Price Aside...Stillen vs ARK Exhaust

[camdynasty9]

IF you could choose without price being the determining factor...which would you run with the Still Cat Exhaust System or the ARK Performance Grip Exhaust?

[camdynasty9]

http://www.arkperformance.com/ARK-GRiP- ... -0211g.htm
OR
https://www.stillen.com/stillen-2011-20 ... i-m37.html

[twostep361]

ark forsure!

idk they had it out yet,i have the q70L I'm not sure if they have the L model or the picture is incorrect.

[camdynasty9]

ark forsure!

idk they had it out yet,i have the q70L I'm not sure if they have the L model or the picture is incorrect.

I have been researching it for a while but there are limited videos on both installed and the sounds are similar with different variables that make it hard to judge (i.e. different cell phones, weather, biased audio, etc.)

[DoN_BLaZe34]

Ark by far

[wideopn11]

I love my Stillen exhaust. but it looks like the Arc has an extra Y pipe that Stillen does not. Could justify the extra cost. Also Stillen will pass emissions, Arc says off road use only...just something to consider if it matters to you.

[mikedamageinc]

ARK definitely has a better sales pitch, makes it feel like its higher quality. Also like it was said, it has the extra part in front that may be good for a couple of ponies. If you are on a budget, get the Stillen, if you want max potential, get the ARK (that is if sound has not already tilted it to one side).Most companies state "off road use only" for anything just for liability so I wouldn't worry about it unless someone lives in commiefornia

[k67p67]

I doubt ARK has a version for the Q70L. Judging from all the Stillen cat-back exhausts I've heard (several different models but not the M37/Q70), the ARK is louder and has a deeper tone throughout the RPM range. I had to modify my ARK slightly to get it to sit higher. I'm sure that is due to my ride height.

[CRV_33]

ark forsure!

idk they had it out yet,i have the q70L I'm not sure if they have the L model or the picture is incorrect.

Are you located in socal by any chance? If you do, you can email the following and inquire: [email protected]

I love my Stillen exhaust. but it looks like the Arc has an extra Y pipe that Stillen does not. Could justify the extra cost. Also Stillen will pass emissions, Arc says off road use only...just something to consider if it matters to you.

Yep the Ark exhaust bolts up right behind the catalytic converter. Stillen's starts further down the exhaust after the flange that leads into the mid pipe.

[beachbum718]

Stillen...8hp for 1600 bucks.why spend more when stillen does the same thing.and is a quality part as well.600 bucks extra in your pocket .also no drone with stillen.with that extra pipe ark has and the cross pipe.there has to be drone.is there any proof of no drone? Cuz drone is awful.price aside i know.but thats a hefty price for pretty much the same results.

[reggiebrown40]

Agrees with the last post. I have the Stillen installed on my M56 and it sounds great with no drone and a lifetime warranty. Ark has a 1 year warranty and costs 600 bucks more when on sale. From the looks it appears as though the HP and TQ gains are very similar, unless I'm reading it wrong. I'm curious -- previous posts have chose Ark but haven't said why. Why would you chose Ark over Stillen? I don't see any performance gains and the only person that will know that the exhaust looks good is you and your installer.

[camdynasty9]

Agrees with the last post. I have the Stillen installed on my M56 and it sounds great with no drone and a lifetime warranty. Ark has a 1 year warranty and costs 600 bucks more when on sale. From the looks it appears as though the HP and TQ gains are very similar, unless I'm reading it wrong. I'm curious -- previous posts have chose Ark but haven't said why. Why would you chose Ark over Stillen? I don't see any performance gains and the only person that will know that the exhaust looks good is you and your installer.

That is exactly what I am trying to figure out and youtube is no help at all because of the sound bias and the very few people that own either and are willing to post about it...

[JCesar]

I love my setup. Invida hfc'S, full Stillen system and Takeda intakes

no drone and at normal speeds it's just as quiet as oem. yeah, i'm not happy about the fact that they don't give you a y pipe but i'm sure they had a reason.

ARK does look good but way too much more plus one thing that I can already see that I wouldn't like on that one. no backfire sounds. "yeah, call me weird" but my current setup does some from time to time that make it sound even better lol even with the factory y pipe on

[M37xNY2ATL]

Ark is 2.5 inch with a y pipe. Which means you're taking away restrictions in the stock y. The overall goal is to open all air flow (intake,manifold upgrade,hfc's & exhaust) then Uprev tune the car for peak performance. Neither will drone. NOW the problem with Stillen is that your stock y pipe is 2", then the stillen cbe is 2.3 which is not a even flow regardless of sound. HFC's are 2.5 inch soooo U have a intake, then 2.5 inch hfc's, to a RESTRICTED y pipe(2"), then back to 2.3 inch Stillen. The Ark being ALL 2.5 inch y pipe included, makes cleaner power by matching your HFC's with no stock restrictions. Its wide open, which is the goal for power.

[beachbum718]

So your saying the extra 600 bucks is for a dopey ark y pipe that will give you maybe 1hp more if that.over the stock front y pipe.makes no sense at all..5 inches is not making your car that much faster.lets makes some sense now.my car next to the same car with ark exhaust. Will be exactly the same in performance.

