I'm sure this was discussed previously, but I don't see it in recent posts, and it bears repeating - the M156 will most surely be the highest output naturally aspired production V8 EVER.
It is the highest output - in the AMG SLS and c63 507/Black Series - and it's highly unlikely to be topped, since everyone's going to turbos.
The new Mustang is supposed to have just over 500 hp, so we'll see what it actually does when it comes out.

For this reason, and others, the M156 will be a future classic!

I'm proud to soon be the owner of one.

nice 507

I'm pretty sure it will be topped by the next gen base Corvette.

Mustang GT350R makes more than 500+ hp and it's NA. They are reaching that number with a 5.2 liter motor.

#458speciale

It has like 597hp?

Also, the SLS is the M159...

Show me a stock M156 that makes that. Only the M159 in the SLS BS makes more. And it's not more hp/liter for sure. The M156 is a great motor but it's not the highest NA hp V8 ever.

If you're referring to the 2016 GT350, Ford has just said "more than 500 hp", they haven't disclosed how much. So no, it doesn't beat the Benz yet.

You're right, sorry.
But let's add 4 seats to that and the M156 tops the list!!

There was 1 M156 that could probably top 597 hp but sadly that car no longer exists. Dads car had some serious work done to it. I remember seeing dyno vids of something like 500 whp NA and 700ish whp on spray.

lol it's a great motor, but let's not get carried away. My car will be here tommorow!!! stoked.

The M159 BS is the highest output naturally aspirated production V8 and yes, there is a 99% chance that will stand for all time.

Ferrari's 4.5 Speciale is the highest hp/l of any naturally aspirated production engine, V8 or otherwise.

When you look at it via hp/L... The M156 is a slouch. Heck, my M3 makes 420hp in 4L

Why does it matter if you m3 makes more hp per liter? How about HP per Pound (engine weight). AMG engineers built a motor that's more powerful then the s65 m3 V8, much more torque, extracted another 2.2 liters, and is stronger from a lump of metal that's lighter. That's more impressive engineering then a silly HP/Liter metric their is no restriction like a race class manufactures can build any displacement they want.


M156 6.2L - 439 Pounds
S65 4.0L - 450 Pounds

It doesn't matter at all, lol. I've owned 2 M3's and a C63, I just prefer the M cars.

Cool I Haven't owned an M car yet only a 4.4tt V8 X6 but I was very close to getting the e92 m3 before the c63 but a few test drives changed my mind its all personal preference. I just think HP/Liter isn't the best measurement. A LS7 weighs in at 430 pounds and can make some silly power N/A and I don't think anything should be taken away from it because its got big displacement (7.0Liters) considering how light and small (engine size) it is. I think HP per Pound of engine weight is a better comparison of engineering

5.0TT? What? 4.4TT man. N63/TU. 50i doesn't designated 5L, BMW ditched that notation a few generations ago.

Yes I edited that 2 minutes after I posted I combined the 50i and the motor but realized it didn't come out right I'm very aware of the motor that was in my car lol It was the n63 (before Tu revision) with a RDSports ECU flash and lowering springs + filters/carbon delete the motor would eat a quart of oil every 5K miles. The X6M was also a 4.4tt V8 so I was trying to say I had the 50i TT v8 (n63) not the s63

You're talking to a guy who works on Bimmers and Mercs all day, you wont confuse me, haha.

You see the N63 mass-recall? Yikes.

Hehe sorry I try not to get to technical here as the majority of the crowd isn't up to speed on these things if you haven't already noticed.
Bimmer forums have much more information with technical discussions I've almost stopped checking the forums here besides a few knowledgeable members its " New Mod - Red Carbon Fiber Stop/Start Button installed" threads.


I haven't seen the recall yet will take a look for it now. Glad I got rid of that car was starting to become a headache and my mod choice at the time was amateur at best.

The m159 in the SLS Black Series makes more power (622HP) then the 458 Speciale and is currently the most powerful N/A v8 ever produced. Will probably stay this way with all cars including the 458's successor the 488 GTB going to turbos.


The speciale is actually #3 on the list because the N/A V8 in the 918 Spyder produces 608HP vs the 597HP in the 458 speciale

Sucks that NA engines are going out... I wish I was this age in the 70's.

I am not sure 458 speciale will handle 100K+ mileage compare to m156/159 engines ,

N/A engines from Mers is really reliable in my opinion

Nailed it /Thread!

The Apple doesn't fall far... N54... HPFP, case in point.