17 Jun 2025:
Let's talk a little bit about the engine. As indicated in the first post (and title), this will be an M156 conversion. If you do not know what an M156 is, well, first click
HERE for info on it. The first M156 was acquired about three years ago from a facelift C63 AMG. It came in pieces, as it had been torn down due to a valve issue. The heads were rebuilt, and the short block untouched. At less than 55k miles, it was an ideal candidate. It came with all new gaskets, seals, bolts, lifters, brand new phasers, and the cams had been reconditioned. Perfect! Only issue was that it was for a C-class, and the oil pan was all wrong for Crossfire. This is the same for an M113 swap. If you have a C-, CLS-, or E-class engine, the dual sump oil pan will not fit properly. What is needed is an oil pan from a CL- or S-class, with it's single front sump pan. An S-class pan and pump were acquired from eBay, but before it got here, and derelict CL63 showed up here. It was scrapped for parts. Then a theft recovery E63 showed up. The interior and exterior were both super stripped, but for some reason, the engine and transmission were virtually untouched. We got it running, then stripped the driveline out. That's three M156's! Then a deal on a low mileage C-class M156 short block came along, and well, we obviously needed it. Then another CL63 showed up. And then a CLS63. Both were stripped and junked. Oh boy! And then it happened. Facebook Marketplace, you may be the death of me! Someone in Ontario was parting out their wrecked 2014 C63 AMG "507 Edition". This is no ordinary M156. This one features the rotating assembly from a M159. The
M159 is a variation of the M156 with forged and lightened internals (7kg off the rotating assembly!), a dry-sump oiling system, a revised intake manifold, and more. For reference, here's an M159 that is currently available at a junk yard in Jackson, MS. For $30k, you can swap this into your Crossfire!
M159 Engine
M159 Engine
M159 Engine
While I would love to take on an M159 into a Crossfire, it is way beyond my means to do so. However, so much of what makes the M159 is locked away inside the 507 Edition M156. To me, the performance gained from the lightened internals pales against the strength aspect. Forged vs cast pistons, forged rods, forged crankshaft. Yes! The rest of the engine is "run of the mill" M156, with the only other characteristic identifiable being the dark grey painted intake manifold (it is no different from a regular M156, other than the color).
Picture of the M156 "507 Edition" from the previous owner's for sale ad
Picture of the M156 "507 Edition" from the previous owner's for sale ad
Picture of the M156 "507 Edition" from the previous owner's for sale ad
It had been partially disassembled, and was missing a few pieces, but for the price, it was absolutely worth it. The problem? It was in Canada. If you are unfamiliar with the ongoing trade war our nations are battling, I will tell you that this means a difficult time getting paperwork right on shipping something like this from Canada to the US. Add in two more factors: one, it was not made in either country, but in Germany, adding a new dimension for tariffs and paperwork; two, it is an engine. A powerplant. A fossil fuel burning pollution generating device. Yeah, the EPA wants paperwork, too. Add all of that on top of buying remotely from an unknown party, and well, the weeks it took to get here made me sweat uncomfortably. Fortunately, it did arrive!
Freshly arrived M156, and still good!
156.985 Part number checks out!
So after sweating and worrying, can confirm that Brandon Molson is a good seller! Thank you, Brandon!
More on the engine in a month or two!