A lightly modded Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG turns in an impressive effort against Pontiac’s last muscle car.
The 2003 Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG was an impressive performance machine when it hit the market nearly 15 years ago. The 3.2L supercharged V6 delivered 349 horsepower and 332lb-ft of torque, making for one quick little luxury sedan in stock form. However, when compared to the likes of the LS2-powrered Pontiac GTO, with 400 horsepower and 400lb-ft of torque, it seems like the C32 would have a tough time knocking off the last of the Pontiac muscle cars.
Fortunately, as the videos here show, adding some simple modifications to the 2003 Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG makes a big difference.
Modded C32 VS Modded GTO
These videos come from the YouTube channel of twojzsc3 and they were originally posted in the Kill Stories section by MBWorld member aho. In these clips, aho is piloting his 2003 C32 AMG against an LS2 GTO, making a few runs in each video with mixed results.
In the first video (above), the C32 AMG has a Code3 pulley, a Code3 intake, a secondary cat delete and a resonator delete. We would guess that it has also been tuned to make the most of the added boost and improved exhaust flow. The LS2 GTO is stock, with the exception of a muffler delete, so it is likely making near-stock power while the Benz is likely making well over stock numbers.
On the first run from 40, the C32 jumps into the lead as the race begins and slowly walks away. On the second run, the GTO gets out to a bit of a lead, but the Mercedes closes the gap and passes for the win.
More Mods for the GTO
In the second video, the AMG sedan has the same modifications, but the GTO has added a cold air intake and a ported intake manifold. It seems likely that the GTO owner would have had the car tuned when he added the ported manifold, but in any case, the Pontiac is clearly making a little more than stock power for the second batch of races.
The C32 takes the win in the first race and leads early in the second, but the beefier GTO is able to take two out of three wins in this second race – showing how much of a difference the intake mods make on the LS2.
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