Modern Horsepower has proven itself to be a powerhouse among other Mercedes Benz & AMG tuners in recent history by adding another World Record to it’s belt. The world record was this time set in their project 2012 E63 AMG (M157 BiTurbo V8). The World’s Quickest M157 in MHP S2 trim ran the 60-130mph split in 7.71 seconds, defeating the previous M157 record holder at 7.99 seconds by a significant .28 seconds as certified and recorded on 6speedonline. Official 60-130mph List–the industry’s benchmark for credible and verifiable VBox data. For frame of reference that’s three hundreds of a second quicker than the Ferrari F458 that runs it in 7.74 seconds, despite it carrying 1100lbs less mass. Additional perspective can be provided by reviewing a few other notable times: Lamborghini LP640: 7.85 seconds, 2012 Nissan GT-R: 9.4 seconds, with Porsche’s Panamera TT, a direct competitor to the M157 BiTurbo E63, requiring 10.14 seconds to complete the same task.
Via the verified VBox submission you can also see that the MHP S2 E63 accelerated from 60-110 in 4.94 seconds, meaning the lightly modified sedan from Affalterbach was gaining over 1mph every tenth of a second, or over 10mph every second, during that 50mph spread.
MHP’s M157 endeavors began immediately after taking delivery of their non PP 2012 E63. Within the first two weeks of ownership and with MHP v3 CDT or software remapping alone, the car jumped from 487rwhp/495rwtq SAE on 93 octane using a Dyno Jet dynamometer, to an incredible 618rwhp/740rwtq SAE on the same 93 octane fuel—this also showing how highly underrated the factory BiTurbo V8s truly are. Making for gains of 131rwhp/245rwtq SAE, translated into crankshaft numbers the tune only gains are a market leading 160HP & 298lb/ft, totaling out at 753HP and 873lb/ft of torque utilizing stock air filters to boot.
MHP’s Stage 2 kit for M157 E63 and CLS63s includes replacing the entire factory exhaust from the twin turbos to the tips, creating an entirely new, more powerful and efficient 100% bolt-on exhaust. MHP’s solution to the restrictive four 500cpi catalytics and non-mandrel bent 2.75” tubing is a full 3” U.S. Stainless Steel design that includes standard V-Band clamped test pipes with optional 200cpi metallic substrate catalytic converters (owners can swap for track days in under 2 minutes), 3” 304 SS Tubing throughout, with X-Pipe, resonators, two choices in mufflers (Race & Street) and inert gas backpurged 316 TIG welds. Modern Horsepower President Andrew Cluck explained “ We (MHP) don’t view cutting and welding aftermarket downpipes and/or cat delete kits into the factory exhaust as a satisfactory solution for any vehicle, especially an AMG product. Optimal performance only comes from a clean-sheet redesign, anything less is more or less a band-aid.” MHP also plans to make a similar full exhaust in both Race and Street trims for the ML63 and its niche market of Uber-SUV performance junkies. As with all of MHP’s exhausts, both Race and Street systems carry a Lifetime Warranty on all parts and workmanship. MHPs 180F modified OEM thermostat and drop in air-filters top off the record setting S2 E63 package, and based on the 60-130 data and preliminary dynos MHP says to expect 640-650rwhp and 775-780rwtq SAE on 93 octane with S2 or S2+ M157 Packages. Again, translated into crankshaft numbers that equates to 786HP and 920lb/ft of torque on 93 octane from a true bolt-on package. Stage 3 with an anticipated release date of 10/1/12 will incorporate additional cooling modifications with Stage 4 cars bringing upgraded turbos, engine internals and transmission modifications to the table by the time SEMA rolls around.
