ARK grip catback exhaust review
 

So here is my first review of a product, so please be easy on me haha.
Sorry for not having pics up. I need to still take some and adjust the exhaust in which I will go into detail about later.

The Ark Grip catback is what I ordered sometime last week through a guy by the name of Lerry. I have to admit, that guy was super nice and really on top of his stuff. I had the stuff to me by the next day! :coolpics:
Packaging:
The packaging was really well done. The box was wrapped up and the exhaust parts were very carefully put in the box with no signs of scratches, dings, or dents.

Install:
The install was SUPER easy! If you need instructions, the instructions are very user friendly and have a step by step process on how to install the catback system. The only problem that I had which is user error, is that I did not put the bolts through all of the parts first and hold up the mufflers to where I wanted them. This in turn caused one side to slightly hang lower by a little tiny bit. Noticeable to me since I am picky, but interestingly my friends haven't noticed. RTFM! (hopefully you know what that is. Ask if you don't , lol):thumbup:

Overall it took about, id roughly say, 30 minutes. Do keep in mind though that I was rushing since I needed to get to school. Earlier,my car was being filmed for GT Channel in regards to a How To for installing a KW V3 coilover system at the shop I work for so I was very limited on time to get to grad school

Appearance:
This is probably where it helps to have pics and I apologize for not having the pics. I would like to post them after I fix the uneven deal I stated above. Since my car is lowered on KW V3s, I was worried about clearance. Definitely no issue what so ever. My car is pretty low now and no issues over bumps or dips. I do go a little sideways of course, which is the nature of being lowered.

The angle of the mufflers are absolutely stunning!:happyanim:The tips aren't too big and the burnt tip is my type of thing. Definitely an aesthetically pleasing catback system.



Performance and sound:
Here is the gravy that most of you want to know about. The tone when the car is warming up is pretty damn loud, but once the car jumps down into the regular idle speed and warms up a bit, it quiets down A LOT.

While driving, the tone is quite low and is not too loud if you like a mild tone. From 0 through 3k it's a low sound, from 3500k and up, it turns into more of a hollow deep sound which to me sounds amazing (kind of like a g35). It starts to definitely open up after 3500. Note: THERE IS NO DRONE! :party0030::party0030::party0030: Definitely was impressed with that. Only thing is that it may be a little to quiet for me with just the catback. Lerry at ARK did mention that I should really look into the test pipe through them that has their anti droning abilities. Unfortunately, I passed up on the offer and well, I feel that I need it now.

Performance wise, I can't say I am an expert, but have notice a little pickup in the higher rpms opposed to stock. Placebo? perhaps, but I do believe I feel it.

Overall:
PROS:
-Excellent packaging. No dings, dents, scratches, scruffs, or anything. Flawless
-Very easy to install with very detailed instructions
-Awesome and friendly customer service
-Great appearance with no issues with clearance
-Amazing tone! Definitely best I have EVER heard
-Performance gains are noticeable to me, but that's just me
CONS:
- none

Side note:
Test pipe is on order as of today and I should have it tomorrow morning. Install will occur perhaps this week when I have time at the shop or maybe even next week. If you guys want me to update the sound quality, I will definitely do so. I should have listened to Lerry and got the test pipe along with the catback to make it somewhat louder and also free up more flow. I'm glad at the same time that I just went the catback so I could get a feel of the overall tonal characteristics of the exhaust.

Thanks for reading guys. Sorry if this was lame!

UPDATE with test pipe from ARK:

Packaging:
Alright, so I got my test pipe today from ARK just as expected in awesome packaging again and without any dings, dents, scuffs, and the box had all the hardware necessary.

Install:
The install was pretty easy. It's very self explanatory and took about 20 minutes at my shop. If you have any questions what so ever, please ask and I can give a detailed description. Just a side note as Lerry from ARK mentioned as well as @20valvewynn83, the plastic under panel SLIGHTLY needs to be cut. It's a VERY minimal amount and does not look tacky or anything. Reason being? The helmhotz device is SLIGHTLY in the way. In no way was this a pain or a CON. It actually reduces drone. Trust me, it works. Anyways, bolts up nicely with no issues.

