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It does seem rather expensive. Any idea why bolts cost so much? Does the $1600 include the lifters?
No, these are for the bolts only. The Black Series Lifters were another $2,000 by themselves. But my Mercedes master tech said these ARP bolts were worth the wait due to and according to Weistec:
ARP Studs: 260,000psi Tensile strength, 255.000 psi Yield Strength, improved head to block connection eliminating leaks, will never stretch or corrode.
ARP Cam Cap Bolts: The Bolt Set benefits from a significant increase in material strength over OEM. This allows for increased clamping forces on the M156 engine’s cam caps, inevitably putting an end to stress on your engine’s valvetrain.
ARP Phaser Bolts: Manufactured by ARP to be twice as strong as the factory camshaft phaser bolts. With the Weistec M156 Camshaft Phaser Bolts, the phasers can be bolted to the camshafts with significantly increased clamping force ensuring that they will never spin out of proper installed position.
Just to do the lifters and replace all the bolts is about 25-30 hours labour as the engine needs to come out. So after all is said and done, I am looking at about $6000 USD installed. Of course at the same time, tech will replace head gaskets, spark plugs, all fluids etc. Another $1,000 in parts in addition to the bolts and lifters. Along with my Brembo brakes/21" wheels+tires/resonator delete etc., I think I have spent just around USD$25,000 on top of the car itself. Way too much lol.
My only consolation to the money spent is a bulletproof M156 motor that should never fail / explode / implode and last a hundred thousand miles without issues.
Thanks for the explanation. Do you have the part numbers for all of this? I would really appreciate it if you could make that available. Did you buy everything directly from Weistec?
Yup, just waiting for additional parts like the updated valve springs took 2 weeks.
While we were there, we also replaced the engine mounts, oil pan, and a few other and ends.
Camshafts had no wear, though there was some minor scuffing of the stock buckets but the Black Series replacements will solve that.
Despite the low mileage, a few head bolts showed some corrosion so in my case, the ARP studs was a good idea. No impending failure but in another 20-30,000km, could become an issue.
Just learned about you and your R63 via a current R63 BaT auction (10/11/2020). You have done such an awesome 'refurbishment/enhancement' of your low-mile R63 that I hope you will place it for auction on BaT in the future...you know, when you're looking for a new automotive adventure. (Although, my sense is that your R63 is a 'keeper' forever! It would be for me. too!) Best wishes for continued awesome M-B AMG motoring! Cheers!!!
Thanks dude! Yes, this R63 is a keeper for sure and a labour of love. Most people will never understand this car or why there is such a cult following behind it......but for enthusiasts like us who know, KNOW 😉.
If I ever do sell the R63, it’ll be on BAT for sure.
That’s great!! Lots of things to look out for on a 14 year old R63. I assume you’ve read my threads so getting an R63/M156 early iteration back to top working order for longevity is a work of passion. Here’s a YouTube video on my car in case you haven’t already seen it...
That’s great!! Lots of things to look out for on a 14 year old R63. I assume you’ve read my threads so getting an R63/M156 early iteration back to top working order for longevity is a work of passion. Here’s a YouTube video on my car in case you haven’t already seen it...
Mine is relatively high mileage but ... let’s just say it’s a pretty famous one in this small group, so pretty much all work on the engine that could have been done, has been done. So I’m optimistic that the stuff that will catastrophically explode on me (as a German muscle car is wont to do) won’t be cheap, at least hopefully will be a little bit better accessible.
Where did you source the resonator delete from, and how loud did it get?
A local shop here did the job for me. Make sure any shop you choose uses TIG welding and same diameter stainless steel pipes.
Also ensure they reattach the support (3rd pic). At first they did not and I was chasing a weird resonance. Once they welded back the supports, the resonance was gone.
Definitely louder but not obnoxious. In the Youtube video, the resonator delete is already done.
1991 MB 300TE-24, 1996 BMW 318is, 1998 BMW M3, 2007 MB R63, 2008 Renault Kangoo
Hehe, yeah I know, from the topgear. Just messing with this stuff but didn't know they were the stigs thought they might have been.
Thanks for the link. I had been wondering where to get them.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
Super R63!!!
