Alright guys,

First I apologize because it took so long for me to put something together for you guys on my prototype ARK Grip exhaust. I've had the exhaust on my car for about 4 weeks now but I've been so busy with work and other things. I sure you guys will understand. Ark is already taking pre-orders on this exhaust through authorized vendors such as Amplified Motorsports. I believe the ETA on the pre-order buys were to be end of June or early July. Anyway if you are interested, please contact Lou @ amplified or contact Alex @ ark performance.

Ok then, now on to my review.


My initial thoughts:

Everything else I loved! I really dig the dual chamber set up on the sedan. Props to Ark for being original and being the first to produce the dual chamber set up for the sedans.



My follow up review:

After putting on few hundred miles, the tone of the exhaust has really been refined since the initial install. Before the break in, I was really bothered by the in-cabin droning at cruising speeds on local streets. At freeway speeds, the droning was very minimal but local streets, my ears were falling off.

Fortunately after the break in period, the whole tone of the exhaust have changed in a good way. It is much more refined and clean without the whole overwhelming aftermarket exhaust tone. The droning slowly faded away and there is absolutely 0 rasp even at WOT.

As far as power gains, I have not dyno-ed my car yet which I plan on doing after my HFC install and a tune. So I cannot really comment on the actual gains over OEM. However, I can tell you guys that it feels to pull a little harder at the top end which is expected from an aftermarket exhaust. Nonetheless, I do feel a slight loss in low end power which is normal for any aftermarket exhaust. I am currently running a Stillen gen 3 intake and will be also be installing my Berk HFC soon to go along with this exhaust. From what I've heard, the HFC should be able to compensate for the slight loss of power in the low end.

Anyway, here are some recent pics and a video clip for you guys to check out.

If you guys have any questions regarding this Ark Exhaust, feel free to ask. I will do my best to answer to my abilities & help the guys who is still searching to add the perfect aftermarket exhaust for their G.

Thanks!

-Jason

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Pics:

 

Fortunately for the 6MT guys... there is 0 drone.

Haha for all you AT guys !

 

I thought the extra chambers are supposed to prevent drone? Why does the AT drone and not the 6mt? I know on my 6mt, I cruise at around 3000rpm most of the time.

 

Probably the cruising rpm range of the auto vs the mt. On my 3, the eisenmann drones like mad on the AT and not on my MT.

 

As you can read in my post break in review, the droning was prevalent only after the initial install. After the break in period, the tone of the exhaust has definitely changed. Now, there is very minimal (close to none) droning at local speeds and it sounds great crusing at hwy speeds. This exhaust sounds very similar to the FI exhaust but a lil deeper & louder. Overall, I am very happy with this exhaust.

If any local guys wanna check it out. I would be more than happy to drop by a meet or arrange a time.

 

Welds look pretty messy on the prototype. I hope the production piece you get will have a clean weld! Sounds pretty good tho'... although I'd really have to listen to it in person.

 

The muffler welds look robotic, but the weld at the hangar and tips look rough.

 

Since it's only the protype, I have to admit the weldings aren't perfect. But I've seen their production versions on the coupe, they looked perfectly clean. I am really anxious to see the production version asap.

 

The guy that welded those tips should hang his head in shame.
He's got a very shaky hand, or did not prepare the piece for comfortable access to the area. I also see corruption in the weld, which you can see by the hole in the weld in pic # 2. Also, the undercut is the mark of an amatuer and it makes me think he's new to the field.
If someone came into my shop and that was the result of his welding test, he'd be thanked for his time and shown the door.

 

Thanks for the feedback guys. I can understand why many of you guys have addressed the subpar welding job. I would have preferred that the welding on even this prototype be par with the production version. Definitely the welding job is pretty much half as$ed but I really can't complain b/c I didn't pay a dime for this prototype. Honestly, you can't tell unless you are under the car to look for the welding points and I am pretty sure it has so negative effects to its performance.

I can vouch that the production version will have perfect welding points.

 

Can you take a pic from the rear from a squatting position (not camera on the ground like in the one previous pic) please. I want to see how low the cans hang and what's visible.

 

me like!

 

If you are curious to see if the dual chambers are visible from the rear, be advised that you cannot notice the 2nd chamber just looking behind the car unless you look very carefully. As displayed in the pic, you pretty much have to look for it from an angle to be able to see the dual chamber set up.

I'll try to get some pics soon.

 

im rocking the same exhaust. 0 drone. proper install?

 

Any pics? Do you have a sedan or a coupe?