My Ark Secondary Catless Downpipes experience

[thatjawncrazy]

WRITEUP

New ARK secondaries/secondary downpipes and resonated muffler delete installed. Maybe the best ~$700 I’ve spent besides wheels. As usual…here’s the writeup…

I was honestly getting bored of a fast-looking car with almost zero sound. The turbo noise was nice but it just didn’t sound like ANYTHING. So i fixed it.

You will not have a good time with just a muffler delete. Even resonated, the downpipes really take the edge off. In terms of GOOD sound for your money - i like them better than some of these full G70 exhausts.

Only at 2K under load it sounds like a VQ engine…everywhere else it’s awesome. You hear way more engine inside the car, but you won’t hate yourself like you would with just a muffler delete. And for an engine that sucks at sounding good, it sounds good with these. If you’re the one that hates the stock exhaust and hates aftermarket exhausts…you’ll like this setup.

It will burble the entire time from ~30 mph in sport mode after letting off the gas, and has a really nice edge to it when you accelerate. Slowing down and pulling up to a restaurant with all the burbles is pretty cool.

I can still hear music perfectly fine. Have done many road trips since install. You ain’t sacrificing much. I strongly assume the IMR secondaries will sound similar and install similar to these.

INSTALL

You’re gonna need a normal set of tools, plus about a 12 inch 1/2” extension. And an impact wrench.
You have to take out the two studs from the primary-to-secondary downpipe connection, and the two nuts/bolts from the secondary-to-midpipe connection.
The primary studs are basically impossible to reach without that extension. Just be careful with them. I broke one of them when using my impact to get em out (i drive in snow and they definitely rusted). Everything else is pretty straightforward, only four bolts per side.
Keep track of what gaskets go where. The downpipes should come with their own gaskets.
And, when you put the primary studs back on, tighten them, warm the engine up, then tighten them AGAIN. I did the job when the engine was cold - when it warmed up, some parts expanded from the heat and one stud got loose. Don’t be afraid when you tighten them lol.

SOUND VIDEOS

I'm about to slap my gopro on my rear bumper and go drive around. Stay tuned.

 

[Eaglesfly]

Did you notice any performance improvement with the ARK secondaries? I've read so many people say that they don't provide any performance gains, just sound. Looking at the stock secondaries I can't understand how catless pipes wouldn't provide some benefit, if not even faster turbo spool.

 

[thatjawncrazy]

Did you notice any performance improvement with the ARK secondaries? I've read so many people say that they don't provide any performance gains, just sound. Looking at the stock secondaries I can't understand how catless pipes wouldn't provide some benefit, if not even faster turbo spool.

I don't think I notice any performance benefits. The primary downpipes are still stock and that is probably where most of the backpressure is created, so it wouldn't make sense (to me) that reducing backpressure further back in the exhaust would decrease spool time. I definitely notice a bit more power from the colder weather though lol. Fully catless primaries and catted secondaries make a difference, i'm sure.

 

[Zmanflex91]

Myself and a buddy of mine both have the 3.3 g70 and have bought this exact kit. I have not installed mine yet. When he installed his he got a check engine light/ catalytic code two days after. The dealer said his catalytic passenger side is failing. Prolly has nothing to do with this kit might just be random. I plan to install mine next weekend. It does add some much needed sound without being annoying. IMO this is the best move to go with unless you prefer the loud full exhaust mod. For me a full exhaust doesn’t sound as good as say a Nissan/ Infiniti exhaust.

 

[Phastroh]

Only thing I see on their site is the Grip
Exhaust that like $2k or down pipes that like $500.

So that Grip exhaust must be similar sounding to yours or is it considered loud.

