ARK exhaust install and review

sofa_king · 03-20-2010, 02:16 PM

So, I've had my Ark exhaust for 4 months so far and personally I think it's one of the best sounding exhausts out there for the 370z..not being biased at all!! Anyway, I know some of you guys are contemplating getting this exhaust because of the tip issue, but honestly it's not as bad as it looks in pictures..just get an extra set of eyes to help you out while installing this exhaust.

Sound
I really can't justify the sound of this exhaust over text or even a video! you really have to hear it in person. The first time I fired my car up with the exhaust, it seriously sent shivers down my spine. It really gives off a nice deep v8 sounding grumble. During normal driving it's not loud at all until past about 3.5k rpm but once you WOT, the car just sounds freakin mean!! almost like an exotic. There was a bit of drone when I first got the exhaust, but after the packaging broke in, it died down a lot which was a big plus in my book!

Power
The first time i had this exhaust put on was at a dyno shop..so needless to say, i got it dynoed. We ran 5 runs for the baseline and ended up at 294whp the highest(Yes, i dont know why this dyno read so high). Then with the ARK exhaust we only did 3 runs and ended at 306whp. I couldn't get the torque numbers for the baseline dyno cause the computer didn't log it for some reason...but the torque for the ARK exhaust was at 253 if that helps. This before and after dyno was also without an ecu reset, so I think I could've squeezed a little bit more out of this exhaust.

Looks
I uploaded some pics for you guys to see. There is a right tip picture and a left tip picture. Also you can probably notice the right canister hangs a little lower than the left, and that is because I have the prototype version. I know the final production exhausts don't have this prolblem and Ark worked really hard and test fit every exhaust that came in to ensure proper fitment.

Also for those of you worrying about scraping, it's not too big an issue unless you're going up a massive speed bump or really steep driveway. I'm lowered on kw v3's and dropped about 1.25 inches in the rear and 1.5 in the front and most speed bumps and driveways i go up, i don't scrape...and this is with the prototype exhaust which hangs a little lower too. So all in all I really enjoy this exhaust and after 4 months of ownership, I am not one bit tired of the sound yet. Hope this review helped some of you make your decision in purchasing this exhaust!!

Also, if you guys haven't seen this yet, this is my car filmed outside the ARK warehouse. This was prior to getting my berk hfc's.

NewlyIMPORTed · 03-20-2010, 02:19 PM

god that sounds mean

sofa_king · 03-20-2010, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewlyIMPORTed

god that sounds mean

you should hear it with the hfc's!

One_Quick_Z · 03-20-2010, 03:08 PM

+1 I have been looking into this Exhaust, Who did you get it through?

DAN

sofa_king · 03-20-2010, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by One_Quick_Z

+1 I have been looking into this Exhaust, Who did you get it through?

DAN

I got it through ARK, but i believe driveline is their biggest distributor. I believe theres only one exhaust left in their warehouse

TeamARK · 03-20-2010, 04:10 PM

^^ glad you like our System Sofa_king. You'll be at the BBQ on May 23rd right?

sofa_king · 03-20-2010, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeamARK

^^ glad you like our System Sofa_king. You'll be at the BBQ on May 23rd right?

Yup! So if anyone in socal wants to hear this exhaust in person go to the meet may 23rd!! There's free kbbq too! Who can say no to that

chris410 · 03-20-2010, 05:41 PM

I went to the Saturday meet and got a lot of compliments on the exhaust. Also, I fixed the alignment issue in 2 minutes. Very easy to adjust, I simply bought an adjustable clamp and attached it to the exhaust hanger and the car hanger and adjusted it. Took 2 minutes and the exhaust is now properly aligned. (I know...you want pics, I will get some tomorrow and update my post)

As far as sound/performance...this exhaust is so far the best I've heard and I'm not saying that just because I own it. I noticed that my car does feel a bit stronger as well, I got on it once today on the way back and I was suprised at how nicely it pushed me into the seat. Good stuff!

TeamARK · 03-20-2010, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sofa_king

Yup! So if anyone in socal wants to hear this exhaust in person go to the meet may 23rd!! There's free kbbq too! Who can say no to that

Seriously, its gonna be a great turnout. Its going to be a great turnout. Just on S2000's alone we have 30 people coming

Alex

fullmonty · 03-20-2010, 06:48 PM

I can't wait till mine comes in!

chris410 · 03-20-2010, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fullmonty

I can't wait till mine comes in!

Hopefully, you haven't heard one in person yet...the surprise factor is worth the wait.

cycy89 · 09-30-2011, 02:42 PM

looks awesome. im getting one for sure. twice as cheap as hks and gets the job done.
u let a truck beat u at the light? unacceptable. lol

intrigue · 02-22-2012, 06:00 PM

Sorry to revive a somewhat dead thread. I just had the Ark system installed with Berk HFC's. Sounds absolutely stellar. Sofa King is not joking - the thing sounds mean down low and like a race car above 4,000. It's really awesome.

