I have just bought a NB MX5 which has the number plate in the air intake to the engine will this be ok.
Steve,
A number plate mounted in the air-splitter will make no difference to your engine intake - if you actually look at the air intake for your engine, you'll notice it opens up just above the left wheel arch - as for air flow through the radiator, the restriction caused by the number plate will be very low compared to other factors such as the radiator design and the aerodynamic design of the flow passage.
Often times, aftermarket air-dams actually have TOO much intake area. As impossible as this seems, the rapid transition from the large intake area to the restriction of the radiator causes a choking effect - a smaller intake negates this effect and can result in SIGNIFICANTLY increased flow and heat dissipation capacity (this really only matters if you're going to give it a really good flogging on a track).
Don't worry about the number plate - mine HAS to mount over the air-dam (1992 with a custom air-dam due to a small disagreement with a large animal about the use of local roads!) and I've never been able to overheat it on even the most demanding hill-climbs
Hope this sets your mind at ease,
Sherwin
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