Gauging Interest DSE Front Plate Mount ACR E Compatible

**SSGNRDZ_28** · 08-24-2017

As mentioned in another thread I have a solution designed to mount a front license plate to my ACR-E splitter support brackets. It would be completely removable for the track and allow the splitter extension to be installed or not. It is also compatible with all Gen V Vipers.

I've had a few people mention they are interested. My only reservation is that it would be somewhat expensive as it's all anodized billet aluminum and I'm not sure who would actually run a front plate, seems most people take the chance not to. Would be about $310 for the kit alone which would just replace the driver side splitter support bracket (or add it for non-ACR cars). Or If you already have my aluminum splitter support brackets it would be a $195 add on. If there's enough interest I can have them made, need 10+ to meet this pricing.

Note - design not final here but pretty close. Also this is designed for the driver's side. The parts shown stack atop of the existing splitter support. The plate would reside roughly between the splitter support and just into the GTS stripe.

Doug

Plate Spacer Support.jpg
Plate Backing Plate.png
Front Plate Bracket Rendering 2D.jpg
IMG_1739.jpg
IMG_3571.jpg

**dewilmoth** · 08-24-2017

I could see this being very popular. While I currently live in a no front plate state, I intend on moving to a front plate required state in the next year and if I do I will be looking for something like this. I am personally much more concerned with a clean and modification free install than I am price.

**ViperGeorge** · 08-25-2017

I know of no one in our club that runs a front plate even though the state requires it. It would be cheaper to pay the ticket if you got one IMO.

**Dman** · 08-25-2017

Great idea and engineering as usual. The price is a challenge, I don't know it I'd do it or not myself. Our tickets are $75 for no plate. Since 1999 and 5 vipers, I've been given a no plate ticket one time by a trooper, and I've gotten tons of thumbs up from LEOs. It would be really nice to have though ... I guess it could depend on the state you live in, if some have higher fines and more enforcement, then it'd be a no brainer to do it. If I started getting tickets, after 2 I'd probably pull the trigger. Really cool piece though for sure.

**wum** · 08-25-2017

Put me down for 1!

**38D** · 08-26-2017

I might be interested., but would like to better understand how this attaches and what it looks like with the plate removed. I just can't picture it from the 3D CAD.

**SSGNRDZ_28** · 08-26-2017

With the plate removed it looks like the last picture shown. Just the splitter support bracket (shown off the car in the second to last pic). That is obviously also removable. Also for those without an ACR it would be a flat face instead of the bracket for the strake.

So to install this you'd remove the two bolts in the splitter support and slide in the assembly including the spacer (top pic) and backing plate (second pic) and then bolt the license plate to the threaded holes in the backing plate. From the front it would look like the third pic.

Hope that helps.
Doug

**ek1** · 08-27-2017

Doug,

I also have a hard time connecting the parts in the CAD drawing to the picture, as well as understanding how it mounts. I have been using zip ties for the front plate, which is annoying as hell since I have to cut the ties and replace them I track the car. Having said that, at $350 plus shipping this thing won't be flying off the shelf.

Have you considered a few different designs? For example, one of my cars has a front license plate holder that clips onto openings in the front mesh grill. I can't post pics now since the car is in the shop getting Xpel applied, but I will have it back in about a week. There are two spring-loaded clips that latch onto openings in the mesh and those clips are attached to the backing plate that holds the actual license. The guy that used to make them originally designed the plate holder for Ferraris, but he was making them for other cars with mesh in the front as well. Unfortunately he passed away from cancer back in 2014. His business was called Chair Pilot Products

Since the Viper has that little mesh in the middle, perhaps you can design something similar. Here is a very crude drawing (not to scale) showing what I mean:

plate clip 1.jpg

In the picture above, the red indicates the clips, the green is the backing plate that clips attach to and blue is the actual frame to which the license plate attaches.

Also, do you think there is a possibility to make something that loops around the horizontal bars in the grille like this?

plate clip 2.jpg

I think it will be cheaper and easier to make and will be much more popular.

**Dave292** · 08-28-2017

Originally Posted by SSGNRDZ_28

As mentioned in another thread I have a solution designed to mount a front license plate to my ACR-E splitter support brackets. It would be completely removable for the track and allow the splitter extension to be installed or not. It is also compatible with all Gen V Vipers.