Aesthetics:
Well the helmholtz makes it look pretty boss! haha.

Performance and Sound:
Now the gravy portion. Performance wise, the car seems to pick up more than with just the catback on. I can really notice the difference. Oh and if you guys were wondering, no CEL.

In terms of sound, the test pipe didn't make the car too loud. It's a bit louder than with just the catback, but EXTREMELY tasteful. The sound I described from 3500 and up being the hollow g37 type noise is now very noticeable throughout the whole range. I absolutely LOVE IT! Lerry was absolutely about the catback being too quiet and I definitely am happy about getting the test pipe. Again, the helmholtz definitely reduces drone and even with the test pipe, still minimal drone. I can't even notice it.

Overall:
- Great packaging and flawless with all hardware necessary
- Looks absolutely great on the car
- Install was very straight forward and simple. It lined up perfectly.
- Very noticeable pick up in RPM with the test pipe and catback installed
- The tone has turned into the tone that I have always wanted.
- Not too loud, not too quiet. Just perfect.
- Minimal drone to where I can't notice it
- No rasp or fart can noise.
- Sounds amazing from 1k to 7k
- Definitely more aggressive than just a catback

In conclusion, I am even more mind blown by the catback with the addition of the test pipe. The tone is what I have always wanted the awesome part is the noticeable gain. Hands down the best exhaust system I have heard. Can't wait to drive it tomorrow morning!

Thanks for reading guys! Any questions, feel free to ask!

Oh, and if you want a set, hit up Lerry at ARK. Super nice dude and knows a lot about their products.

Thanks for the review. Please check back in and post after you've worn in the exhaust for a while. I'd be interested if the sound is just even more pleasing after it's been toned down a bit.

I sure will! I'll also report on how the test pipe is. Thanks for the interest.

Have you heard the sound difference between the Grip vs DTS before you got it?

Hey bro you will just love the sound of the grip setup with the test pipe. As I was the first to have the complete test pipe back grip exhaust I will say the outcome will be to your liking. Just note when you go to put it on you will need to modify the under cover (meaning cut a part of it off). Also just wait until you break it in and the sound gets slightly louder (no too loud). I loved this system more then the DTS but both sound great. I actually had both systems on my car. Love the grip because I can go on long road trips without a headache.

I believe ARK show the DTS has better gain than the Grip on their website with dyno's graphs. Both system look & sound damn good. The Grip look like a monster saxophones underneath. Man this is top choice for tax return. lol :lol:

IIRC The DTS showed more gain because they dynoed it with the test pipe on

I honestly have not, but I heard that the DTS was slightly louder according to Lerry at ARK. I really liked the grip due to the way the canisters are positioned.

posting update in a few

If I recall the grip gained more but it also had the test pipe. They only ran the DTS cat back without test pipe so the DTS would produce more with the test pipe. Both systems are extremely sexy I think.

Have you compared ARK sound with Evo3 or Perrin yet? Based on few recent clips and reviews, the evo3 is a little loud with some drone but it has the best deep warm sound. The Perrin sound raspy and look plain. The ARK Grip and DTS really have nicer design look and sound great.

great review! glad to see another Ark owner enjoying their product :thumbsup:
cant wait to throw a test pipe on mine

To be completely honest. ZERO rasp from the ark even with the test pipe on. i sounds amazing. it sounds a little hollow kinda like a g35 with an exhaust. that's the tone. it's not super lower. it's lower tower the low rpms but when you open it up, good lord it's mind blowing

it makes a world of a difference. it sounds SOOO MUCH better!

