Mercedes-AMG W213 E63 / E63 S Performance Upgrade Path (2026)

The Mercedes-AMG W213 E63 S is one of the most underrated cars on the modification market in 2026. It comes from the factory with 603 HP, runs 0-60 in 3.2 seconds, and responds to a Stage 1 tune with a 100+ wheel HP jump. The M177 engine in the E63 S is mechanically identical to the M178 in the AMG GT and the M177 in the W205 C63 S and GLE 63. The aftermarket has been pulling 800-900 wheel HP from stock turbos for years. This guide walks the Stage 1 to Stage 3 path for the W213 E63 / E63 S platform.

What is the AMG W213 E63?

The W213 E63 launched in 2017 with the 4.0L M177 twin-turbo V8 — a hot-V engine (turbos mounted between the cylinder heads in the valley) shared with the AMG GT, C63 S, GLC 63, GLE 63, GLS 63, and G63. Mercedes detuned the engine to 563 HP for E63 base and ran the E63 S at 603 HP. The 9G-Tronic 9-speed automatic and AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive are standard on both. The W213 E63 received an LCI refresh in 2021 with updated styling and software.

Cars that use the M177 V8

• W213 E63 / E63 S Sedan and Estate (2017-2023)
• W205 C63 / C63 S Sedan, Coupe, Cabriolet (2015-2021)
• W463 G63 (2018+)
• W167 GLE 63 S (2020+)
• X167 GLS 63 (2020+)
• C190 AMG GT / R / Black Series (M178 variant, dry sump)

Stage 1: Tune Only (700-750 HP)

Stage 1 on the W213 E63 S is software-only. On 91 octane premium (Mercedes ECU is tuned for 91 from factory in NA), expect 700-730 wheel HP. The factory ECU has substantial timing and boost headroom. On 93 octane the safe envelope climbs to 730-760 wheel HP. The torque jump is even more impressive — stock 627 lb-ft to over 760 lb-ft at the wheels.

Best tuner for E63 S in 2026

• Eurocharged Performance: The M177 community standard. Largest map library, most refined drivability on hot-V V8 platforms.
• MGT (Mercedes Group of Tuners): Strong dyno reputation. Aggressive maps for E40+ ethanol mixes.
• Renntech: Premium tuner with a long history on AMG cars. More conservative tuning philosophy, excellent driveability.
• GIAC: Solid third option for owners wanting cheaper Stage 1 flash with good support.

The TCU tune (don't skip it)

The factory 9G-Tronic calibration is conservative — holds gears too long, shifts slowly under boost, and limits torque to protect the transmission. A TCU tune from Eurocharged or MGT unlocks the gearbox to match the ECU work. The difference is dramatic. We recommend TCU tune at the same time as ECU Stage 1.

Stage 2: Bolt-Ons (820-870 HP)

Stage 2 on the M177 = downpipes plus updated tune. The hot-V engine layout puts the turbos in the valley, so factory downpipes have extreme heat exposure and aggressive secondary cats. Aftermarket downpipes drop EGTs significantly and free up huge HP. Build order:

1. Downpipes (catless or 200-cell catted): Single biggest bolt-on for any M177 / M178 platform. ARM Motorsports, MAD Engineering, MGT, Renntech, and Akrapovic all make direct-fit W213 downpipes. See the MAD GLE63 / E63 downpipe. Browse all downpipes.
2. Midpipes / X-pipe: Drops secondary cats. Mandatory for full Stage 2 HP target. Akrapovic, ARM Motorsports, and Eisenmann make direct-fit W213 midpipes.
3. Intake: Factory M177 airbox is decent. Aftermarket intakes from Eventuri and Carbonio give 8-12 wheel HP and better induction sound.
4. Intercooler: Stock W213 intercooler heat-soaks above 800 HP. Direct-fit upgrades from CSF and Wagner Tuning are mandatory past Stage 2.

With Stage 2 downpipes + midpipes + intake + tune, expect 820-860 wheel HP on pump gas, 860-920 wheel HP on E30+ mix.

