Always [ Slowly ] Modifying AMGs
So the mod bug has kicked in [ hard ]. You got your feet wet in the ownership of big high strung, high horsepower, highly luxurious European segment of the automotive world and selected the best [ AMG ] of the lot!
In the very least you are now researching what steps to take and we are happy to get your attention! Stage I, II, III? 10?! What does it all mean? Everyone is after your hard earned cash and in the world of customization comes the untold Trifecta of Balance that is, (1) Power, (2) Affordability, and (3) Reliability!
As any experienced garage will know and recommend you can have any of the two, never all three in full.
Stage I modifications usually attempt to maintain the tame nature, if you can call an AMG that, of the stock machine. It maintains all the dynamics of the stock car while adding a touch of power, and in our case, more reliability! Every company will run their programs differently but in terms of the trifecta, Stage I will check off Affordability and Reliability and miss Power slightly in comparison to the higher stages.
Stage II, becomes focused more on the machine and begins to steer clear of the luxuries the car offers. You may have experience(s) from your previous life modifying JDM/Domestic and/or whatever mechanical concoction you had the pleasure of staging and carry the sentiment, higher stages exist only for the purpose of maxing out in full - Right?! Bigger is ALWAYS Better! FULL SEND! - Right?
Let’s step back a quick second here… In the world of JDM [ only as an example ], engines are largely focused on efficiency and are based on high production widely produced engines that anyone can drive [ this includes your grandparent with early onset undiagnosed Dementia ].
Low output engines means higher tolerances to having a vehicle that can continue to do it all without fail; day in and out; regardless of the environment it has to operate in! And guess what…. these reliable engine types definitely do not fail.
Rusted but still runs. The focus of the popular base model cars are offering consumers the option and alternative to your local city transit. FREEDOM!
So what are we getting at….? The point is… the run-of-the-mill engine that handled all the staged mods you threw at it was more accepting of variances and changes as it was designed to be reliable straight from the factory at any cost!
It’s design and engineering involved continuous combustion of precious gasoline, so long as, you were able to shove air down its throat, feed it fuel, and ignite it without knock or detonation! Never-mind that the explosion is getting past the piston rings [ a huge surge in blow-by ] and the fact that its piss poor at reaching this 300 HP. But, at 1% efficiency and brute force anything is possible! How’s that 2 MPG treating ya bud [ was that EPA we hear ringing the doorbell? ]!?!
Of course the previous paragraph is an over-generalization but it can be taken as the principle of engineering commuter vehicles as of late. There are more non-specialty cars on the road [ just look at the Camry’s, Caravans, and Sonata’s ] vs. enthusiast models like a Type-R, STI, Hyundai N models and, of course the best, AMG, at any given point in time on public roads.
Let’s focus on AMG taking engineering a step further! Shoe-horning literal race derived technology into the internal combustion engine and further installing these powerplants into chassis’ of street driven cars!
In AMG’s case, an assembly line of semi-low tolerance and precise pieces are “hand assembled” by builders in Affalterbach. This is as close as a manufacturer can get into achieving what your friendly not-so-affordable local artisanal Engine Builder can achieve, only done in an assembly line format and therefore as precise as an assembly line can get! We hope they [ AMG engine builders ] are paid handsomely, which we’re sure they are!
Circling back to that Stage II that is yet to be scored in terms of the trifecta:
Power - YES!
Affordability - Maybe?
Reliability - Maybe, but likely with moderately increased maintenance. What say you, oil analysis?
You must now see where this is headed but we will spoon-feed it to you anyway! Gentlemen with Stage III engines, start your engines…. or not!
If Stage II is right on the fence of comfort and discomfort then Stage III crosses this line completely along with other necessary concessions on the other lines of vehicle ownership, daily drivability, and reliability - all in the search of horsepower and BIG COJONES MUCHO GRANDE!
Sadly aftermarket manufacturers will install Stage III parts and de-tune the settings to get back the drivability that owners need - 100% cash grab BTW! Why do they do this?
Let’s score Stage III shall we? Drumroll please:
Power - HELL YAS!
Affordability - NO, NO, NO!
Reliability - Possible and achievable only with insane amounts of maintenance, rebuilds and repairs with each use. Did we say it was affordable? NO NO NO! Better pop those oil analysis jars like Tic Tacs! This article isn’t sponsored, but it can be - please reach out to service@63motorsports.com Mr. Tic Tac man.
Wait now, why is above the case in AMG’s when your previous JDM bucket took everyone else to Gap-plebees?!
It’s simple, AMG has been successfully [ depends on the journalist you talk to ] engineering engines with big high strung, high horsepower, at higher precision! These 400 - 600+ horsepower monsters are managing this level of power yet emit the same amount of heat as any run-of-the-mill form of public transportation running on Jurassic-esque internal combustion principles [ while maintaining luxuries at that ]! These engines hit the same engine oil and coolant temperatures even with much more precision fit [ low tolerance, small clearance ] components.
Need visual proof? Here is a video of how small clearances / low tolerance increased power and efficiency go hand in hand, “Precision Fitted Components” [ 8:14 Runtime ].
So, to address and answer the question on aftermarket manufacturer de-tuning: It is because no owner is capable of performing the ten-fold amount of maintenance required to run such high horsepower output a high Stage car has!
Not only this! Aftermarket manufacturers know that high horsepower output increases service visits for them which creates more revenue in the long run!
WIN/WIN on finances, but not for the AMG owner!
Look all that I am hoping for is to show that brute force [ shoving air, fuel, and sparking it all up like country-living children igniting an explosive out at the Wyatt’s farm ] does not 100% mix with AMG engines when they are already running semi-low tolerance / small clearances from the Factory…
Plastigauge? Better than nothing.
Or… in the very least inspire and educate the masses, as we too are lovers of Stage III power! But to educate you as an AMG owner, that engine internals are a different beast altogether and should be approached with understanding and care once modded. At the very least, a discussion within your local forum on engine building considerations should be had.
Equip yourselves with strategies to combat the increase in power but decrease in reliability scenario by increasing maintenance and involvement in mechanical repairs as an owner.
Study and learn how to care for your engine or have the finances to pay a reputable shop to do it for you! Shameless plug, did you know we have our dealers worldwide equipped and ready to assist on maintenance! See the list here!
We are almost done here… Home stretch!
Finally, let’s trifecta-score engine builders for Sh!ts and Giggles:
Power - Yes
Affordability - No, but in exchange for reliability - worth its weight in engine Gold!
Reliability - YAS!
It is definitely important to review clearances as it is now a lost skill. Engine clearances, oil film considerations, and driving habits all play a role in maximizing enjoyment of your AMG!
This is not a stop sign on modifying your AMG. In fact we feel you should Stage the engine ‘til your heart’s content!
BUT! Make sure it can stomach the mods initially and continually for a long time!
Better not score this Engine Builder…
