ARK GRiP versus Borla

Which cat-back exhaust do you prefer for the FX50?

  • ARK GRiP

    Votes: 2 66.7%

  • Borla

    Votes: 1 33.3%
  • Total voters
    3
  • Poll closed .
Sean Roberts

Sean Roberts

Member
Car
2013 FX50S
Hey fellas,

I'm in the market to purchase a cat-back exhaust for my 2013 FX50s this week and I've narrowed it down to 2 possible options:

1. ARK GRiP
  • ~$1,800
  • 2.5" piping
  • Dual mufflers/tips
2. Borla
  • ~$1,000
  • 2.25" piping
  • Single muffler w/dual tips
I've searched and read thru various threads and watched several video clips sampling both exhausts. From as near as I can tell, both exhausts sound nearly identical - nice, deep and throaty, without any raspiness. I found a few examples where the ARK exhaust had fitment issues, but fit & finish largely appears to be comparable to the Borla setup.

Really just looking for real-world feedback from members who have first-hand experience with either exhaust. Is there anything additional I need to consider before purchasing either exhaust? Is the ARK setup worth the additional $800 investment? This is my daily driver, and the only plans for it are the cat-back exhaust and maybe resonated test pipes. I'd love to get a nice tune afterwards, but I may start another thread pertaining to that topic.

Thanks in advance for any helpful feedback.

-Sean
 
Considering the reality that you'll get zero power from a catback, the ark exhaust would have to sound unbelievable to justify the expenditure for me, but that's me. Borla always makes a great product and so does Invidia.
Before getting a catback, I'd recommend going the test-pipe or high flow cat route 1st which will release some locked up power and in turn give a more aggressive exhaust note, then go from there.
 
I'm also in the market for a new exhaust as well.

From my personal opinion i think the Borla exhausts sound better on a V8 engine, but as for the V6 it looks like the ARK is the way to go.
 
I will go with the ARK, It sound good and you will get some HP. Event More if you do a tune.
 
If you get the exhaust, get a dyno before and after on the same dyno prior to tuning making sure SAE corrections are in place. Claimed power gained from a cat-back is smoke and mirrors at lower power levels.
 
So I bit the bullet and ordered the ARK setup. Hoping that I'll be happy with the decision once it's installed.

Also, I would love a tune/ECU reprogram, but I didn't think anyone made software compatible with the FX50? Last few threads I found seemed to indicate that Uprev no longer supported the FX50 platform. Are there other alternatives I'm not aware of?
 
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Sean Roberts said:
So I bit the bullet and ordered the ARK setup. Hoping that I'll be happy with the decision once it's installed.

Also, I would love a tune/ECU reprogram, but I didn't think anyone made software compatible with the FX50? Last few threads I found seemed to indicate that Uprev no longer supported the FX50 platform. Are there other alternatives I'm not aware of?
Click to expand...

Where did you order your ARK exhaust from?
 
I dont see the fx50 exhaust listed on arks website, they just have the fx37. I wonder if they discontinued it.
 

That’s not too bad for a box that size. Cost me $175 in shipping for mine. Local UPS store quoted me $300 to ship it back to the west coast for a personal sale.
 
Regarding the FX50 application of the ARK GRiP exhaust, it took me a little while to find a place that actually had it in stock. Most sites would have the application listed, but when I inquired about availability, the response was that it was backordered/discontinued by the manufacturer. This may not be true for the 3.7 application, but this was my experience while hunting for the 5.0 system.

As far as whether or not I like it? I love it. Not too loud, nor does it drone during highway usage. The polished mufflers and tips also look very menacing from behind the vehicle. My only complaint (and it's a big one) is that there is a very noticeable vibration coming from the driver's side of the vehicle. The vibration only occurs when the vehicle is in drive and between 700-800 rpms. Which I know doesn't sound like a big deal, but that's essentially every time I come to a stop and the car is idling.

The dealership said the vibration is being caused by the flex pipe on the driver side rubbing against the frame of the car.

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This is not something I'm able to live with, so I will likely take the vehicle to an exhaust specialist to see if either the flex pipe can be modified to not rub against the frame or if the frame can be modified to not hit the flex pipe. Open to suggestions from the forum here.

Thanks,
Sean
 
My ARK occasionally hit a heat shield, so I notched a piece out and all was good. I imagine a decent exhaust specialist could adapt your system. Not sure what they’d charge though... can’t imagine it would be too much.
 
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