Hey Guys this is my first real attempt at contributing to this great community here at ScionLife that I’ve taken so much from. I am the lucky owner of a ‘12 SW tC. I recently have had the pleasure of doing business with the guys at ArkPeformance and they helped me a lot with my purchase of their GRiP exhaust and feeling good about the product. I have had the chance to listen to other tcs with Megan drift specs and Greddy RSs. I even purchased a used Greddy RS catback (was missing the connector piece so was bad experience there /: ) I decided that when I’d have my money together I would dive into what seems like the best quality exhaust out there for the gen 2 tc right now. What Ive heard from my friends in the genesis and 350 community was that Ark has great quality exhausts so I looked into them and did some research, liked what I found and dove right in.
My first impressions on the Ark exhaust when It first arrived at my place was just how well packaged it was and how amazing the welds on this bad boy looked. Ive never seen welds like that on any car parts Ive ever bought so right off the bat I was really pleased with my purchase. Also there are 4 main parts of tubing to the exhaust where as the Greddy RS had 3 main pieces of tubing and a small connector piece (the piece I was missing on the used Greddy) Installation of the exhaust was a breeze and took only about an hour and some change. (I’ve taken my exhaust on and off about 3 times it might take closer to two hours if you haven’t loosen up the bolts before) Once its on everything lines up perfectly and the hangers couldn’t be more spot on. The tip sits flush with the body doesn’t poke out much except when looking at from the driver side of the car just because of how the rear end is curved. It didn’t come with any hard polyurethane hangers like the drift spec does which I would have liked just cause I’m **** about everything and I like as little movement as possible especially when I start my car up. Definitely could live without because it doesn’t move as much. I’m a huge fan of the design of how the drone canister looks next to the muffler. I could see how some people could be iffy on it at first but In person I’m completely sold it looks really different and classy.
When it comes to sound you notice it the second you turn her on for the first time it’s got a much more aggressive growl and is definitely a stark improvement that won’t go unnoticed from stock sound. It is a lot harder to play with while driving to get the sounds that you expect from canister style exhausts. It a lot less loud than the Greddy RS, however In my honest opinion it is a really rich deep aggressive sound that doesn’t get annoying. Drone is almost non existent and my friends that know about cars appreciate what the exhaust does as far as cabin noise.
Overall it is pricey at over a grand for a catback on our cars considering the Megan and the Tsudo are way way well under half that. But I can honestly say the quality and workmanship is there. Wish it were a tiny bit louder and maybe sit a little further from where it is. For an exhaust that doesn’t take attention away from the car but adds to it and compliments it I would have to say it was worth every dime for me. Super happy to rep this GRiP exhaust.

 

More Pics will come soon (just waiting on weather) Startup videos aswell just looking to see if I can come up with anything that will do it an ounce of justice regarding the audio

 

nice review this would be my exhaust choice if we didn't get the rs 8.0 but trd is hard to beat for sound.

 

Thanks you for the review...

Here is Youtube video link:

 

if possible- could you get a lot of pics of it from the rear? left, right, top, pics from afar? i always see up close, but i want to see how it would look in real life (as in eye level, instead of the usual ground-up view) and just curious as how noticeable the canister is from behind.

 

i have some pics of this exhaust in my profile (garage album). hope it helps

 

I had this exhaust on my 2011 tC with manual transmission, absolutely loved the sound it made especially at redline shifts. I have a video of it on youtube.


Unfortunately my tC is gone to the scrap yard for water damage. I have the exhaust for sale now.

 

KLOPE1: You have sound clips of your car?

Ryan2339: How much $$?

 

Yeah the youtube link/video in my post is of the exhaust on my car.

I posted it in the classified section as well for $900

 

Sorry VuDism no sound clip yet but im working on it when i have free time.

 

made a quick video b4 work and during my lunch break. video might not give the exhaust. if you guys want another vid ill use an more reliable camera man.

 

Very nice Klope! Very nice. I was trying to see cuz if I go full exhaust I was gonna do the same setup

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

 

Thanks VuDism, only thing i need is a s-pipe to complete the exhaust. dezod is developing one and RS has one but i would prefer waiting on dezod since i have there header. i love the lower tone that this exhaust gives out. not a fan of high pitch exhausts. Ark also have the DT-S series which is a lil louder than the grip.

 

I def prefer lower exhaust note vs high pitched loud and raspy.. I came from 2 Subaru's and a Z so those exhausts notes are as good as a Japanese car gets lol

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2