I've had a few people mention they are interested. My only reservation is that it would be somewhat expensive as it's all anodized billet aluminum and I'm not sure who would actually run a front plate, seems most people take the chance not to. Would be about $310 for the kit alone which would just replace the driver side splitter support bracket (or add it for non-ACR cars). Or If you already have my aluminum splitter support brackets it would be a $195 add on. If there's enough interest I can have them made, need 10+ to meet this pricing.

Note - design not final here but pretty close. Also this is designed for the driver's side. The parts shown stack atop of the existing splitter support. The plate would reside roughly between the splitter support and just into the GTS stripe.

Doug

Plate Spacer Support.jpg
Plate Backing Plate.png
Front Plate Bracket Rendering 2D.jpg
IMG_1739.jpg
IMG_3571.jpg

I have no imagination when it comes to this stuff. To me, something that mounts in the center looks correct but something that mounts to one side does not. Many companies offer front plate brackets for Porsche's that mount in the front tow hook area. When you look at them, you're first reaction is that it doesn't look right being mounted on one side of the front of the car. Just my 2 cents.

**ViperJon** · 08-28-2017

This is something that needs to come in at less than $100.00. Or even better less than $75.00. Than it's a no brainer for guys in states with front plate laws. But as high quality as this no doubt is it's just too much and guys like me will opt to take our chances with a ticket.

**SSGNRDZ_28** · 08-28-2017

Have another design in mind. Center mount, ~$125 using splitter extension bolts. Therefore only compatible with the ACR or ACR-E. More to come later once I finalize the design.

**SharpMan** · 08-28-2017

Originally Posted by SSGNRDZ_28

Have another design in mind. Center mount, ~$125 using splitter extension bolts. Therefore only compatible with the ACR or ACR-E. More to come later once I finalize the design.

How about a nice clamp with a quick release to mount a plate to the tow hooks people install?

**wum** · 08-28-2017

wouldn't mounting the license plate in front of the radiator obstruct airflow to the radiator and cause engine temps to rise? If so, I think offset to the side would be a better option, no?

**SSGNRDZ_28** · 08-28-2017

Here is a rendering of the center mount design that uses the splitter bolts. Would be $110. It angles backward and would run along the bottom lip to minimize effect on airflow.

ACR and ACR E Center Plate Mount.png

**ek1** · 08-28-2017

Originally Posted by wum

wouldn't mounting the license plate in front of the radiator obstruct airflow to the radiator and cause engine temps to rise? If so, I think offset to the side would be a better option, no?

Where do you think the factory plate holder mounts?

For road driving you will never notice the effects of a plate being in front of the radiator.

**ek1** · 08-28-2017

Doug, I think you may have a tough time selling anything that requires removing front splitter bolts for mounting.

**SSGNRDZ_28** · 08-28-2017

Originally Posted by ek1

Doug, I think you may have a tough time selling anything that requires removing front splitter bolts for mounting.

Why do you think so? It is very easy to do. Would probably take 3 minutes max to install. Could probably make slots instead of holes but that's not quite as secure.

**ek1** · 08-29-2017

Originally Posted by SSGNRDZ_28

Why do you think so? It is very easy to do. Would probably take 3 minutes max to install. Could probably make slots instead of holes but that's not quite as secure.

Owners that have to take the plate off frequently (like people that track) will need tools to do so. Plus those bolts need to be torqued to spec, which means even more tools.

I'll get my other car back from the film shop sometime next week and I'll post pics of the clip-on holder I have. Maybe you will be interested in looking into making one.

**themash** · 08-29-2017

+1 very interested

**Dave292** · 08-29-2017

Doug, I give you an "A" for effort and responsiveness. I'm following this thread and when you come up with something that will work, I'll buy it just like the fender shields.
Thanks much!!

**ViperGeorge** · 08-29-2017

For the Gen 3/4 someone made some plastic/rubber mounts that simply clipped over the cross hairs. They were fairly cheap if I remember but they worked well. Easy on and off.

On my Gen 4 Vert I have the powered hide away bracket. Press the remote and the plate slides out and up from under the grill. Pres it again and it hides away. I don't know if it would work on a Gen 5. I did have to put a small slot in the brake duct on the Gen 4.

**themash** · 09-13-2017

Any updates with these ?

**SSGNRDZ_28** · 09-14-2017

Prototype on the way. A little cheaper and a gap to allow air to flow under and hopefully reduce the restriction of airflow to the radiator. Should be under $100. Will know more in a week or two.