Ark grip exhaust for Nismo- read first

Rwilliams8586 · 07-06-2012, 12:56 AM

I recently purchased an Ark grip exhaust for my 12 nismo and experienced some challenges. First, the exhaust does not align with he rear bumper outlets. Passenger side exhaust tip is touching the bumper outlet. Second, the resonators sit directly on the underbody brace, which could easily cause damage to the resonators during any impact. When I spoke with Ark they stated you need to put half an inch of washers in between the brace to provide enough clearance. The problem with that is this brace is not your typical strait piece that runs from the drivers side to passenger side. This piece connects to the rear sway bars as well. I am very concerned with adding washers to a piece that could adversely impact the structural integrity of the vehicle.

I am posting this because today was a major pain and I had to waste half of my day at the shop and I still don't have my car. I don't want any one else to go thru the same hastle.

daisuke149 · 07-06-2012, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rwilliams8586

I recently purchased an Ark grip exhaust for my 12 nismo and experienced some challenges. First, the exhaust does not align with he rear bumper outlets. Passenger side exhaust tip is touching the bumper outlet. Second, the resonators sit directly on the underbody brace, which could easily cause damage to the resonators during any impact. When I spoke with Ark they stated you need to put half an inch of washers in between the brace to provide enough clearance. The problem with that is this brace is not your typical strait piece that runs from the drivers side to passenger side. This piece connects to the rear sway bars as well. I am very concerned with adding washers to a piece that could adversely impact the structural integrity of the vehicle.

I am posting this because today was a major pain and I had to waste half of my day at the shop and I still don't have my car. I don't want any one else to go thru the same hastle.

To be fair.. you may not need the spacers.

loosen all the bolts, then with the midpipe (area near your brace) jacked up, tighten the bolts to the stock cats.
with the item still jacked up, move to the next set
Also, Line up the tips before tightening.if your by yourself, tighten them little by little each side. if you tighten one side all the way, it "pulls the exhaust a bit" when when you supposedly line up the next side and tighten it pulls back a bit and now its all crooked.

MJB · 07-06-2012, 08:02 AM

I've heard from several people about fitment problems with the Ark exhausts. Sorta makes me leery about buying there new DT-S system. Other than those 2 problems OP, how is the rest of the exhaust?

Rwilliams8586 · 07-06-2012, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJB

I've heard from several people about fitment problems with the Ark exhausts. Sorta makes me leery about buying there new DT-S system. Other than those 2 problems OP, how is the rest of the exhaust?

Exhaust has been installed and looks great after being modified at the shop. I had them dimple the end of the resonators rather then install spacers to the brace. The exhaust was heated and bent at the shop in order to allow the tips to fit properly in the inserts. Exhaust not is great.

Thanks all for your response.

Rwilliams8586 · 07-06-2012, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daisuke149

To be fair.. you may not need the spacers.

loosen all the bolts, then with the midpipe (area near your brace) jacked up, tighten the bolts to the stock cats.
with the item still jacked up, move to the next set
Also, Line up the tips before tightening.if your by yourself, tighten them little by little each side. if you tighten one side all the way, it "pulls the exhaust a bit" when when you supposedly line up the next side and tighten it pulls back a bit and now its all crooked.

Thanks for the advice. All these steps were previously taken as I watched them as they installed the exhaust. These techs were great and walked thru every step they were taking. These guys have been in business over 40 years and all they do is exhaust work.

daisuke149 · 07-06-2012, 12:36 PM

weird. I havnt seen issues like that at all having had both their exhuasts and many other exhausts. Theres alot of tweaking that can be done that people don't realize.

As for the DTS type 1, fits realllly well well. No issues with it at all.

in the end.. your gonna love the sound it makes. We had the Grip and the DTS at a event here locally.. hehe oh man that was fun.

MJB · 07-06-2012, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daisuke149

weird. I havnt seen issues like that at all having had both their exhuasts and many other exhausts. Theres alot of tweaking that can be done that people don't realize.

As for the DTS type 1, fits realllly well well. No issues with it at all.

in the end.. your gonna love the sound it makes. We had the Grip and the DTS at a event here locally.. hehe oh man that was fun.

Which one sounded best to you, the grip or dt-s? Also what type of power gains we looking at?

daisuke149 · 07-06-2012, 01:03 PM

cant speak on the power gains. never did back to back dynos stock to ark.

The DTS is definitely a deeper sound, but carries a similar tone. Both are not overly loud and are great for every day driving. They do growl really nicely at full throttle with no drone.

Its tough to say which i like better. Honestly I'd be happy with Either. On a note though, i ran up next to an r8 on my way to the movies about 2 weeks ago we both pulled into the parking and he said my ark sounded great. I was honestly thinking it carried the same tone as the r8. just not as loud. (i have the dts right now)

martin82 · 07-06-2012, 02:35 PM

DTS!!
Fits great! That's my car picture, got it installed yesterday. Sounds GOOD! Vids to come.

