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Solo2Protege
09-24-2005, 01:13 PM
I have had good experience with ARK, having been the test fit car for thier short shifter a few months back, so they called me back when they had thier new Stainless Steel exhaust system ready to test fit.

Upon first look, the system is shinny chrome and very well built. The welds are meticulas and the tip is beautiful. Has a unique engraved badge tack welded to the tip on both sides, adds a nice touch.

Once ARK does thier official release, i'll have better pics of the car on the lift. But for now, i only have what i could get with the car sitting on the ground.

The only minor problem, is that since it's a slip on system and it's fully chromed, the tip wants to shift off center of the bumper cutout. This is due to the slip fit slidding on the chrome. Not sure if they are going to fix this in production or add it as an install step, but grinding off the chrome or sanding it down some will help the inner pipe grip the outter pipe and not slide around. When i have time, i'll do this, or even go as far as having it flanged, but for know, i just kick the tip over a 1/2" ... lol

The sound is simply awesome, no rice here AT ALL. Has a deep growl with ZERO buzz, rattle or rasp. At 3050rpm cruising at 70mph, all you hear is a faint growling hum. Under normal driving it's very tame, and once you spin her past 4000-4500rpm, the sound drastically goes down. It's meat and potatoes *sound* is between 2500rpm and 3500rpm.

The butt dyno says, yes, it's got a little extra go power now. Will get solid evidence of that later down the line, although now i'll have to rely on others' stock base line dynos.


http://www.mazdaracer.clubprotege.com/Mazda3/ARK/ARK_01.jpg

http://www.mazdaracer.clubprotege.com/Mazda3/ARK/ARK_02.jpg
http://www.mazdaracer.clubprotege.com/Mazda3/ARK/ARK_03.jpg
http://www.mazdaracer.clubprotege.com/Mazda3/ARK/ARK_04.jpg

http://www.mazdaracer.clubprotege.com/Mazda3/ARK/ARK_05.jpg

http://www.mazdaracer.clubprotege.com/Mazda3/ARK/EXH_tip_01.jpg

http://www.mazdaracer.clubprotege.com/Mazda3/ARK/EXH_tip_04.jpg

http://www.mazdaracer.clubprotege.com/Mazda3/ARK/EXH_tip_05.jpg

http://www.mazdaracer.clubprotege.com/Mazda3/ARK/EXH_tip_06.jpg

http://www.mazdaracer.clubprotege.com/Mazda3/ARK/EXH_tip_07.jpg

http://www.mazdaracer.clubprotege.com/Mazda3/ARK/EXH_02.jpg

http://www.mazdaracer.clubprotege.com/Mazda3/ARK/EXH_03.jpg
ND4MSP
09-24-2005, 01:28 PM
thats beautiful!
briand805
09-24-2005, 06:42 PM
is that 2 1/4 or 2 1/2 ?
Monkey_3
09-24-2005, 07:47 PM
Its 2 1/2. 65mm to be exact and tiny bit bigger then 2 1/2.

I see you also have a ark SS. How is that? Does it bend towards the driver or does it sit where the stock shifter is?
Solo2Protege
09-25-2005, 01:51 AM
yes, 2.5" diameter.

The ARK STS is straight up, no bend. Very good quality, hasn't given me any problems. (not that a shifter could give a long list of problems....lol)
Monkey_3
09-25-2005, 11:36 AM
The price for both those ARK items are pretty high. Maybe if theres lots of interest the price will come down. Have you posted this on mz3forums.com yet?
RHAGEL
09-25-2005, 06:51 PM
The exhaust looks awesome. Very nice quality.
Solo2Protege
09-27-2005, 03:01 AM
you get what you pay for and with ARK, thats quality. High quality.

yes, posted on M3F.
MrGone
09-27-2005, 10:28 AM
(bowdown)
Gambino
09-27-2005, 12:09 PM
that sits perfect. looks great
Solo2Protege
09-27-2005, 03:45 PM
Here are some pics from the install

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a369/ARKracing/1.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a369/ARKracing/1connection.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a369/ARKracing/under1.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a369/ARKracing/Picture005.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a369/ARKracing/under.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a369/ARKracing/tipside.jpg
MrGone
09-28-2005, 10:34 AM
Solo.. did you plan on putting up some sample sound files on how this great looking system sounds? (poke)
Solo2Protege
09-28-2005, 11:15 AM
ya, i plan on it, as soon as i find my portable recorder.
ARKRacing
10-10-2005, 09:09 PM
Here is sound clip : http://www.arkspeedracing.com/arkcmd/1403759/

______________ _____________ _____________

Please someone tell me who is forum admin? Thanks
jbass
10-10-2005, 10:42 PM
seems pretty nice!
ZoomVT
10-11-2005, 03:37 PM
Here is sound clip : http://www.arkspeedracing.com/arkcmd/1403759/

______________ _____________ _____________


Please someone tell me who is forum admin? Thanks

I think you are looking for Antoine.
I know you are not an authorized vendor yet but i was wondering how much was this kit going for?
dread
10-11-2005, 03:42 PM
it says 699 plus shipping on their site
ARKRacing
10-12-2005, 02:55 AM
I think you are looking for Antoine.
I know you are not an authorized vendor yet but i was wondering how much was this kit going for?

Yes . We have price of MSRP $699.00, but ARK user can define our quality and compare price for it. And good new is we have 1st batch coming Nov 09, 05. And I have one set for special sale price. $550.00 shipped USA.

Thanks (thumb)
dread
10-12-2005, 09:21 AM
That is a reasonable price, but I want to see the dyno's first
ZoomVT
10-12-2005, 10:20 AM
me too. thats very close to my bday and i have been shopping for one so if i like the dynos i may have to jump on it.
dread
10-12-2005, 01:05 PM
The exhaust definately looks amazing. Does it have a high-flow cat?
ARKRacing
10-13-2005, 02:00 AM
It is after cat. so it is cat-back system. Any one like to run our catback dyno? and we pay back your dyno runs. We have only one at this $550.00 shipped price. (thumb)
BC3I
10-13-2005, 03:40 AM
u may want to establish AV status before Antoine shuts it down...just given u a heads up
ARKRacing
10-14-2005, 02:09 AM
Antoine... Please contact me... Thanks
Antoine
10-14-2005, 04:26 AM
u may want to establish AV status before Antoine shuts it down...just given u a heads up

Look who's here ;) Good call...ARK must have AV status before doing business of ANY kind in this community.
Antoine
10-14-2005, 04:27 AM
Antoine... Please contact me... Thanks

Will do...Sending a PM your way :D
dread
10-14-2005, 11:12 AM
699 plus shipping is way to expensive for a cat-back considering all of the other options that are cheaper, include hi-flow cats and are dyno proven (e.g. Draxas and vibrant.
RHAGEL
10-14-2005, 11:40 AM
I agree, $699 is pretty expensive. I got an e-mail from a guy at Racing Beat and they have their exhaust and sway bars finished. Expect them out in the next month or so. No offense to ARK, your exhaust looks awesome, just don't expect to sell a lot at $700.
BC3I
10-14-2005, 11:46 AM
yea that is pretty high, considering that i can get a 3" turbo exhaust from the downpipe w/ a highflow cat SS mandrel bent from Thermal R&D for $900 installed
Antoine
10-17-2005, 12:56 AM
ARK has sent vendor info but has not completed the application process and therefore is NOT an Authorized Vendor at this time.

Thread closed until further notice...Thanks.