[JCesar]

Ark is 2.5 inch with a y pipe. Which means you're taking away restrictions in the stock y. The overall goal is to open all air flow (intake,manifold upgrade,hfc's & exhaust) then Uprev tune the car for peak performance. Neither will drone. NOW the problem with Stillen is that your stock y pipe is 2", then the stillen cbe is 2.3 which is not a even flow regardless of sound. HFC's are 2.5 inch soooo U have a intake, then 2.5 inch hfc's, to a RESTRICTED y pipe(2"), then back to 2.3 inch Stillen. The Ark being ALL 2.5 inch y pipe included, makes cleaner power by matching your HFC's with no stock restrictions. Its wide open, which is the goal for power.

yeah, but you also need to remember that this was one of the only options "the only option for direct bolt-on" or going custom

the ark system isn't even out so all of us that wanted a direct bolt-on system got Stillen. talk to every single one that got it and they will all just like me will tell you. its a good system that makes the car sound great

[M37xNY2ATL]

Some care, some dont. Post said price aside, so Im just stating the facts. Stillen is great, i had it on my last m37. Cars a boat, wont matter much either way. But overall Ark is better also because its a true dual cat back (y pipe 2 x pipe). Design is MILES ahead of Stillen fam. If the 600 is a stretch, go stillen.

[reggiebrown40]

Just curious M37xNY2ATL, have you ever run an ARK exhaust? If yes, what car?

I'm asking because there are so many factors determine how an exhaust performs. Even on the ARK site they say it only gets UP TO 9HP and 8ft lbs of torque. Y pipe or not there seems to be no difference in output between the two mufflers.

[M37xNY2ATL]

No this will be my 1st Ark. I was recommended to wait on the Ark by my guys at Z1 where i bought the intake manifold(VQ gurus). Ive previously ran Motordyne's 2.5 y back on my g37 (which is same platform for us vq37vhr guys) With my mods r2c intake, intake manifold, hfcs & Ark grip this would give me max potential once i go in for my Uprev tune. My buddy with all the same parts on g37 7AT is getting about 315rwhp after tune. Long tube headers will add about 20whp more (next mod to replace stock headers & HFC's). The VQ is known for being very restricted on the airflow & exhaust. Reggie you have a 56, u most definitely should be custom exhaust. Let that 56 breath. With all ive spent i shoulda jus got the 56 & started with 400hp lololol. Anyone already invested in Stillen, Motordyne has a y-pipe that can be added for about 4-500$.

[JCesar]

Anyone already invested in Stillen, Motordyne has a y-pipe that can be added for about 4-500$.

can you post a link of that y pipe that works for our cars please

[Seubertm37x]

I have been researching it for a while but there are limited videos on both installed and the sounds are similar with different variables that make it hard to judge (i.e. different cell phones, weather, biased audio, etc.)

I had the Stillen axel back installed, now I have the ark grip cat back, I have videos of start up and revs from both exhaust taken on the same phone I can try and get those videos up when I get bac to my pc later tonight if anyone's interested

[reggiebrown40]

I'd like to hear the audio, but this is not a fair comparison, axle-back vs. cat-back.

[camdynasty9]

I have been researching it for a while but there are limited videos on both installed and the sounds are similar with different variables that make it hard to judge (i.e. different cell phones, weather, biased audio, etc.)

I had the Stillen axel back installed, now I have the ark grip cat back, I have videos of start up and revs from both exhaust taken on the same phone I can try and get those videos up when I get bac to my pc later tonight if anyone's interested

I am definitely interested...thank you in advance!!!

[Seubertm37x]

I understand my stillen was just an axle back and the ark is now a cat back. However, maybe these videos can still help someone with their decision down the line. All videos were recorded on the same phone
stillen startup,

http://www.facebook.com/eric.seubert.9/ ... 9904529128

ark startup - http://www.facebook.com/eric.seubert.9/ ... 5033592428

stillen revs - http://www.facebook.com/eric.seubert.9/ ... 2212943580

ark revs - http://www.facebook.com/eric.seubert.9/ ... 9429660557

ark drive off - http://www.facebook.com/eric.seubert.9/ ... 9851324847

[Ilya]

Seubert, your videos don't work. I did clean up the post to make it a bit easier on the eyes, but the links are dead or we're not allowed to see them due to privacy settings.

[Seubertm37x]

Seubert, your videos don't work. I did clean up the post to make it a bit easier on the eyes, but the links are dead or we're not allowed to see them due to privacy settings.

Thanks for the clean up, I updated my privacy settings maybe they're working now

[Ilya]

Yes they work now.

[camdynasty9]

I understand my stillen was just an axle back and the ark is now a cat back. However, maybe these videos can still help someone with their decision down the line. All videos were recorded on the same phone
stillen startup,

http://www.facebook.com/eric.seubert.9/ ... 9904529128

ark startup - http://www.facebook.com/eric.seubert.9/ ... 5033592428

stillen revs - http://www.facebook.com/eric.seubert.9/ ... 2212943580

ark revs - http://www.facebook.com/eric.seubert.9/ ... 9429660557

ark drive off - http://www.facebook.com/eric.seubert.9/ ... 9851324847

that's awesome..thanks for the video comparison...I think I am close to sold on the ARK!

[Kboakye87]

Bringing this thread back to life. After hearing those FB clips, I'm definitely going with the full Ark exhaust! Sounds badass!

[austin713]

i had an exhaust shop cut off the stock catback at the flanges, weld in a $50 stamped x pipe connected to 2 18" vibrant resonators out through 2 magnaflow mufflers. everything is running through 2.25 piping. all in all i spent around $600 for something that sounds exactly the same if not better.