is still mounted on the front grill.

i just did this relocation, but have only one picture so far:

http://new.uksiland.com/albums/rbinstallandplate/relocated1.sized.jpg

Better pictures at the end of the gallery here (http://new.uksiland.com/pix/rbinstallandplate).

For some reason, I can't post IMG tags in this thread, so I'm uploading the two daytime pics as attachments just in case.

i relocated mine off the car. looks great

Sorry to go against your efforts but it looks off center, out of balance, kind of like a dealers tag looks when you take it out for a ride and they just stick it on the car somewhere. IMHO!

i relocated mine off the car. looks great

lol

me too


I dont care how many tickets I get even though I have not got one ticket in over two years

lol

me too


I dont care how many tickets I get even though I have not got one ticket in over two years

Now you're just tempting fate.

Well done! Good work!!!

Now you're just tempting fate.


I know
I thought about that when I typed it
I probably will get a ticket for sure now

would this work with a factory lip

would this work with a factory lip

If the factory lip has similar screws under the bumper, then it's a matter of figuring out how to get the C and the L brackets in there... I think you would need to use longer brackets and bend them in funkier shapes, because they'd have to grab on to the screws, but still stick out past the lip.

So I don't think that the brackets shown in this DIY would work with the factory lip, but you could probably adapt the DIY to make your own brackets.

I know
I thought about that when I typed it
I probably will get a ticket for sure now
A little over 1 year... no tickets. Plenty of warnings, but still no tickets.

I wonder how much the ticket is? It might still be worth it.

I know this might be lame but where do i order the lil kit.

I know this might be lame but where do i order the lil kit.

there's no "kit" per se... the evo plate holder you can order from any mitsubishi dealership's parts department... i bought mine from www.mitsubishi-parts-dealer.com ... there rest is home depot.

I really want to like this mod, as the OEM license position obviously sucks. But there's always been something about it that bothers me, and I think I now know what it is: the plate and plate holder behind it is, for lack of a better term, too massive or substantial looking, visually putting too much emphasis on the front plate.

Now… if there was a way to have the plate in the same place, but just appearing to "hang" there—with just air behind it instead of the thick holder—that would be something I'd be interested in. I'd also like it better if the plate was a bit more vertical.

Just my 2¢.

It really doesn't look that leaned foward when you see it in person. As far as losing the EVO holder, sure just make three aluminium brackets that hold the plate in place instead of the EVO holder. Shouldn't be too hard, you'll need a hacksaw, drill with bits, and some aluminium from Lowes/Home Depot/etc.

I really want to like this mod, as the OEM license position obviously sucks. But there's always been something about it that bothers me, and I think I now know what it is: the plate and plate holder behind it is, for lack of a better term, too massive or substantial looking, visually putting too much emphasis on the front plate.

Now… if there was a way to have the plate in the same place, but just appearing to "hang" there—with just air behind it instead of the thick holder—that would be something I'd be interested in. I'd also like it better if the plate was a bit more vertical.

Just my 2¢.

zip tie it below the bottom lip... it'll flap back under the car when you are driving and fall down when you need it :P

My Mazdaspeed Bumper does not allow me to do that !

I hate the front mounting crap for soooo long.

but ... sigh

I also relocated mine off the car. I have had some stares but no tickets. But I will glady pay the ticket since it looks so bad with the plate on the front or on the side.

Hey how about angled a little more to the side and a few degrees tilted down? That fills the box for having it on there, and hopefully makes tagging it with a laser little bit more difficult. Yah i know, wishfull thinking but I'm just trying to enhance the "holy crap i got lucky" factor some. Officer complains that its not straight = 'sorry, must have slipped some'

Talk about bumping a thread!

I saved this mod done by Gamera, and I while I liked it, the only reservation I had was the size of the plate still created too much of a distraction.

What I would like to do is find a local shop in Nassau County, Long Island that can take these pieces (Mitsu back plate and license plate) and cut them down to size.



I figure nearly an inch could be lopped off each side of the plate and perhaps some trimming along the bottom. Then I would slice a small metal frame down to finish it off. I asked two local customizers for a quote on this small job, but no responses.

Anyone out there in the Long Island area know anyone? This could become a nice little sideline for a small shop, since the pieces could be mailed in from any part of the country and returned.

Talk about bumping a thread!

I saved this mod done by Gamera, and I while I liked it, the only reservation I had was the size of the plate still created too much of a distraction.

What I would like to do is find a local shop in Nassau County, Long Island that can take these pieces (Mitsu back plate and license plate) and cut them down to size.



