Check Out This Wickedly-Wild Supercharged 6-Speed Manual-Swapped Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG
Canadian Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG came down to Georgia for manual-swap madness.
Georgia-based car fans Cameron Davis and Andy Sumner love Mercedes-Benz. So much so, in fact, that they dropped the dealership life in pursuit of building the ultimate “Enthusiasts’ Auto Shop” by founding DC MotorWerks in Alpharetta, Georgia. Now, that means they want to “say yes” to just about any unorthodoxly fun Mercedes-Benz project.
Something like, I don’t know, a manual-swapped, prefacelift W204 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG.
It’s not a rarity for DC MotorWerks to do something like this, either. The shop has been swapping manual transmissions into feisty Mercedes-Benz cars for a while. This W204 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG just so happens to be the last one. It’s an early W204 from the Canadian market packing the throaty 6.2-liter (badged as a 6.3) M156 engine.
But instead of leaving things naturally aspirated, this W204 got an ESS Tuning supercharger. That means manic supercharged whine over the barking bass of the M156. Oh, and power. Gobs of power.
It’s Not a ‘Show Build’— It’s a ‘Shop Build’
Cameron and Andy didn’t swap this car to win at competitive car shows. No. This W204 C 63 is all about fun. The six-speed manual is straight out of a donor European-spec diesel Mercedes-Benz W212 E-Class. In addition to the notchy six-speed, the crew installed an upgraded ceramic “puck” clutch to handle the punishment of the supercharged M156 engine.
And punishment it is; Cameron estimates the mill is producing around 700 or so horsepower. “The shifter and clutch feel are near-Porsche level good,” Cameron added as he drove the manual-swapped car. “’Cause that is kind of the benchmark for everyone.”
That said, the team is a bit obsessed with keeping up an OEM appearance. Factory trim and an original Mercedes-Benz shifter give the six-speed swap a factory-original look. But it is a build, after all.
Upgrades and modifications include a carbon fiber airbox, an exhaust system with an X-pipe and titanium Meisterschaft mufflers, a limited-slip differential, an oil catch can, and adjustable KW springs and shocks. If that wasn’t enough, there’s also gold foil under the hood and a set of Ferrari F430 seats. Because, you know, why not?
Check out the full video for yourself below!
Photos: DC MotorWerks via YouTube
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