Stage 2+: E60-E85 (900-980 HP)

Like the Audi C8 4.0T, the M177 has factory port injection. This makes it well-suited to ethanol fueling without a separate port injection bolt-on. The stock HPFP supports up to about 900 wheel HP. Above that you need:

• E60+ ethanol mix at the pump or via flex-fuel sensor
• Auxiliary low-pressure fuel pump for E85 use (Fuel-It style kits exist for the platform)
• HPFP upgrade for sustained 950+ wheel HP
• Larger intercooler (CSF or Wagner Tuning W213 race-spec)
• Aggressive cooling — oil cooler, transmission cooler, charge cooling

Stage 3: Turbo Upgrades (950+ HP)

Stock M177 turbos top out around 920-980 wheel HP on E60+ with full bolt-ons. Upgraded turbo options for the M177 platform in 2026:

• Weistec W.4 turbo upgrade: Drop-in replacement turbos supporting 1,000+ wheel HP.
• RENNtech R1 / R2 turbo packages: Hand-built upgraded turbos with comprehensive tune and support package.
• VTT C8 / M177 builds: Available for committed builds targeting 1,100+ wheel HP.

At Stage 3 you also need: forged rods (factory rods bend around 950-1000 HP at sustained pulls), upgraded HPFP plus auxiliary pumps, race-spec intercooler, 9G-Tronic transmission service every 5,000 miles, dry-sump consideration for track use.

Supporting Mods That Save Your Engine

Transmission cooler and service

The 9G-Tronic 9-speed automatic in the W213 E63 handles factory power easily. At Stage 2 (800+ wheel HP) an auxiliary transmission cooler becomes mandatory. Aggressive launches also wear the torque converter — inspect at 40-60k miles.

Oil cooler upgrade

Factory M177 oil cooler is sized for stock power. CSF and Renntech make direct-fit upgrades. Mandatory for track use or sustained high-speed driving in hot climates.

Differential and 4MATIC+

The AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system in the W213 handles up to 900-950 wheel HP without issues. Past that, upgraded transfer case service intervals and reinforced rear-diff bushings become important.

Brakes

Stock factory ceramic composite brakes (optional) are excellent. If you have the steel brake option, EBC Yellow Stuff or Bluestuff pads + Brembo rotors are the standard upgrade path. See EBC brake options.

M177 / W213 known issues to watch

• Wastegate actuator failures: Some 2017-2018 cars had wastegate failures. Mercedes issued a TSB. Verify your VIN.
• Primary cat substrate breakdown: Stock cat substrates can break down at sustained high-load driving. Aftermarket downpipes remove this risk entirely.
• 9G-Tronic torque converter wear: Aggressive launches above stock power can wear the TC. Service the transmission fluid at 40k mile intervals if tuned.
• OPF / GPF retrofits (EU cars only): Some EU W213 cars have a gasoline particulate filter that adds backpressure and complicates downpipe install. NA cars don't have OPF.

What chassis are you working with?

• Mercedes-AMG W213 E63 / E63 S (2017-2023)
• Mercedes-AMG W205 C63 / C63 S (2015-2021) — same M177 engine
• Mercedes-AMG W204 C63 / C63 S (2008-2015) — naturally aspirated M156 V8 (different platform entirely)

FAQ

What is the safe Stage 1 HP for the W213 E63 S?

On 91 octane premium (Mercedes ECU default), 700-730 wheel HP is safely sustainable. On 93 octane the envelope climbs to 730-760 wheel HP. The factory rotating assembly handles Stage 1 indefinitely under normal street driving.

Do I need the TCU tune?

Yes. The 9G-Tronic factory calibration is the limiting factor on Stage 1 HP delivery. Without a TCU tune, the transmission limits torque and holds gears too long. TCU tune is mandatory if you want to feel the Stage 1 power.

How much HP can the stock M177 twin turbos make?

The factory M177 turbos top out around 920-980 wheel HP with full bolt-ons and E60+ fueling. Past that you need upgraded turbos.

Will catless downpipes throw a CEL on the W213?

Yes, unless paired with a tune that disables the catalyst monitor. Catted high-flow downpipes (200 cell or 300 cell) usually pass the OEM O2 reading on M177 cars. We recommend pairing every downpipe install with a Stage 2 tune to dial in fueling.

Are the C63 S and E63 S downpipes the same?

Same engine family (M177), but the downpipes are platform-specific because of chassis routing. W205 C63 S downpipes do not fit W213 E63 S, and vice versa. Always verify chassis fitment before buying.

Where do I buy W213 E63 parts in Canada?

KORE SPEED is Vancouver's Mercedes-AMG performance specialist. We stock Eurocharged, MGT, Weistec, Renntech, Akrapovic, ARM Motorsports, MAD Engineering, CSF, EBC Brakes, and Brembo for the M177 platform in-stock for same business day shipping across Canada. Most products ship duty-free to the US under USMCA. Browse the W213 E63 catalog or see all tuning options.