EddieNel

I’m looking at a low mileage GTS. I called a performance shop that specializes in exotics. The guy said that a down pipe and sending the stock turbos to Pure and upgrading to their 900 turbo would get me close to 800whp. I spoke with another guy who is a big Supra fan said he has heard nothing but bad about the modified Mercedes cars having problems but he didn’t really elaborate. The GTS would definitely be more expensive but he is really pushing the Supra for the same money being more reliable and a faster car. I’m very much torn between the two. I’ve owned several BMW’s and an E350 but I’ve never even sat in or driven a Supra. Any thoughts on the above? What do you think about an 800 HP 4 liter twin turbo? Am I asking for trouble and a lot of maintenance?

cdk4219

800whp is certainly not going to get you less maintenance. At that power level, it’s not maintenance, but breakage that you will encounter. Nothing on that car was designed to deal with doubling the power of the engine. Not saying it won’t work, but the lifespan of many parts will be much shorter.

EddieNel

I kinda figured that. One of the performance shops in Dallas talked like it was no big deal. Another shop stated tranny upgrades and rear end upgrades as well. Maybe 800 isn’t realistic for a daily driver.

GTConn

If you're wanting something beyond Mopar, etc that you can add some serious power to, have you considered a Porsche Turbo or Turbo S? Those things can handle monster power and still be reliable.

They tested the PDK on a 2014 Turbo S by launching it 50 times as a sort of anniversary stunt or something. Not a single issue. They could have kept going.

Eyeman89

From what I remember from Stenzel (among the most knowledgeable posters on this forum), the GTC and GTR, etc have the upgraded engine like they use in the Black (more forged engine parts, run lower compression,etc). If I planned to go beyond 650 hp I'd try to find a good deal on a GTC. Otherwise sounds like a good idea to me, I think the GT platform is a great platform to be able to handle modifications. You should be able to pretty copy the Black if you didn't want to go with aftermarket stuff.

JSwan724

There is NO WAY you can replicate the Black motor. Among many other additions the Black has a flat plane crank. When you have a chance, read up on both platforms and you’ll see why it isn’t possible.

Go to Weistec or Renntech for one of their proven packages and you’ll be happy.

Good luck.

MalibuScott

800 HP may be too much for the street? Ya think???

(This is some of that "poor feedback." I admit it in advance. But unless this guy drives on the Autobahn and has a few years' experience and a professional racer, I don't want to be on the same continent with him wheeling around 800 HP.)

EddieNel

I have a lot of reading to do. I don’t want to buy something and feel like I settled. 800 HP is a ballpark number I’m shooting for but not a necessity. I have owned and driven several 600 HP cars and had a super charged Denali truck. 600 was definitely fun just want to have a little extra if I do any of the 1/2 mile drag races.

shaladdin

LOL Oh boy, that was a good chuckle.

To OP: I have a stage 2 tune and set up on my GTR and, while only use the car to track, even that much power (far less than 800hp) is hard to use reliably with RWD. My advice is to go with a different car if you're chasing power and speed; you'll honestly have a better time modding a Nissan GTR for that purpose. For what it's worth, my original plan was the get the GT R built to the same numbers you're looking for, but decided to stop at stage 2 and get a manual MK5 Supra for that purpose. The modding community, part availability, and price seem much more conducive to chasing ponies on the Supra than on the AMG.

ChrisHimself

uh you will break stuff trying to DD it at 800hp, it's just physics. The brakes are definitely enough, the diffs, ball joints, and the fluids might not like being pushed that hard so at the minimum you'll just have to shorten certain intervals but 800hp is possible. You also don't want certain items breaking on these cars. A diff or transmission will be a particularly miserable experience. If you're after just a tune from Weistec or something you're gonna be ok all day, but once you start going big turbos you're going to keep an eye on things.

800hp anything is really expensive, but I mean I'd rather have an 800hp Shelby or Z06 than an AMG. A 577hp AMG is a far better experiance than either. Unless you have a specific need to hunt down hypercars that will still weigh less than you by 1000+ lbs theres not much out there that can take on a tuned AMG car with tasteful mods.

EddieNel

You guys are awesome. I’m really paying attention to what I’m seeing here. I agree with having to maintain an 800 HP car or just enjoy a tuned AMG. The Supra is still on the list. I just told my wife it really doesn’t matter what car it is as long as I like it and want to keep it. I need to test drive both cars and see what I like.

