Nissan 370Z Forum - View Single Post - Just received the new Ark Type 2 Grip True Dual exhaust

Zeto · 02-19-2010, 02:27 AM

Well let me start off by saying this was one hell of a buying experience and let's leave it at that

For Eric at Driveline who always kept me up to date on what was going on. BTW the only other mod I had on the car was berk test pipes which are garbage IMO but more on that later on.

Install:
We were at my friends shop in which he has a lift so it made things a lot easier. We started at 10pm and finished at 11pm from the time we loosened the first bolt on the stock exhaust until the last bolt on the Ark exhaust was tightened. The install was pretty straight forward and the build quality was very good IMO. I have to readjust some of the bolts since the driver side tip was sticking out more than the other but I believe that was due to our fault installing at such a fast pace. There were no clearance issues with the center brace like the Stillen exhaust. The exhaust comes in 4 pieces with all new hardware and gaskets.

Looks:
I've never been a fan of the burnt tips but I must say they look good. The exhaust does hang a little lower than the stock one but not by much. It looks great looking at it from the rear.

Sound:
Well since sound is relative I'll give you my opinion.
Good
It is loud and deep! Like V8 deep. The gurgle on deceleration is awesome. WOT sounds like a it just wants to eat you alive. I scared a couple of people just cruising by and downshifting with SRM lol!

Bad
It does have a slight drone on at certain throttle positions. I would like to say from 25% to 45% throttle is a drone spot. Right now I'm loving the exhaust but I am a little leery if I'm going to feel the same way in a couple of months because of the loudness.

Ugly
Well for those of you that already know the Berk test pipes have a rasp because they are non-resonated (thanks for the explanation DannyGT). Well with the exhaust the raspiness is amplified greatly and sounds almost like a squeal on decel. I'm going to promptly order a set of RESONATED GTM test pipes. Anyone who is replacing their cat please do yourself a favor and get HFC or resonated test pipes.

Price
Well the cost of the exhaust is $1130 but I spent over $600 to overnight it due to time constraints because of Ark's delay and poor planning.

Weight
I didn't weigh the exhaust but once I get the GTM test pipes in, I'll unbolt the exhaust and weigh it. Just to give you an idea however the Y pipe is heavier due to it being a true dual exhaust.

Power
Well I wasn't born with a butt dyno like some of you on here but the car does feel a lot smoother and more responsive. Once I get back from my business trip, I'll hit a dyno.

Hope this helps some of you that are looking into buying an exhaust in the near future. If you have any further questions please ask away. I'll try to upload some pics tonight and some video when i get back. Thanks!

02-19-2010, 02:27 AM	#3 (permalink)
Zeto Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: North NJ Age: 40 Posts: 766 Drives: 09 Pearl White 370Z Rep Power: 267	Well let me start off by saying this was one hell of a buying experience and let's leave it at that For Eric at Driveline who always kept me up to date on what was going on. BTW the only other mod I had on the car was berk test pipes which are garbage IMO but more on that later on. Install: We were at my friends shop in which he has a lift so it made things a lot easier. We started at 10pm and finished at 11pm from the time we loosened the first bolt on the stock exhaust until the last bolt on the Ark exhaust was tightened. The install was pretty straight forward and the build quality was very good IMO. I have to readjust some of the bolts since the driver side tip was sticking out more than the other but I believe that was due to our fault installing at such a fast pace. There were no clearance issues with the center brace like the Stillen exhaust. The exhaust comes in 4 pieces with all new hardware and gaskets. Looks: I've never been a fan of the burnt tips but I must say they look good. The exhaust does hang a little lower than the stock one but not by much. It looks great looking at it from the rear. Sound: Well since sound is relative I'll give you my opinion. Good It is loud and deep! Like V8 deep. The gurgle on deceleration is awesome. WOT sounds like a it just wants to eat you alive. I scared a couple of people just cruising by and downshifting with SRM lol! Bad It does have a slight drone on at certain throttle positions. I would like to say from 25% to 45% throttle is a drone spot. Right now I'm loving the exhaust but I am a little leery if I'm going to feel the same way in a couple of months because of the loudness. Ugly Well for those of you that already know the Berk test pipes have a rasp because they are non-resonated (thanks for the explanation DannyGT). Well with the exhaust the raspiness is amplified greatly and sounds almost like a squeal on decel. I'm going to promptly order a set of RESONATED GTM test pipes. Anyone who is replacing their cat please do yourself a favor and get HFC or resonated test pipes. Price Well the cost of the exhaust is $1130 but I spent over $600 to overnight it due to time constraints because of Ark's delay and poor planning. Weight I didn't weigh the exhaust but once I get the GTM test pipes in, I'll unbolt the exhaust and weigh it. Just to give you an idea however the Y pipe is heavier due to it being a true dual exhaust. Power Well I wasn't born with a butt dyno like some of you on here but the car does feel a lot smoother and more responsive. Once I get back from my business trip, I'll hit a dyno. Hope this helps some of you that are looking into buying an exhaust in the near future. If you have any further questions please ask away. I'll try to upload some pics tonight and some video when i get back. Thanks! Last edited by Zeto; 02-19-2010 at 02:41 AM.