Hartge cover installed...

[RCWells]

Do it to it, Wells!

When do you plan to throw the headers on?

Good question. First thing is to install the 5-lug swap. Then I'll have to make some $ to cover the install, unfortunately, it looks like I'll have to pay to have that done as some of the work will have to be custom. The headers and the center section, though supposedly designed for each other, don't quite line up properly, so some cut/weld may be in order.

Also, I've got to get some other pieces first, and it looks like ultimately I will be going with a Stromung exhaust out back.

Bottom line is, I've gotta start gettin' that R.N. pay before some of the latter things will happen, but hopefully not too long out.

[Jand3rson]

Looks awesome, Bobby. Hartge valve covers are very cool looking, indeed.

Something you can do on the cheap in the meantime though is get a heat shield around that intake. :up:

[Alecs MacDonald]

It looks fast.

[TwoJ's]

Man, that thing looks wonderful. Will look good with the black intake too.

I'm not trying to nay-say, but where are all of the Hartge purists? Wouldn't this be sacrilidge if that was some kind of M paraphanalia? Oh well, it's looks mean, and different.

[Jand3rson]

Man, that thing looks wonderful. Will look good with the black intake too.

I'm not trying to nay-say, but where are all of the Hartge purists? Wouldn't this be sacrilidge if that was some kind of M paraphanalia? Oh well, it's looks mean, and different.

If he was putting Hartge stickers on the car with nothing else, that would be different. This is actually a Hartge part.

[rede30]

If he was putting Hartge stickers on the car with nothing else, that would be different. This is actually a Hartge part.

With that logic i could slap a ///m badge on my car because its an actual ///m part. I am just being an ass for the sake of being an ass, i could care less. Wells i love the cover and love the car, what wheels are you going with on the 5 lug. For some reason i have in my mind you are doing something along the lines of a 16 in weave? This could be way off but its in my head non the less.

[JGood]

If he was putting Hartge stickers on the car with nothing else, that would be different. This is actually a Hartge part.

It's still an advertisement with no real improvement other then looks. Same theory as a sticker.

That said....

That looks sweet and I don't really care if it's not a Hartge engine, it looks nice. I'm not a purist. Where did you get it?

My rear wing is an original Hartge piece, I wish more aftermarket companies like RD, Hartge, etc. still produced these quality components for e30's. I'd like to find a RD cover for my K27 engine build too.

[euroshark]

Hartge made tuner parts as well as whole car conversions, so putting a Hartge valve cover on the car is nothing like putting an M badge on a non M car... Same with Alpina, though a bit different because the extent of Alpina modifications was usually more substantial than most of the other tuners. I've got Alpina suspension under my 635CSi, but I wouldn't put Alpina badges on the car... If its a functional part than what the hell is the problem??

[RCWells]

ACT LS 16" weaves, brand new set, sitting just waiting for tires and suspension.

As for the cover, I've wanted one since I first laid eyes on one, they're simply gorgeous. It's a heavy aluminum cover, much more than the factory piece, and the ribs are very thick and tall, thereby making a heat sink like you find on amplifiers. It does serve a purpose other than just looking good, it should actually do a decent job of dissipating heat, though my primary reason for acquiring one was aesthetics. The fact that it is functional as well is a sweet bonus. BTW, IF BMW had made a similar cover, I'd just as soon have one as the Hartge cover, but they did not, so it's what it is.

I won't be adding more Hartge parts to the car and building a copy, I just happen to really like the valve cover. I would have bought a RD cover if I could have sourced one as they are equally nice but as fate would have it, this one was available.

I also have Racing Dynamics headers, should I not install them b/c my car was not built or massaged by RD? My wheels are Kopis (Alpina style) should I not have them either as my car isn't an Alpina? What about the M-tech I rear spoiler, should it not be on my car either?

I do what I think is tasteful and what I like with the car b/c I can. I'm happy with it and as such, I've met my objective. There are more things coming as well, some people will like, others will not, but the changes will happen nonetheless. :)

[JGood]

edit: I see it has better heatsinks. That's a worthwhile upgrade!

[TwoJ's]

Yeah, I wasn't trying to start anything. I Imyself am far from a purist anyways. I've got Alpina stickers on my kopi wheels.

[RCWells]

edit: I see it has better heatsinks. That's a worthwhile upgrade!

Still, it looks better than it dissipates heat.

I'm not at all offended btw, again, everyone is entitled to his opinion, and I'm fine with that.

It's the posers that people don't much care for I think, the ones that slap all sorts of Alpina sticker/badges/etc. on a car, and call it an Alpina. I think that's where people kind of get off. I don't care for that either, which is why you won't find a Hartge badge on the outside of my car. Unless I was going to do a full build up of a Hartge car as Hartge would have done but that ain't happenin'.

[AdironRider]

Looks pretty good man. How much does one of these cost? (Has been asked several times now I know)

[RCWells]

I saw an absolutely MINT one, NEVER installed go for about $300 shipped last year, and I paid a lot less than that for this one. So that should give you an idea.

[AdironRider]

Thanks bud.