Hot Swap: Toyota Hilux With AMG C63 Power
Dropping in a 6.3-liter AMG motor has transformed this Toyota Hilux into a tire-shredding monster.
In the United States, if someone is doing a V8 swap, the obvious candidate is Chevrolet’s venerable LS engine — and there are good reasons for that. Along with being cheap and reliable, robust aftermarket support means it’s easy to make power. But overseas? Well, there aren’t exactly junkyards peppered with viable eight-pots. So folks looking for more poke have to get a little more creative, and South Africa Quentin Boylan’s AMG-powered Toyota Hilux is an example of just how beautiful that creativity can be.
This motor was plucked from a C63 AMG. And while the hand-built Mercedes mill might not be as cheap or reliable as aforementioned Chevy product? As someone who’s experienced these powerplants in their natural habitat, I can wholeheartedly confirm that they are masterpieces of automotive engineering, and have an exhaust note unlike anything else on the road. Plus, since Boylan owns a custom shop called Colt & Toyota Spares, he wasn’t interested in opting for the easiest path to power.
Now, it would hard to call this truck a sleeper, exactly, as the tasteful exterior mods, AMG vanity plate, and decidedly different noise from the tailpipe telegraph that something is up with this baby. Look close, and you’ll even spot a Mercedes factory-issue 6.3-liter AMG badge on the tailgate. But you have to assume that Boylan has surprised more than his fair share of drivers while cruising around the streets of Johannesburg. Unfortunately, he’s not up for doing a conversion for anyone else, as he likes the exclusivity.
The transmission is still the stock Hilux unit, and the fact that it’s held up to the extra twist from the big Mercedes engine speaks to just how stout these gearboxes are. In my opinion, the cherry on top of this build is the totally custom interior, which features loads of Alcantara, contrasting red stitching, and well-bolstered seats to keep occupants in place during spirited driving. While the Hilux AMG is Boylan’s daily driver, and he uses it to tow his race cars, he’s not above hooning it on the track. Check out the video this baby in action!
Photos: YouTube