What is the difference between the M178 and M177?

Both are 4.0L twin-turbo V8s. The M178 uses dry-sump oiling and is exclusive to the AMG GT sports car. The M177 uses wet-sump oiling and is found in sedans and SUVs.

Does the GT Black Series have a flat-plane crank?

Yes. The GT Black Series is the only AMG GT variant with a flat-plane crankshaft. All other GT models use a cross-plane crankshaft.

How much power can the AMG GT make with a tune?

Stage 1 delivers 560–680 WHP depending on variant. Stage 2 with downpipes adds 60–80 WHP. Race builds with forged internals and upgraded turbos reach 1,500HP+.

Why does the AMG GT use dry-sump oiling?

The dry-sump system uses an external oil reservoir and scavenge pumps to maintain oil supply under sustained high-G cornering and braking loads, preventing oil starvation on track.

Can I order an M178 crate engine?

Yes. YPG Motorsport builds M178 crate engines with forged internals rated to 1,500HP+. Turnkey long blocks ship worldwide from Kuwait.

Mercedes-AMG GT / GTS / GTR — M178 4.0L Dry-Sump V8 Performance Guide

The Mercedes-AMG GT family (C190, 2015–present) is AMG's dedicated two-seat sports car platform, powered by the M178 — the dry-sump variant of the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. The M178 shares its hot-vee twin-turbo architecture with the M177 but uses a dry-sump oiling system for reliable oil supply under sustained lateral and longitudinal G-loads, making it the preferred AMG V8 for track and race applications. The range spans the GT (462 HP), GT S (515 HP), GT C (550 HP), GT R (577 HP), GT R Pro (577 HP), and the flagship GT Black Series (720 HP).

The GT Black Series is unique within the AMG GT range: it replaces the cross-plane crankshaft used in all other M178 variants with a flat-plane crankshaft, producing a fundamentally different firing order and exhaust note. The flat-plane crank allows more even exhaust pulse spacing, improving turbo efficiency at high RPM and giving the Black Series its distinctive high-pitched V8 character.

Factory Specifications

Engine Code	M178 (M178.980 DE 40 AL)
Displacement	3,982 cc (4.0L)
Configuration	90° V8, twin-turbo (hot-vee), dry-sump
Bore × Stroke	83.0 mm × 92.0 mm
Factory Power	462 HP (GT) – 720 HP (Black Series)
Factory Torque	465–590 lb-ft depending on variant
Oiling System	Dry-sump (7-quart external reservoir)
Crankshaft	Cross-plane (GT/GTS/GTC/GTR) / Flat-plane (Black Series)
Transmission	AMG Speedshift DCT 7-speed (rear transaxle)
Drivetrain	RWD with electronic LSD
Curb Weight	1,540 kg (GT) / 1,575 kg (GT R) / 1,585 kg (BS)
0–100 km/h	3.8s (GT) / 3.6s (GTS) / 3.6s (GTR) / 3.2s (BS)
Production Years	2015–present

ECU Tuning

The M178 responds to the same ECU calibration approach as the M177. On the standard GT and GT S, Stage 1 delivers 560–600 WHP. On the GT R and GT C, Stage 1 reaches 640–680 WHP. Stage 2 with catless downpipes adds 60–80 WHP across all variants. The GT Black Series, already at 720 HP factory, gains less from Stage 1 calibration (typically 40–60 WHP) because Mercedes runs this engine closer to its factory turbo limit, but the improvements in throttle response and torque delivery are significant.

All AMG GT calibrations are delivered via YPG Bench mail-in service. The AMG GT's transaxle layout and Bosch controller configuration make OBD flashing impractical on most variants.

Performance Upgrade Path

The AMG GT's low weight and rear-wheel-drive layout make it exceptionally sensitive to power increases. Start with Stage 1 tuning and downpipes for Stage 2. The AMG GT chassis handles 700+ WHP on the stock driveline without issue. For builds beyond 800 WHP, forged internals are recommended. Complete M178 crate engines are available for full race builds targeting 1,500HP+.

Available Parts at YPG Motorsport

Browse AMG GT parts: ECU tuning, downpipes, exhaust systems, M178 forged internals, and M178 engine builds. Free worldwide shipping.