Mercedes Contacted Me About My AMG GT R's INSANE Story & 850 HP Upgrade!

The Mysterious AMG GT R's Past

• 💡 The 2020 AMG GT R, with only 9,000 miles, had a complex history involving Mercedes-Benz corporate lending it out.
• 🧐 Initial assumptions about white door hinges indicating structural damage were incorrect; the car was wrapped white for a music video.
• 🕵️ An insider from Mercedes-Benz USA revealed the car was heavily modified, requiring a return to stock to fix an issue.

Performance Modifications and Parts

• 🚀 The AMG GT R, initially producing 550 wheel horsepower stock, received significant upgrades including hybrid turbos from Victory Road Performance.
• 🛠️ New parts included larger turbochargers, a heat shield, downpipes with cats, different intakes, and blowoff valves.
• ⚙️ The process involved extensive disassembly, including removing the engine computer and spark plugs, to access and replace components.

Unveiling the Engine Oil Analysis

• 🔬 Blackstone Laboratories' oil analysis showed elevated levels of iron, copper, and silicone, potentially due to lingering wear or sealer washing out.
• ⚠️ The results were considered acceptable given the low mileage and the car's history, with a plan to monitor trends in future samples.
• 💧 Coolant was observed near a spark plug hole after turbo removal, suggesting a possible spill during the return-to-stock process.

Turbo and Spark Plug Upgrades

• ✨ The stock turbos were replaced with VRP1000 turbos, featuring significantly larger billet compressor and turbine wheels.
• 🔌 Spark plugs were replaced with colder HKS plugs, gapped for high power applications.
• 💨 Wastegate actuators were swapped, and the process involved careful reassembly with new seals and gaskets.

Exhaust and Intake System Enhancements

• 🔊 High-flow catalytic downpipes were installed to improve exhaust flow and sound, while retaining cats for environmental reasons.
• 💨 The intake system was upgraded with aftermarket intake boxes, open filters, and blowoff valves vented to atmosphere for a distinct sound.
• 🎨 Custom cerakoted intake tubes were used for heat management, and a custom silicone coupler integrated factory PCV tubes.

Dyno Tuning and Power Gains

• 📈 After modifications, the car was tuned by BNZ Haus, starting with street tuning before dyno runs.
• 📊 The initial dyno pulls showed gains from 550 wheel horsepower stock to 591 HP, with the transmission tune being crucial for further increases.
• 🚀 With the transmission control unit (TCU) tuned, the AMG GT R achieved an impressive 752 wheel horsepower and 714 ft-lbs of torque on 93 octane pump gas.

The INSANE Story Revealed

• 🚗 The car was originally lent by Mercedes-Benz to an automotive media creator who modified it to resemble the AMG GT R Pro, wrapped it in various promotions (including white and ESPN), and used it in a music video and gender reveal.
• 🔧 A Mercedes-Benz USA insider revealed the car was returned to a dealership with an engine performance issue due to aftermarket turbos and downpipes, requiring a full return to stock.
• ❓ The reason Mercedes-Benz let the car sit at auction for 3.5 years despite passing dealership checks remains unclear, possibly related to warranty avoidance.

Final Performance and Driving Experience

• 🚀 The tuned AMG GT R delivered an exhilarating driving experience with near-zero turbo lag and significant power gains, reaching 758 wheel horsepower after an RPM increase.
• 💨 The car achieved 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds, with potential for sub-3-second times on cooler days.
• 🛣️ The author expressed immense satisfaction with the car's performance, handling, and the wild story behind its acquisition, highlighting its transformation from a low-mileage, mysterious vehicle to a powerful machine.