MHP also announced it is just weeks from releasing the World’s first equal length, stepped longtube headers for the SLS AMG and upcoming SLS GT AMG. When Mr. Cluck was asked about their decision to go with such a complex header design he responded with the following: “While we find the single 1 7/8” primary diameter of our C63 coupe and Sedan Longtube Headers to be sufficient for the M156 series of engines, the amount of changes made to the M159/SLS engines necessitated and warranted a full on Race longtube header design.” Said improvements were explained to include huge OEM airflow improvements on the inlet side of the motor from the airboxes to the short runner velocity stack type intake manifold, and even +1mm larger exhaust valves with larger exhaust ports in the cylinder heads themselves. “By going with a stepped design we ensure that we achieve maximum horsepower and torque gains over as broad an rpm band as possible–we are highly confident in our design and are extremely excited to begin testing. Thankfully the SLS chassis affords us significantly more room under the car vs M156 variants, which allowed us to completely uncork what is unquestionably one of the, if not the, last of the great naturally aspirated V8s in the World.” MHP promises a custom high velocity cone/spike merge collector leading back via 3” 304 S.S. Tubing to an X pipe and resonators of the same diameter. “As always we look to make more safe horsepower and torque with similar modifications than our competitors, as proven at the track, via VBox and on the dyno. We’ll then jump to our Stage 3 & 4 development including hand ported cylinder heads and custom SLS specific grind billet rifle drilled 9310 camshafts, with an ultimate goal of 580-600rwhp naturally aspirated for the SLS and SLS GT AMG and future M159 variants.”
Modern Horsepower LLC is the holder of numerous Mercedes Benz & AMG World Records including: World’s Quickest & Fastest AMG—Keith Brantley, World’s Quickest & Fastest Naturally Aspirated Mercedes Benz & AMG–Mike Conforti, World’s Quickest & Fastest Tune Only M156 (C63)—Chris Roupas, World’s Quickest & Fastest Tune Only M275 (SL65)—MHP, World’s Most Powerful Tune Only M113 (E55K)—MHP, World’s Quickest M157 60-130mph (VBox Verified), just to name a few. Mr. Cluck states regarding present and future 2012+ M157 and SLS M159 AMG product offerings “The only way to ensure 100% product quality is to test, test, and then test some more. Having 100% access to both the E63 and SLS has and will continue to allow us to bring forth new and innovative products for these AMG variants, as we have with the M156 series of 63 AMGs.” Mr. Cluck closed in saying: “We look forward to setting new records in the ¼ mile and on the dyno with the S2 E63 and S2 SLS in the coming weeks. “ Modern Horsepower is still the only Mercedes Benz and AMG tuner in the World to manufacture camshafts and matched tuning for the M156 and M159 series of engines including grinds for naturally aspirated, supercharged, nitrous and custom applications. Photos shown are of Matthew Snider’s 2012 Cashmere White Designo E63 AMG that is currently being given the same tuning package as the one that set the record.
Keith Brantley’s 2009 C63 AMG has affectionately been dubbed the “Red Brown Arrow” by none other than AMG, Mercedes Benz own in-house tuning division. As anyone even vaguely familiar with the marque will attest that is not something to be taken lightly, then again not much is in Affalterbach, Germany.
A huge compliment indeed as in the world of Mercedes Benz, the “Silver Arrow” or “Arrow” designations have traditionally only been attached to MB’s dedicated and purpose built Formula 1 and Le Mans race cars dating back to 1954; those that tackled the likes of world renowned tracks such as Spa, Nurburgring, Le Mans, Silverstone, etc. The nickname bestowed upon Keith’s C63 is derived not only from its ultra rare Barolo Red paint but also because of its awe inspiring and often outright shocking on-track performances, much like the originals. After all, we’re talking about a sedan that’s beaten the mighty Corvette ZR-1 and a Porsche Carrera GT at the Top Gun Run standing mile event, trapping 180.73 naturally aspirated in the process.
On March 25th 2011 at M.I.R. in Mechanicsville, MD, with the help of driver Ben Scott and after running over a dozen 10 second naturally aspirated ¼ mile passes with a N/A best of 10.91@129.5mph, Keith’s MHP Stage 3 C63 once again raised the bar–only this time it was to the highest level the world has ever seen. On a 125HP shot of nitrous the Red Brown Arrow ran an all-time Mercedes Benz best of 10.41@135.27mph in the ¼ mile, with an 1/8th mile split of 6.77@105.56mph. On the same pass 0-60mph was achieved in a mere 3.04 seconds, 0-100mph was dispatched in 6.19 seconds and was accompanied by a 60-130mph time of 6.59 seconds—by comparison the mega dollar Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 needs a tortoise like 7.8 seconds to accomplish the same 60-130mph blast. Red Brown Arrow indeed.