MJB · 07-06-2012, 02:45 PM

Beautiful!!!! Martin, can say whether or not this exhaust is lighter than stock? If you were to guesstimate, how much would you say this exhaust weights?

One_Quick_Z · 07-06-2012, 02:50 PM

Had the same issues with fitment, sound wasnt to good either when combined with Berk Test pipes, I decided to go another route rather than fight the issues.

DAN

Nuki · 07-06-2012, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martin82

DTS!!
Fits great! That's my car picture, got it installed yesterday. Sounds GOOD! Vids to come.

OP has a Nismo. Looks nice on yours, but not a Nismo.

Rwilliams8586 · 07-06-2012, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJB

I've heard from several people about fitment problems with the Ark exhausts. Sorta makes me leery about buying there new DT-S system. Other than those 2 problems OP, how is the rest of the exhaust?

Other then the two challenges discussed above, the exhaust is very nice. The edges are smooth and the welds are clean. If I could do it over, I may have went with the polished tips vs burnt; personal preference. I haven't really opened up the car above 4500 but I am pleased with the exhaust note. Not to loud, but just enough to make people look twice

Rwilliams8586 · 07-06-2012, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nuki

OP has a Nismo. Looks nice on yours, but not a Nismo.

That looks great!

cdoxp800 · 07-06-2012, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martin82

DTS!!
Fits great! That's my car picture, got it installed yesterday. Sounds GOOD! Vids to come.

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07-06-2012, 12:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
Rwilliams8586 Base Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Austin Posts: 160 Drives: 12 370z Nismo PW M6 Rep Power: 13	Ark grip exhaust for Nismo- read first I recently purchased an Ark grip exhaust for my 12 nismo and experienced some challenges. First, the exhaust does not align with he rear bumper outlets. Passenger side exhaust tip is touching the bumper outlet. Second, the resonators sit directly on the underbody brace, which could easily cause damage to the resonators during any impact. When I spoke with Ark they stated you need to put half an inch of washers in between the brace to provide enough clearance. The problem with that is this brace is not your typical strait piece that runs from the drivers side to passenger side. This piece connects to the rear sway bars as well. I am very concerned with adding washers to a piece that could adversely impact the structural integrity of the vehicle. I am posting this because today was a major pain and I had to waste half of my day at the shop and I still don't have my car. I don't want any one else to go thru the same hastle.

07-06-2012, 08:02 AM	#3 (permalink)
MJB A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Tacoma, WA Age: 41 Posts: 1,498 Drives: a POS truck Rep Power: 496	I've heard from several people about fitment problems with the Ark exhausts. Sorta makes me leery about buying there new DT-S system. Other than those 2 problems OP, how is the rest of the exhaust? __________________ 09 Nismo #0483 sold. Viper or C7 next time around.

07-06-2012, 02:45 PM	#10 (permalink)
MJB A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Tacoma, WA Age: 41 Posts: 1,498 Drives: a POS truck Rep Power: 496	Beautiful!!!! Martin, can say whether or not this exhaust is lighter than stock? If you were to guesstimate, how much would you say this exhaust weights? __________________ 09 Nismo #0483 sold. Viper or C7 next time around.

07-06-2012, 02:50 PM	#11 (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	Had the same issues with fitment, sound wasnt to good either when combined with Berk Test pipes, I decided to go another route rather than fight the issues. DAN __________________ -My BRZ with exhaust will decimate all if we overnight parts from Japan- 10 Civic EX Sedan- Current Daily

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07-06-2012, 12:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
daisuke149 My *** is famous! Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Alpharetta, GA Posts: 4,849 Drives: 2013 Boss 302 PW Rep Power: 31	weird. I havnt seen issues like that at all having had both their exhuasts and many other exhausts. Theres alot of tweaking that can be done that people don't realize. As for the DTS type 1, fits realllly well well. No issues with it at all. in the end.. your gonna love the sound it makes. We had the Grip and the DTS at a event here locally.. hehe oh man that was fun.

07-06-2012, 01:03 PM	#8 (permalink)
daisuke149 My *** is famous! Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Alpharetta, GA Posts: 4,849 Drives: 2013 Boss 302 PW Rep Power: 31	cant speak on the power gains. never did back to back dynos stock to ark. The DTS is definitely a deeper sound, but carries a similar tone. Both are not overly loud and are great for every day driving. They do growl really nicely at full throttle with no drone. Its tough to say which i like better. Honestly I'd be happy with Either. On a note though, i ran up next to an r8 on my way to the movies about 2 weeks ago we both pulled into the parking and he said my ark sounded great. I was honestly thinking it carried the same tone as the r8. just not as loud. (i have the dts right now)

07-06-2012, 02:35 PM	#9 (permalink)
martin82 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: los angeles Posts: 2,636 Drives: 12 Nissan 370Z MB M6 Rep Power: 20	DTS!! Fits great! That's my car picture, got it installed yesterday. Sounds GOOD! Vids to come.