I figure nearly an inch could be lopped off each side of the plate and perhaps some trimming along the bottom. Then I would slice a small metal frame down to finish it off. I asked two local customizers for a quote on this small job, but no responses.

Anyone out there in the Long Island area know anyone? This could become a nice little sideline for a small shop, since the pieces could be mailed in from any part of the country and returned.

There's an easier way. I was going to write a DIY for the way I did it, but I'll just take pics and add them to this thread.

There's an easier way. I was going to write a DIY for the way I did it, but I'll just take pics and add them to this thread.

Please do! Looking forward to seeing your idea

anyone know what the fee for not having a front plate is off the top of their head in New York?

anyone know what the fee for not having a front plate is off the top of their head in New York?

This is my 3rd car without license place at front. Just hate how it looks in the front with those stupid number and white piece of metal. By the way I live in CA.

I took the mount off yesterday and bought a smoked cover and mounted it directly to the grill and it looks pretty good and matches my tinted windows. On the velocity red the tint looks good but would be better without a front plate. How do I post a pic and I will do that too.

ha ha that's pretty good.

I took off the front plate off my 3000 GTVR4 and still have that same bracket.

anyone know what the fee for not having a front plate is off the top of their head in New York? Did I hear somewhere that it's $75? I finally just took mine off. (But… my car sits parked in an indoor garage all week, and usually comes out only on weekends, so odds are I won't be ticketed. But if I am, so be it.)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v219/scfour/tws.jpg

That's how I did it.

2x 90 degree aluminum brackets from Lowes. I believe they are 6"x6" or 5"x5". They come pre-drilled with 2-3 holes per elbow, luckily, they are spaced such that you can put bolt/nuts through both the top and bottom holes of license plate, just size them properly after finding the brackets in the store. Use plastic screws into the bottom of the appearance package lip, and through the extant 2 or 3 holes in each arm.

If you've got your plate lying around, just bring it into the store.

Again, no drilling of bumper or brackets is required.

Note/edit:
I feel the plate should have been here from the factory - as with these brackets the plate isn't lower than the bottom of the lip, and the top of the plate doesn't block the oil cooler.

Did I hear somewhere that it's $75? I finally just took mine off. (But… my car sits parked in an indoor garage all week, and usually comes out only on weekends, so odds are I won't be ticketed. But if I am, so be it.)

i got a ticket last year it was 65 dollars and i had the plate on the windshield. NYC traffic are A holes but i got away with it. also this evo mounting thing, sorry to say this but this doesnt look good at all. i have to say it looks weird and too low and hanging. but thats just my opinion.

i got a ticket last year it was 65 dollars and i had the plate on the windshield. NYC traffic are A holes but i got away with it. also this evo mounting thing, sorry to say this but this doesnt look good at all. i have to say it looks weird and too low and hanging. but thats just my opinion.

That's not too bad. I live on long island. I'll be taking my front plate off soon, I'll keep everyone posted if I get a ticket. Though I may have to figure out somewhere to mount it if I do any interstate travelling. Won't want it in stock position after I get a turbo.

i rode w/out the front plate for a while, but i drove the car out on the highway a few times and i kept getting hassled for it. so when i went out on the highway i'd put it on.

THE RX-8 DOES RUN A BIT HOTTER THAN NORMAL WITH THE FRONT LICENSE PLATE.i couldnt go 75 w/out the engine overheating light coming on. i was pretty upset over that. so now i relocated the plate in my room. looks great when dusty and off the car. the car runs cooler w/ the plate off. i can run 85+ and no engine overheating light has come on when the plate is off. If i get hassled about it again, im going to drill a bunch of tiny holes in my plate to make it a bit more aerodynamic. i know the whole front grill isnt fully open, but the front license plate covers the whole opening so its like just having the lower portion open. im saving up to get the MS front bumper. its got a larger opening for better cooling. and as far as monting a license plate on the MS bumper... dont

and as far as monting a license plate on the MS bumper... dont

heheh, right on. i was looking at body kits, and personally i think i'd like to grab some of the Veilside D1-GT stuff (keep your bashing to yourself). Was also thinking how theres no way in hell anyone is putting a plate on that front bumper.

you can set the license plate flat on the massive front lip. use some 3m double sided tape. :D:

you can set the license plate flat on the massive front lip. use some 3m double sided tape. :D:

NOOOOOO! ; ;

Do people actually use tape for that ever? I'd think itd fall off in rain.

i couldnt go 75 w/out the engine overheating light coming on. That's definitely not normal. I hate the front plate too, and don't have it on, but the 8 can run with a front plate at any speed without overheating! Might want to get that checked out.