I’m not into loud and I see some made to pop lol sorry but wtf you want it to pop on purpose

 

[thatjawncrazy]

Myself and a buddy of mine both have the 3.3 g70 and have bought this exact kit. I have not installed mine yet. When he installed his he got a check engine light/ catalytic code two days after. The dealer said his catalytic passenger side is failing. Prolly has nothing to do with this kit might just be random. I plan to install mine next weekend. It does add some much needed sound without being annoying. IMO this is the best move to go with unless you prefer the loud full exhaust mod. For me a full exhaust doesn’t sound as good as say a Nissan/ Infiniti exhaust.

Is it a P0420 or P0430 code by any chance?

This is definitely the best move to go with. People really spend thousands on a full ARK Grip catback or Borla stuff, and then it sounds like a VQ motor or sounds super raspy.

 

[thatjawncrazy]

Also guys - here's a sound video from the rear bumper. Just read the description!

 

[Zmanflex91]

Is it a P0420 or P0430 code by any chance?

This is definitely the best move to go with. People really spend thousands on a full ARK Grip catback or Borla stuff, and then it sounds like a VQ motor or sounds super raspy.

P0430

 

[Phastroh]

Is this the same part - Part No. DP1601-0218R (RWD)

You had to sign the waiver and it removes the Cats.

Sorry bud just trying to find the exact parts you got because I’m not familiar with them and so I gotta look around.

So just to be sure the Ark parts eliminate the Cats and then you just remove the mufflers and put in a straight pipe.

If that’s true I can just buy the Ark parts I listed and do they make the pipe from there to the exhaust tips as well?

 

[thatjawncrazy]

P0430

Yeah, i get the same one every few thousand miles or it's P0420. Only after installing these. It runs fine.

I think my passenger side primary-to-secondary sealing face is not fully seated somehow. Are yours completely tight and all using the right gaskets?

______________________________

Help support this site so it can continue supporting you!

 

[thatjawncrazy]

Is this the same part - Part No. DP1601-0218R (RWD)

You had to sign the waiver and it removes the Cats.

Sorry bud just trying to find the exact parts you got because I’m not familiar with them and so I gotta look around.

So just to be sure the Ark parts eliminate the Cats and then you just remove the mufflers and put in a straight pipe.

If that’s true I can just buy the Ark parts I listed and do they make the pipe from there to the exhaust tips as well?

DP1601-0218A for my AWD but what you have is the correct part number for RWD. I got mine from boostedwhipz_official on instagram since he's an ARK brand manager and can get you a discount.

And yes - Ark parts eliminate secondary cats and then i removed mufflers and put in a RESONATED straight pipe. A true straight pipe after secondaries would cause you physical pain to listen to on the highway.

They don't make the pipe from there to the exhaust tips - Hoff Performance makes one if you want to buy just the pipe but it has no resonators so it's kinda useless. I would highly suggest getting any good exhaust shop to make you a resonated muffler delete rather than spend five hundred and thirty nine dollars (more than the downpipes cost) on two pieces of straight pipe. And don't be sorry for asking!

 

[Phastroh]

DP1601-0218A for my AWD but what you have is the correct part number for RWD. I got mine from boostedwhipz_official on instagram since he's an ARK brand manager and can get you a discount.

And yes - Ark parts eliminate secondary cats and then i removed mufflers and put in a RESONATED straight pipe. A true straight pipe after secondaries would cause you physical pain to listen to on the highway.

They don't make the pipe from there to the exhaust tips - Hoff Performance makes one if you want to buy just the pipe but it has no resonators so it's kinda useless. I would highly suggest getting any good exhaust shop to make you a resonated muffler delete rather than spend five hundred and thirty nine dollars (more than the downpipes cost) on two pieces of straight pipe. And don't be sorry for asking!

Ah ok. Thanks

I thought muffler delete was just a straight pipe

If you get a chance to post pix I’d appreciate it. I would hope the shop would know but I’ve not seen any pix of one.

Who made yours?

 

[thatjawncrazy]

Ah ok. Thanks

I thought muffler delete was just a straight pipe

If you get a chance to post pix I’d appreciate it. I would hope the shop would know but I’ve not seen any pix of one.

Who made yours?

I'll get some today for sure. Just ignore the rust on the exhaust hangers...

Major Muffler in CT made mine. It goes...flange, pipe, a bend, a straight section with resonator, another bend, then the tips. I don't actually have any tips, which could probably help me even more with whatever drone is left.

 

[Phastroh]

I heard the full Ark and I was not as raspy as I expected but I can’t have that nasty noise at all.

I heard the pop people get on purpose oMg why lol

I’ve been focused on my CF so now I’m considering the exhaust but it’s gotta sound beefy not ricey.

I know sound transfer is a bit eh online but it sounds ok to me. I’m not a fan of just revs and flybys since I do niether. Happy you drove normal.

I’m also looking to make my stock tips black but I’ve not seen a way. My car needs them to look better.

 

[thatjawncrazy]

Welds aren't pretty but they seal 100% and they were an amazing price.

Tips are difficult on this car. You need to remove the chrome bezel and then you need perfect alignment to fit any kind of twin tip through there. And if you do a single round tip - you will be able to see through the gap between the sides of the tip and the bumper edges all the way to the ground, which looks like (bad). I haven't really explored it.

 

[Phastroh]

View attachment 49842
Welds aren't pretty but they seal 100% and they were an amazing price.

Tips are difficult on this car. You need to remove the chrome bezel and then you need perfect alignment to fit any kind of twin tip through there. And if you do a single round tip - you will be able to see through the gap between the sides of the tip and the bumper edges all the way to the ground, which looks like (bad). I haven't really explored it.

Nah I’m happy to leave the stock tips but I’d like them black and not chrome.

Just want the shop to make a nice pipe that ends like the stocks do.

Thanks for the pic. I never knew they had to put those things in there I imagined just a straight pipe.

So those are just a standard resonator and probably cone in many different kinds.

I’m waiting on the company I bought the front markers and trim in Carbon Fiber to match my ADRO to get back with other costs so I may pick up the ARK piece in sale.

You said you get a code so then you need one of those tools to reset it.

I hate to get codes lol so it’s from the Cats not being there.

 

[thatjawncrazy]

Nah I’m happy to leave the stock tips but I’d like them black and not chrome.

Just want the shop to make a nice pipe that ends like the stocks do.

Thanks for the pic. I never knew they had to put those things in there I imagined just a straight pipe.

So those are just a standard resonator and probably cone in many different kinds.

I’m waiting on the company I bought the front markers and trim in Carbon Fiber to match my ADRO to get back with other costs so I may pick up the ARK piece in sale.

You said you get a code so then you need one of those tools to reset it.

I hate to get codes lol so it’s from the Cats not being there.

Yessir. I'm the same way, i wish they were black, maybe there's some kinda high temp paint I can use on it.

Standard resonator, they charged me $65 for each one. And i keep resetting the code and it doesn't come back for another few thousand miles, which is a tiny price to pay for the sound. The secondary cats aren't monitored and have no sensors so I have zero idea why it's throwing a code. For anyone looking...my car runs freaking great, but i get these random codes.

Does anyone here know if not enough backpressure will result in an engine running lean? My stock primaries are still in place and those are what I would assume most of the backpressure comes from...

 

[Phastroh]

So I will have to buy a code machine to clear it then. I’ll cross that bridge later.

I’ll keep watching and hope there’s an answer. Too bad the code can’t be set to ignore.

 

[Zmanflex91]

Yeah, i get the same one every few thousand miles or it's P0420. Only after installing these. It runs fine.

I think my passenger side primary-to-secondary sealing face is not fully seated somehow. Are yours completely tight and all using the right gaskets?

his cat finally failed Monday and went down on power. It’s at the dealer currently waiting for a new cat lol

 

[Phastroh]

That’s too bad.

Makes me want to just buy an entire system so there are no problems but then it won’t sound good.

I guess I’ll stay stock for now and hope someone can make a decent sounding system.

Either that or just ditch the mufflers only.