ChrisHimself

how low mileage we talkin about I'm actually interested in selling mine and going to an M157 E63, which is backwards

Hetzle

I just noticed Renntech now offers a 4yr/50k drivetrain warranty for cars modified with their packages. They only reach ~720 bhp but that would be all I need for a daily/occasional track car.

EddieNel

What ya got? Give me some details. I’m still very much undecided but also been super busy with work and the 4th so I havnt had time to go look at any cars.

Skilly

Honestly, not clear to me what you would get for 800hp in a GTS. Its 2WD so applying it to the road will be impossible to do.

The GT class, even with its pinnacle Black Series, aren't designed for brute force pulls off the line. Sub 3 sec launches is not why someone gets this car...track it, and you learn why. That is where these things shine. There are some great options from tuners to get there in HP range, but you will pay $50K do dial it all in with Turbos, tune, DPs and exhaust and it would still struggle with a sub 3 sec launch - nanny mode comes on even with a stage 1 set up! And track performance improvements would be moderate unless you start considering aero and weight drops. I know you didn't call out launch specifically Im guessing there is some sort of objective in beefing it up to that level of HP.

If you want bragging rights or a 1/4 mile killer there are better choices (hint AWD platforms). If you want a highly capable track car that will daily drive, you're in the right place.

G. P

Words of wisdom. Nicely put.

Hey Skilly, did you have a chance to track the 720S? any comparison points vs the GTR?

boosted20v

Skilly is on point, in addition to what he said, at the end of the day what do you want to do with the car and what kind of driving do you enjoy. Want something a little more exclusive/rare that is great on a track or a windy road, then the GT is a great choice. Otherwise there are plenty of better options. As also mentioned I can't imagine you wouldn't be satisfied with a stage II GT which will put you around the 700 hp range with just a tune and DP's. My Stage 1 tuned C63 walked away from a tuned Supra above triple digits and my Stage I tuned GT is quicker than the C63 was. Go drive em and your answer will come to you.

JSwan724

You missed an opportunity;

7k-Mile 2019 Mercedes-AMG GT R for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $155,000 on July 5, 2023 (Lot #112,558) | Bring a Trailer

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...es-amg-gt-r-2/

Maybe there will be another.

EddieNel

Just a tad above my budget. Looking more GTS used price. $80ish.

AMG 17GT

Don’t want to be assuming, but how old are you ?

G. P

?

torquecraz

Hi,
please listen to what happened to me before you mod ur car. mine is a 2015 GTS and tuned the car to stage 2. remap the ecu, bmc filter, catless downpipe, full custom exhaust system. results 562whp - 665hp/779nm torque. after a month driving it the car was misfiring. so took it to the mechanic and diagnose the car and the fault code P036600 related to engine timing and position of camshaft for cylinder bank 1 has malfunction. another fault code P001764 position camshaft cylinder bank 1 is implausible relative to the position of crankshaft. mechanic says have to drop the engine and open the valve cover. so they did and found out the camshaft adjuster have twisted. have to replace all 4 camshaft adjusters. how did this happen? according to the mechanic the torque was to much that the camshaft adjuster twisted. cost estimate plus labour USD6500. for those of you have not seen a camshaft adjuster the 1st picture below shows it.




to cut the story short dont mod ur gts or maybe im just the unlucky ones or maybe the remap torque was to much. the camshaft adjuster could not take the extra torque. u want to mod a car get a nissan gtr.

EddieNel

@torquecraz I do appreciate the pictures and you sharing your experience. Reading a lot about these cars and others I’m still undecided. I’m not sure what route to go but 800 HP is not reasonable for a daily driver. I’m wanting to do a couple of half mile races and I need to decide if I’m wanting a weekend fun car or a drag car. The more HP the more maintenance and less drivability of the car so what’s that happy medium? I’ve driven several fun reliable 600 ish HP cars but never drag raced with them.

How’s your car doing now? Are you still modded? Since you had to go into the engine did you upgrade anything else?

ChrisHimself

if you're doing a half mile you need to get an S550 mustang with a mahle pistons, eagle rods, Hellion twin turbo kit on drag radials and you'll be doing teardowns about every couple seasons. C6 vette with a built shortblock, heads cam and procharger will do it too.
GTS at these prices are for if you're a Porsche contrarian and you want a less proven engine/transmission combination

torquecraz

the car is still in the workshop waiting for parts to arrive. im not going to upgrade internally to avoid more issues.