Ok what do you guys think of this:


I was thinking that I could fabricate a little license plate holder out of aluminum and running it from the back of the plate down into the area where the fog light is. Then drill into the upper surface (where it'd be pretty much impossible to see and bolt it on. Then put some sort of thin foam layer on the back of the holder or plate so there wouldn't be any metal in contact with the paint.

What do you think?

What do you think?

I'm sorry, BM, but to my eye it's as hideous as a centrally-mounted plate. I feel that a plate on the front of this car -anywhere on the front- distracts from the visual appeal of the design and is an aesthetic mistake. I don't think there is any way at all to mount a front plate in an acceptable fashion. My 2 cents.

I'm sorry, BM, but to my eye it's as hideous as a centrally-mounted plate. I feel that a plate on the front of this car -anywhere on the front- distracts from the visual appeal of the design and is an aesthetic mistake. I don't think there is any way at all to mount a front plate in an acceptable fashion. My 2 cents. No need to be sorry, you and I are opposite. I feel that way about the engine, you feel that way about aesthetics. Here in Central Texas though, it's asking to get pulled over if you don't have one on. There are more cops here with nothing to do than anywhere else I've ever lived.

Where I live, it's required also, but I'm told they won't pull you over for that alone. If you get stopped for something else, they'll add the missing plate to the citation. It's a $25 fine here. I've been without a front plate for a year now and haven't had a ticket for it...but then, my last ticket was in 1979, lol.

I dont think this mode at all increases the airflow to the radiator, especially if your plate is the long type sitting as close to the upper edge of the front grille.

Take a closer look at your grille, a good half of the grille (on the upper half) is an enclose section.
:rolleyes:


Have to agree here! I removed my front plate to get better airflow on the stock front....then noticed the entire area behind the plate is solid plastic!! So removing it from here other than for the look really isnt going to do anything to increase airflow to the engine compartment. Time permitting, I'm thinking of DIY for stock front grills involving cutting out each of the diamond shaped plastic pieces to make it a full flowing front grill.....unless that is a bad idea???

Comments???

don't cut out the grill. it's covering the structure of the front bumper. you' be looking at a styrofoam pad through the holes you're thinking of making.

NOOOOOO! ; ;

Do people actually use tape for that ever? I'd think itd fall off in rain.


mines been on my bodykit with double sided tape and on my stock for awhile now and no problems

don't cut out the grill. it's covering the structure of the front bumper. you' be looking at a styrofoam pad through the holes you're thinking of making.

Damn, did not know that!!! I haven't removed the bumper yet so I did not know what was behind it, but thank you for the heads up. Guess there isn't any good way of increasing airflow to the radiator with the stock front end.

if u have the stock bodykit in the front, its real easy to do if u want your license plate to the side. I bought 2 L brackets from home depot and 2 screws and 2 lug nuts. underneath the bumper is 2 screws right around where the fog light would be... mount the l brackets to the screws. and then off set the license plate like 2 inches so it dosent cover the fog light. and then attacth your plate to the bracket.

I got hassled by a cop Friday, so it's time for me to put the lisence plate on. Does anyone know if this will fit the MS bumper? Are there any other options for putting on the front lisence plate without drilling into my $1500 bumper :/

can i do this to a 09 sport?

I am in the middle of doing this to my R3 as we call it......i think you guys call it series 2 not sure.........I have had to get extra long brackets to bridge the lower spoiler approx 150mm long.

The issue i have though is how do i take the original plate holer off???? I am not sure if ours are the same as yours but i would have thought the fitting would be the same.

Do i have to drop the nose etc or can it be removed from the front???

Any pics or advice appreciated.

Cheers
Mark
(UK)

there is an easier way than the evo mount system.

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=172424&highlight=bell+license+plate+relocator

Cheers for that mate.
Thats exactly what i am doing but still don't think that brkt you show will be long enough to bridge the lower spoiler.
may see what i can knock up but also need to get the old holder off the grill???

there is an easier way than the evo mount system.

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=172424&highlight=bell+license+plate+relocator


My first bell finally broke the other day. Got home from work and it was dangling half way off.

Bought another today but I think I may just leave the plate with the broken on attached and the new one (still in packaging) behind my seat. If a cop ever questions I'll just show him the bent up broken on and the new one and say I have to put it back on.

Only thing I would do if you get one is put a strip of weather stripping on the top of the plate as it sometimes would bend back enough to start hitting the bumper.