I bet! Just gotta stop bein lazy and Install it, been sitting in my garage for a month :bonk:

BTW 20valvewynn83 you're ebay famous: http://www.ebay.com/itm/370716022743...6597d7&vxp=mtr

Can you make a video or sound clip?

i don't have anything that records minus my cell phone. the quality won't be that great. the clip they have of their grip exhaust online is probably the closest, but in person it's meaner and sounds much more clearer not muffled.

just ordered mine today...how hard is it to install? i was thinking of testing the dts first get a feel for it then eventually get the optional test pipe, then a tune. for the panels was it hard to fabricate to fit the test pipe?what method did you use, if you got a shop i got my garage lol what tools can i use just a heads up before i buy the test pipe??

For those wondering, here is a sound clip driving around town with the grip, test pipe and a JDL over pipe.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fj46Pw_taao"]FR-S ARK GRiP exhaust cruising - YouTube[/ame]

To get the panel to fit over the test pipe, I just took scissors and cut it away.

Very nice sound. Tell us reason why you picked grip ov dts? Sound , look, gain?

Thanks! Every time I drive the car, it's music to my ears, haha.

I went with the grip catback due to timing, mostly. I've had it since ~November 2012 and was signed up for intro pricing. At that time, only the grips were up for sale.

To me, the sound difference between the grip and dts wasn't tooooo terribly different, and there were a lot more videos up of the grip and grip+front pipe. Also, the grip was supposedly barely quieter (I have plans to do a full exhaust, so that was another plus).

As far as looks, I like the dts a little better (more clean looking from behind with only the two resonators), but the grip has a lot more of an exotic appeal, I think.

Gains between the two are negligible, at best, right? 1-2hp(?) won't make a difference.

As I understand it, the GRiP ads more torque vs hp, while the DT-S is the other way around and is tailored to high RPMs.

I plan on getting the GRiP.. I love the sound and drone-reducing technology, and also the power gains and the beautiful polish looks and nice welding. But its on the more expensive side, so I'm taking my time :)

..or the Perrin :) Are there any dyno tests of the GRiP *WITHOUT* the test pipe?

http://www.frs-tuner.com/ark-dt-s-an...-s-subaru-brz/

That looks like a nice graph, but I'm not going to be running a test pipe in California :(.

If I didn't get my invidia N1 I woulda have bought the ARK Grip... Threads like these always make me feel like shopping lol

I just bought a P&L catted header and am hoping to match it with the Grip. My main concern would be this would change the low grumble sound of the Grip by adding rasp. Or would this addition make the sound better?

is it resonated?

Make sure it's resonated if you don't want any rasp

does anyone have a catless setup with the Ark Grip or Dt-S catback? Will this set up reduce drone/loudness compared to the Invidia N1 (my current setup)? I'm FI, El headers, full catless 2.5in right now, under 3.5k rpm is very quiet, and nice, but when I go WOT, its race car loud. Need to tone down the sound more with a muffler, and trying see if other options are available other than the Q300, which makes it a little more high pitched noise than I like.

The Ark seems to have a lower tone to it, similar to the N1 or Evo3

@BRZPDX

The N1 is louder, yes, but only by a little bit. The ark systems have a lot of resonators, so that will have less drone than the N1, but I'm not sure exactly how much quieter it will be.

I have a header back exhaust, with ARK front pipe and back... cold starts piss off my neighbors (especially when I leave early in the morning, or late at night/come back late...I have gotten notes on my car) and I can set off car alarms.

So, I'm not sure how much quieter you think it will get, but realistically not all that much, since I'm able to do all this and without a header. I measured 78dB ~10ft away on cold start, with it quieting to ~55dB when the rpms dropped to 1k

78dB doesn't seam that loud. a lawn mower is by far louder than that (http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/noise/). Sounds like you have some whiny neighbors haha

@Sypher

Consider this: would you want your neighbor to mow the lawn every day at 7am? Or in several cases, 5am? What about again at 11pm? Or 3am?