Watch below for video of the Overall Mercedes Benz World Record ¼ Mile Pass on 125 shot, 10.41@135.27mph.
Modern Horsepower Racer Mike Conforti broke his own Record as the World’s Quickest and Fastest Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, as well as the Quickest and Fastest Naturally Aspirated Mercedes-Benz in history in his 2009 C63 AMG at Maryland International Raceway in Budds Creek, MD. Mike ran over seventeen 10 second quarter mile passes between 10.81-10.98 seconds at 131-132.45 mph before ripping off an incredible 10.78 seconds at 131.08mph on a 1.58 60′ without the help of nitrous oxide or a turbo or supercharger.
Mike also registered an eighth mile ET and Trap World Record of 6.95 seconds 101.67 mph on the same pass. Making these already incredible feats even more astonishing, was the fact that the density altitude (DA or calculated elevation including both actual elevation and weather data) was +1157’—typically in February at Maryland International Raceway the DA is in the -1000′ to -2000′ range making for quicker times and faster trap speeds due to cooler and denser air.
Mike’s list of modifications include MHP v4 CDT (Custom Race Spec ECU & TCU Remapping), MHP 1 7/8″ SS Longtube Headers with 3″ Midpipes, MHP 3″ SS Race Catback with X-pipe, MHP 180F Thermostat, MHP Thermal Gaskets, Lightweight Brake Rotors, a Carbon Fiber Hood, and Drag Radials. Mike’s C63 is presently making 630HP and 565lb/ft of Torque. When asked about his car’s performance despite the unseasonably warm weather Mike stated “We are very happy with the way the car ran pass after pass despite the April like weather. It really makes me wonder what the car is capable of in air more typical for this time of year. I think it might shock some people.” Mike also commented that “None of this would be possible without the help of Andy at Modern Horsepower, Craig at RPM North, and friend and fellow part time pro racer Hagi Djencic.”
Accompanying this tremendous achievement, MHP’s own project SL65 AMG ran an 11.26@128.30mph quarter mile, overcoming a not so hot 1.79 second 60′ in the process, making it the Quickest and Fastest Tune Only 65 AMG in the World, and also the Fastest SL65 in the World. This despite the only powertrain modifications being Complete Driveline Tuning via MHP v3 CDT (ECU & TCU Remapping), paired with aftermarket air filters and 18″ Drag Radials in +1249′ DA. Dyno results show the SL65 putting out an incredible 708HP and 989lb/ft of torque SAE on 93 octane. When asked about the SL65s track debut MHP President Andrew Cluck commented “If anything we were afraid of snow coming into the race so the weather definitely threw us for a loop. Taking that into consideration the car performed exactly as we thought it would despite it being our first time to the track with it. It will take us a few more passes to get the launch figured out, as any seasoned racer will tell you learning a car is not something that happens overnight. I believe we will run 10s@130mph+ with the modifications presently installed and a bit more seat time at the next event in March with the goal of taking the Overall SL65 AMG Record with just our ECU and TCU Tuning, Filters and Drag Radials.” Mr. Cluck went on to state “We have a solid game plan for modifying our SL65, initially consisting of redesigned and engineered air intakes and intercoolers, as well as freer flowing exhaust components. We will then move on to more extensive changes such as larger turbos to replace the small Bosch K24s turbos that come from the factory. Rest assured we will document increases in horsepower and torque at the track and on the dyno at every step along the way with the M275 V12, just as we have done with the M156 and M159 AMG V8s.”
The MHP Stage 1 Package for 65 AMG variants includes BMC air filters and MHP v3 CDT.
The following is a before and after Dyno Jet 248 Chassis dyno graph showing the differences in power and torque that MHPs potent ECU & TCU Tuning safely deliver over stock on 93 octane pump gas.
MHP SL65 AMG Tune Only Dyno Graph: 708HP & 989lb/ft of Torque on 93 Octane; gearheads take note, MHPs tune only SL65 AMG puts out 67lb/ft more twist than a 1.8M USD Bugatti Veyron (922lb/ft). All 989lb/ft are on tap by a mere 2800rpm and by 3700rpm the tuned 6.0L twin turbo V12 is already making 625HP.