I do have a bit of "gurgling" at 2800 and less when engine breaking - not sure if that will go away when the packing burns off or if it's normal. Sounds kind of odd but not bad.

As far as power goes, it absolutely feels smoother all the way up and a bit faster. Not sure if it's just me being biased because it sounds awesome - but it's great.

Very happy with this system

. It's quite loud with the HFCs but not obnoxious or ricer-like.

daisuke149 · 02-22-2012, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by intrigue

Sorry to revive a somewhat dead thread. I just had the Ark system installed with Berk HFC's. Sounds absolutely stellar. Sofa King is not joking - the thing sounds mean down low and like a race car above 4,000. It's really awesome.

I do have a bit of "gurgling" at 2800 and less when engine breaking - not sure if that will go away when the packing burns off or if it's normal. Sounds kind of odd but not bad.

As far as power goes, it absolutely feels smoother all the way up and a bit faster. Not sure if it's just me being biased because it sounds awesome - but it's great.

Very happy with this system

. It's quite loud with the HFCs but not obnoxious or ricer-like.

the gurgling sound isnt gonna go away but i loved that sound.

intrigue · 02-23-2012, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daisuke149

the gurgling sound isnt gonna go away but i loved that sound.

The gurgling I don't mind. But there is a pretty obnoxious vibrating sound. I think it's the crossmember rattle that has been talked about. Taking it back to the shop tomorrow AM and they're going to check it out.

When decelerating, it sounds like vibrating metal below 3,000rpm. Other than that particular noise, the pipes sound totally unreal. Can't wait to get this issue fixed

03-20-2010, 02:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
NewlyIMPORTed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Kennesaw, GA Posts: 1,109 Drives: 11 STI Sedan Rep Power: 18	god that sounds mean __________________ 2011 WRX STICobb Accessport, Nameless Performance exhaust, COBB SF Intake, COBB downpipe, 20% tint, Work Emotion XD9's

03-20-2010, 03:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
One_Quick_Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Seneca Il Posts: 1,374 Drives: 10 Civic EX Sedan Rep Power: 219	+1 I have been looking into this Exhaust, Who did you get it through? DAN __________________ -My BRZ with exhaust will decimate all if we overnight parts from Japan- 10 Civic EX Sedan- Current Daily

03-20-2010, 05:41 PM	#8 (permalink)
chris410 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 345 Drives: 10' GT500 Rep Power: 16	I went to the Saturday meet and got a lot of compliments on the exhaust. Also, I fixed the alignment issue in 2 minutes. Very easy to adjust, I simply bought an adjustable clamp and attached it to the exhaust hanger and the car hanger and adjusted it. Took 2 minutes and the exhaust is now properly aligned. (I know...you want pics, I will get some tomorrow and update my post) As far as sound/performance...this exhaust is so far the best I've heard and I'm not saying that just because I own it. I noticed that my car does feel a bit stronger as well, I got on it once today on the way back and I was suprised at how nicely it pushed me into the seat. Good stuff! __________________ Chris Current: 2014 WRX Stage I + SPT / 2013 Hayabusa 202HP Former:09 370Z 7-AT PW/Ark Type 2 exhaust/Evo R lip/TSW Nurburgring carbon

03-20-2010, 06:48 PM	#10 (permalink)
fullmonty A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Dirty Jersey Posts: 7,762 Drives: 370 Touring/Sport Rep Power: 34	I can't wait till mine comes in! __________________

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03-20-2010, 04:10 PM	#6 (permalink)
TeamARK Track Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: CHINO Posts: 957 Drives: Black 350z/370z Rep Power: 17	^^ glad you like our System Sofa_king. You'll be at the BBQ on May 23rd right?

09-30-2011, 02:42 PM	#12 (permalink)
cycy89 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: 120mph somewhere Posts: 1,097 Drives: #TTURBOZ Rep Power: 30	looks awesome. im getting one for sure. twice as cheap as hks and gets the job done. u let a truck beat u at the light? unacceptable. lol

02-22-2012, 06:00 PM	#13 (permalink)
intrigue Base Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Northeast, US Posts: 32 Drives: 2011 370Z+S MT6 Rep Power: 14	Sorry to revive a somewhat dead thread. I just had the Ark system installed with Berk HFC's. Sounds absolutely stellar. Sofa King is not joking - the thing sounds mean down low and like a race car above 4,000. It's really awesome. I do have a bit of "gurgling" at 2800 and less when engine breaking - not sure if that will go away when the packing burns off or if it's normal. Sounds kind of odd but not bad. As far as power goes, it absolutely feels smoother all the way up and a bit faster. Not sure if it's just me being biased because it sounds awesome - but it's great. Very happy with this system . It's quite loud with the HFCs but not obnoxious or ricer-like.