When you live in a townhouse complex or an apartment complex, it's different. My driveway/car is right by their front door and the master bedroom is above that. 78dB might not be "loud" (keep in mind, this was measured with my.....phone), but that is just it on start up.... Cold start up, and I let my car idle for a minute or so. If there is snow, it's even longer while I brush off the snow or shovel. I know all about sound levels and what is recommended, dangerous, etc; we covered that in a class I took last semester. So it leads me to believe my phone was not accurate (who would have thought.....) But it is a good starting point. Tell me where you live, and I will start my car outside of your front door every day at 7am.... And then Thurs-Fri I will start again at 11pm and will come back close to 3am. Tell me you won't get tired of that

Thanks for the info. seems like less drone does not equal "quieter". the muffler system is more important then resonators, is my understanding. I really don't want cats in the turbo setup, so my only option to make it quieter without disturbing flow will be a muffler?

I can't comment on it compared to an N1, but I have the grip with JDL UEL header, stock overpipe, catted front pipe.

Its loud on cold starts (this is because of the front pipe, I had to swap my stock one in the other day to fix something and cold starts werent loud anymore), but after that, it tames down a LOT. It gets loud when you get in it but its not that bad. I have cops that live to hand out exhaust tickets and I haven't been pulled over yet (knock on wood).

I have heard the q300 is very very quiet. I'm almost tempted to get it. I like the sound of an exhaust but it just isn't worth it to me anymore with the law. Though this hasn't applied to me yet with my car so I can't complain.

The only thing I don't like about the ARK exhausts is they hang down very very low. The back flange right after the diff is super low to the ground if you are lowered.

@BRZPDX
Yes - resonators do just that. They are designed to cancel certain resonant frequencies (wavelengths), which in turn reduces drone, not necessarily sound level (amplitude). A catalytic converter (even a high flow cat) is in essence, a muffler. Have you looked at perrin or isis, even?


@xxscaxx
Bingo - remove a cat (muffler) and it gets louder...
Someone I know just put a Q300 on his brz and it is REALLY quiet. It gives a nice tone and a slight bump up in volume, but it's almost like a factory performance exhaust (think SPT, or TRD) in terms of volume.

And regarding the clearance from the flanges? I have not scraped those at all; only the midpipe. You just need to learn to crab walk over bumps, lol. I'm lowered about 1.7"

I don't hit them either, I just said I don't like how low they are.

BUT, with my ARK DT-S I first had, a local bridge put in those giant metal panels, and I was forced to stay in that lane because of traffic. That back flange caught the panel, and ripped a hole right through the flange, took out a chunk of it, and crimpled the pipe a bit.

They hang low. Go take a pic of your exhaust from the rear and tell me that thing isn't low to the ground :lol:

Oh, it is low. I won't deny that :cheers: Mine hangs about 3-4" above the ground. I just haven't had any issues (scraping or otherwise).................yet:bonk:

Any cbance you could get a vid? I am really likeing the grip but will got with headers eventually and am worried if it is too loud. The jdls are catless right?

Good call for a video. I'd like to get a header+tune in a year or so.

The JDL UEL is catless, and the EL is catless, but can now recently be purchased with a cat

no need to get all defensive there bud. I was simply stating my opinion in a joking manor at that (notice the "haha" :D). here are a few reasons how i arrived at said opinion.
1) I didn't know you measured dB with your phone. (i could have missed it but i don't recall you saying you took this measurement with your phone.)
2) As shown in the link i provided a lawnmower is roughly 106dB not your roughly stated 78dB.
3) I sleep threw damn near everything so you are more than welcome to rev your motor near my house at whatever time you like if you are willing to drive across the country. My city and state is in my info to the left.
4) My neighbor drives a Dodge with a Cummins with a 4" straight pipe to the rear of his truck and he leaves at 6:30 every morning. I rarely hear it and when i do it does not bother me one bit.

Good luck with your car! hope you find an exhaust you and your neighbors will like :thumbsup: