My Ark Secondary Catless Downpipes experience

[thatjawncrazy]

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.

I mean, neither I nor Zman know if the code is downpipe related. Why stay stock just in case you get that code (which doesn't affect anything)?

Also, you don't need to buy a scanner. Every time it happens I go to any mechanic shop and see if they can scan it for me (and then they clear it, takes 5 minutes and it's free).

 

[Phastroh]

True but I was considering a set of drilled slotted rotors just for the look.

I may do both and I saw the duenpipe only like $507 free shipping.

Wondering if that would sound better just only that for now til I can snag some resonators and find a good place to make them.

 

[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.

I agree with what you said. I actually just around to doing my install today and it sounds much better!

 

[Phastroh]

I agree with what you said. I actually just around to doing my install today and it sounds much better!

I just ordered my Ark Downpipe off JM it was the cheapest, free shipping and no tax.

Just found out my brothers friend builds custom exhaust for cars so I’ll have him install and ask about a mid pipe if it changes the sound too.

I’ll leave the mufflers fir now though.

I used engine paint Matte black for now but I’m definitely getting the quad look. I’ll let him do it but I want to ask him a few questions.

These have like 6 coats and after a few hours still saw my finger print so I revisited and ieft overnight.

To reinstall I’m trying to think of I wrap paired over the front because the tight fit I think it will get scratched easy. I was not aware they didn’t cine out easily.

I mean the 4 screws are easy but I had to pull on the muffler and the chrome rubs on the car inside.

 

[Phastroh]

Well that engine paint I think was a bad choice.

The first problem is getting those oval in and out is not easy. I do not mean it is hard but to take them in and out smoothly is impossible at least on my car.

I would have to unbolt the muffler section to get it out of the way or remove the rear bumper.

So I went to reinstall and the paint ripple up like rubber. Now I rubbed it off flat and repainted it but it won't be smooth so today I will get regular paint. I did not realize the engine paint was rubbery,

Now I realize that any paint will scratch and I considered 4 options.

1) Use a paint marker
2) Put paper over it with tape to protect it.
3) Tape off the car and paint it installed
4) Wait until it goes to the exhaust shop and see if they will need to loosen the area and try to get them to reinstall carefully.

Having these things so sensitive seems to be a long term headache. Maybe thrown them in a fire to stay black permanently LOLOLO

Anyway the project continues. I hope I can get the paint off easy. I will soak it in Simple Green as I do my models.

Just sucks to put 7 coats on and in 1 second they are ruined.

I will use Matte Black still.

 

[KylePasadena]

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.

You ain’t kidding Jawn….I have the JUN B.L. EVC Performance exhaust with JUN B.L. Mid pipes…trying to come up with a way to install tips with my lower carbon fiber bumper…the quad tips of the JUN B.L. exhaust are welded together….I wanted this exhaust because the EVC is controlled by the OEM center console dial.

 

[Phastroh]

Well I am going to have my Ark Downpipe installed by a friend that has a shop who builds custom exhausts.

I want to ask him about making a midpipe while he installs it. I am unsure if having one made out of the 304 will make a difference and I have no idea what the stock is made from.

Since I removed the Metal ovals and will not reinstall them until he is working on it so the mufflers are out of the way, I may just leave them out permanently.

I want CF Dual Tips anyway and as big as I can fit however I have the ADRO CF Full Kit so my tips will sit about the rear diffuser so I hope it will not ruin it.

I do not want them sticking out a mile however I would like them to poke out just a tiny bit since they are decorative anyway.

I think I will be leaving the stock mufflers on it for now and just do the Ark and Midpipe.

I am not 100% on resonators and not because I do not like the sound but I kind of just want to start with a little bump in the sound and I can always add them later.

The strip is no longer visible as in the photo. Since there is nowhere to munth them really on this car I used my brackets that hold the strips and glued them to the gastank. Over a month and still connected securely, plus the ends and screwd in so even if all cracked it will just dropp until I fixed them.

So that is where my CF and exhaust tips meet. I do not have the car right now, I am having a new screen, new headlights and now interior part installed at the dealer so it is a 4 day rental LOL I took a Nissan Titan Woot I love trucks so I am happy they did not have a Genesis to give me.

 

[Volfy]

Well that engine paint I think was a bad choice.

The first problem is getting those oval in and out is not easy. I do not mean it is hard but to take them in and out smoothly is impossible at least on my car.

I would have to unbolt the muffler section to get it out of the way or remove the rear bumper.

So I went to reinstall and the paint ripple up like rubber. Now I rubbed it off flat and repainted it but it won't be smooth so today I will get regular paint. I did not realize the engine paint was rubbery,

Now I realize that any paint will scratch and I considered 4 options.

1) Use a paint marker
2) Put paper over it with tape to protect it.
3) Tape off the car and paint it installed
4) Wait until it goes to the exhaust shop and see if they will need to loosen the area and try to get them to reinstall carefully.

Having these things so sensitive seems to be a long term headache. Maybe thrown them in a fire to stay black permanently LOLOLO

Anyway the project continues. I hope I can get the paint off easy. I will soak it in Simple Green as I do my models.

Just sucks to put 7 coats on and in 1 second they are ruined.

I will use Matte Black still.

High-temp paint quite often needs heat to cure properly. If this is not actually on exhaust pipe or muffler, hitting it with a propane torch would help cure it.

Also, did you use a high-temp primer? Without an undercoat, the top coat might have adhesion problems.

Finally, make sure you surface prep properly. Clean it at least with something like IPA, or better yet, a degreaser or silicone/wax remover that is meant specifically for pain prep.

 

[Phastroh]

High-temp paint quite often needs heat to cure properly. If this is not actually on exhaust pipe or muffler, hitting it with a propane torch would help cure it.

Also, did you use a high-temp primer? Without an undercoat, the top coat might have adhesion problems.

Finally, make sure you surface prep properly. Clean it at least with something like IPA, or better yet, a degreaser or silicone/wax remover that is meant specifically for pain prep.

I ended up using Raptor paint in flat black as it is tough on being damaged.

I may never reinstall them once I have the exhaust shop add dual CF tips

Not sure if I will need it to protect the bumper either but the tips I only want to barely stick out.

One question I was gonna ask the guy who is a good exhaust builder was of having him make a custom mid pipe would be better than keeping the stock one.

Anyone know if it’s a good idea and if having 304 stainless is better.

I’m not sure what stock is made from and it just making them straight is better.

 

[7x62 G0D]

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.

Try a single exit I heard those sound good.

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[thatjawncrazy]

Try a single exit I heard those sound good.

Single exit hasn't been done on a 3.3t G70. It won't fit in the bumper cutout. Even if it did, the headers (or anything behind the primaries) would have to be unequal length.

 

[Phastroh]

I actually enjoy just the Ark downpipes alone.

Still sounds better and I can definitely hear it. I never changed anything else.

I heard one of those Titanium with the adjustable valves and I guess the thing I liked was that with it closed it basically sounded stock and when opened it sounded decent and not raspy or cheap pops and shyt I don’t want.

I just am not a fan of the crackle and pop stuff and used to make fun of the Hondas that sounded that way.

Guess times change but I like the option of not waking up my block late at night or just enjoying a quiet ride when I want it.

I was about to buy a JBL and suspension but then I thought to myself how when I got the car I was happy with it and I just couldn’t drop the $2500 for it and definitely not putting some loud azz buzz on it

I definitely still consider the JBL but it rides great and I’m not going to a track but the JBL is still on my radar. If I see one of those Titanium exhausts and it can be like the one I saw then ok maybe but I gotta be able to shut that thing up LOL.

 

[anthonyg48]

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.

are the oem resenators still on the mid pipe??

 

[thatjawncrazy]

are the oem resenators still on the mid pipe??

there are no OEM resonators on the midpipe, just catalytic converters

 

[G-201807]

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.

I’m not sure if this is still active nor if I will get a response but might aswell try .

What resonators do you have on, previous owner replaced the OEM mufflers with some cheap ones and they don’t sound bad but def don’t sound good. I already about my downpipes so hopefully I get the rest of the exhaust sorted before they come!

 

[thatjawncrazy]

I’m not sure if this is still active nor if I will get a response but might aswell try .

What resonators do you have on, previous owner replaced the OEM mufflers with some cheap ones and they don’t sound bad but def don’t sound good. I already about my downpipes so hopefully I get the rest of the exhaust sorted before they come!

I actually went back to stock mufflers, I think when i had the muffler deletes the shop just threw on whatever resonators they had in stock. Not sure what the brand were. I ended up absolutely hating the muffler delete especially on the highway so I'm back to just secondary downpipes.

 

[Thatblu70]

I have a 2.0 with stock cats and straight piped with a resonator as a “muffler at the end and I get a lot of compliments on it. I don’t know if I have any videoes…