ARK DT-S Exhaust Review
 

I figured I would put a new thread up so more people could find this easier. I know when I was trying to figure out what exhaust to go with, I came by the DT-S and couldn't find anything outside of the one video that ARK posted on YouTube.

Shout out to @xravexboix and FRS86 for getting me this exhaust (and the shirt! :D)

Background: I had previously bought the Greddy EVO3 exhaust for my BRZ. I posted a few videos of it. While I did like the exhaust, it just droned too much, and unfortunately right in the everyday driving RPM range. It sounded great with the silencers in, but I just refused to keep them in there. To me, I do not see a point of buying an exhaust just to restrict its flow with silencers. I'm sure it didn't make a HUGE difference with them in there, but it just bothered me.

So I decided to part ways with the EVO 3, and begin searching for another exhaust. I was eyeing up ARK's progress thread on the GRiP ever since they started it, and I saw the DT-S as well. Obviously, both look great to the eye, but what about the ear? With all the great feedback from GRiP owners, I tried to get my hands on one but missed out on all the pre-order ones. This bummed me out but it was my fault, because I am impatient and didn't want to wait in the first place for it. So then I was left with either waiting longer for the GRiP, or trying out the DT-S. I was very hesitant at first because I already tried out the EVO without getting feedback, and it backfired.

I hit up ARK, and probably every vendor who said they had ARK exhausts on order to figure out how loud this thing was. Well, I got a different answer from pretty much everyone. One saying its loud, another saying not too loud, this DB rating, that DB rating, etc etc. I finally got tired (and impatient, did I mention i'm impatient?:D) of waiting and trying to figure out how loud this thing was and just said screw it.

So, how loud is this exhaust? This thing is not loud at ALL. I have been told the GRiP is quieter than this exhaust...so that thing must be a whisper. You can definitely hear this exhaust if you give it gas, but can make it "stock" like when cruising, which was impossible with the EVO 3. I am so anal about an exhaust being loud because I am harassed constantly by law enforcement where I live. I have not been bothered (knock on wood) at all yet, and I have even swallowed my pride and drove right passed cops in areas I know they are pricks just to test this theory.

I can talk comfortably in the cabin, you do not have to yell at all. Actually, the only time I have to yell is when my music is on, the music will be louder than the exhaust even if its not blasting. This exhaust is an absolute pleasure...and everything I wanted. I am glad I lost my patience and just settled with the DT-S. I still would like to hear the GRiP, but from the vendors i've talked to, everyone who has heard both GRiP and DT-S prefer the DT-S :)

As far as quality, this thing is beautiful! The welds are nice and buttery smooth. I thought I had taken a photo of the weld but I must have deleted it.

Packaged nicely:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...FC149F8DE7.jpg

"Titanium Tips" (which I liked a lot better in person..but still kind of wish I had all stainless...if anything I'll just sand it off lol)
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...FC23575260.jpg

Purdy:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...FC2D6B6B20.jpg

Installed:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...FC3AF67E18.jpg

Videos:
[ame="http://youtube.com/watch?v=kU4wB4n3Fj4"]ARK DT-S Exhaust[/ame]

[ame="http://youtube.com/watch?v=xhKZhbOhfkk"]ARK DT-S Exhaust Cruising[/ame]

If I had one thing to complain about, it would be that the tips stick out a little more than I like.

looks great in this photo:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...FE4DE7E215.jpg

Overhead shows how it sticks out:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...FE9BC44357.jpg

Other than that, I highly recommend this exhaust. It is pricey, so that will turn away a lot of people...but I was able to get this at the pre order pricing so it wasn't too bad.

Hope this review helps out a bit on people who were interested in this exhaust. I'm not really sure why ARK didn't market this exhaust as much as the GRiP.

Great review--nicely done...

Any weight comparisons of both versions to stock out there? Looking to save anywhere possible. Thx

Looks good :) how long was install?

Thank you!

weight i'm not sure of. I should have done that, but I forgot lol. Maybe I can get in contact with ARK and they can confirm a weight.


Thanks! Install took probably a little over an hour, I like to take my time. Plus I did it when it started getting dark out so I had to move lights and crap around to see.

I also took a little while because when I mated the rear section of the exhaust up to the stock dp, I could have swore it wasn't tight enough to not create an exhaust leak. On this exhaust you need to reuse the stock donut gasket and I could literally move the exhaust even when tight a little bit so I figured I was going to get a leak. I took the pipe off a few times and double checked a million things, tried different bolts etc because I thought I was doing it wrong. I wasn't though... and no leaks.

finally an ARK DT-S review! Thanks for this!

No problem!

Here is what it sounds like with a JDL UEL header attached.

blip at idle

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...ps4fb94228.jpg

cruising

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...ps15e26568.jpg

Safe to say you really enjoy this then! Good, I'm really torn between this unit and the new Limited Greddy / TRUST CS GTS Ver.2 Catback. I really need to see more reviews on the Greddy to make my desicion, at least some kind of dyno graph. At the moment it seems to be solely about looks as some say its very quiet. It is beautifull, especially the tips. Is the titanium on the ARK think? I mean like double layered tips? I love that look, dont really like the exhaust to look like thin mettal at the tips, it looks unfinished IMO

EDIT: by the looks of it the tips look double layered :)

I believe it is yes. Honestly most catbacks aren't going to net you that much power on this car - i'd just go with whatever you think sounds the best and best quality. Just find something that fits your "ears" and isn't too loud/quiet and you will be just fine. Haven't even seen that GReddy exhaust, I will have to take a look!

Im actually falling for the ARK dt-s lol and theres a group buy going on with free test pipe. I dont want the test pipe as i dont want too loud

I had a catted front pipe on there before i put the header on, and it made it louder but not overbearing. I know ARK's pipe only has the helmoltz resonator so i know it will be louder.

I actually took my front pipe out when i got the header because it was too loud for me.

That GReddy exhaust looks nice but just keep note the piping is only 2.36", then into 2". Probably why its so quiet.

Yeah thats exactly what is holding me back and the fact that its way more expensive. I think the smart choice is ARK... Thanks so much for your help. Its so difficult making a decision based on what vendors tell you. The sell point for ne is you still enjoy it one year after you bought it

Yeah I hear that..the ARK is kind of pricey too but not as bad as the GReddy.

I love this exhaust, and get compliments on it all the time. Just try to think about how loud you want the car, and your future mods. I think it would be way too loud without cats/full exhaust but then again I think its going to be like that with any exhaust at this point lol. By itself it is tame but not quiet like that greddy one.

I have exhaust clips of just the DT-S, not sure if you heard them.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kU4wB4n3Fj4&feature=share&list=UUHq37QdtbJ qpD_xvzNoz5ug"]rev[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhKZhbOhfkk&feature=share&list=UUHq37QdtbJ qpD_xvzNoz5ug"]Cruising[/ame]

theres a group buy going on offering a testpipe for free. Its a great deal, $1,200 for both. If I can get a better price by removing the test pipe that would be awesome. There was supposed to be a vendor called FTPARTS that sold it for $999 but I cant find him lol

ill def hear them when i get home. Im at the office and have no speakers...actually I should get back to work... lol!