Cayman Gen 2 Advice On Modifications

[Phoneix]

Hello folks,

I've recently come back into Cayman ownership after a brief foray into a BMW 130i. Had a Black Edition Cayman S before but sold it to free up some cash, thought I'd be happy with with the BMW but missed the Cayman too much, hence in January bought another 987 Gen 2.

I'm liking the car, has everything I wanted and more: PASM, Sports Chrono, 19s, LSD, Sports Seats, Short Shift, Bose. I put some Michelin Pilot Super Sports on it a few months ago.

However, I feel like it could be even better, and sharper so I'm looking for advice on modifications. It's a car I plan to keep for a long time so want to make it the best it can be. After some searching and reading I have some ideas but my knowledge is quite limited so I would like advice and confirmation from the Cayman gurus on here...

It’s a daily driver so want to main a reasonable ride quality and general day to day drivability. I’m aiming to achieve an even more nimble, flat cornering, responsive machine. Ninemeister in Warrington will probably be doing the work, had a good experience with Robin there and found all the staff helpful.

So the issues:

1. Steering response and feel: I'm thinking longer control arms (RSS arms?) and geo with more front camber. I've seen what a difference a proper alignment made in my previous car, though I don't remember the actual numbers for camber, toe, etc. The car needs a geo anyway, can someone tell me what I should be aiming for in terms of numbers and how to achieve it. It's a daily driver so want it be comfortable as well as responsive.

2. More pinned down and stable: not keen on lowering it as PASM off worsens the ride considerably. Any advice? I think the above should help but is there anything else? (I realise I will probably need to do 5 - see below)

3. Flatter cornering: replace anti-roll bars, I've seen H&R ones being mentioned on here like:
https://www.design911.co.uk/mobile/#part;id=247

Long term:

4. Wheels: 18 inch, from my reading on here, should improve the handling and overall ride.

5. Dampers: apparently the Bilstein PSS10 Damptronic system improves stability, handling and ride. Anyone have this? Very expensive mod but from what I've read on US forums, it's amazing.

6. Steering wheel: I love the way the steering wheel feels in terms of tactility but I want it to be smaller. I'm not sure I can make the diameter of the current one smaller so can anyone recommend alternatives?

7. Exhaust: I've read a lot about different exhausts on here, the Carnewal exhaust has good reviews but that seems to relate to the Gen 1 cars, there's not much info on Gen 2 exhausts.

Thanks

Here she is a couple of weeks ago...

[Phoneix]

Porsche911R said:

fit Cayman R shocks + ARB, front 7mm spacers, rear engine mount and -1.5 camber up front with zero toe.

that should all be cheap and a great start.

Thanks

I'm assuming I'd have to turn off the PASM. Do you have this setup (I think I've seen you mention it elsehwere)? How do you find the ride? Forgive my ignorance but what benefit does changing the rear engine mount bring? How much would all of the above cost? Roughly

[Phoneix]

Johnniem said:

OP, is the handling on the car, reputed to be one of the best handling and most planted cars one can buy, really an issue? I can see a need for power and perhaps better brakes but handling? Nah. I am completely with you on the exhaust front though fella. AM also thinking of the Carnewal. A trip to Belgium and a nice new noise to boot! Apparently there is no drone inside the cabin if one opts for the Carnewal.

Just IMHO of course!

I think the power is adequate for the road, I mean I'd like another 50bhp/50lb torque but difficult to get that out of this car without spending serious money.

Yep, plan to look into the Carnewal exhaust more too!

[Phoneix]

Trev450 said:

porsche911r makes some sound suggestions to sharpen your handling.

Out of interest, what tyres are on the car and how old are they?

Michelin Pilot Super Sports, around three months. Bought them on recommendation of this site. Had PS2s on previous, can't feel a massive difference to be honest, actually I can, in the dry, these are very very sticky, but both very good tyres.

[Phoneix]

OldBob said:

I think the standard brakes are too soft and uninspiring.
GT3 master cylinder and uprated disks/pads are a good mod.

Agree, brakes could be improved but I feel the handling side is what's bugging me more. Which disks and pads would you recommend?

[Phoneix]

Porsche911R said:

Yep no PASM, I do have the set up as I have an R :-) . Engine mount mean when you turn left the engine tuns left with you.
With oem mount when you turn left the engine is still trying to go straight on.

Costs are very little for the transformation, £1.5k r sus, £25 spacers, £90 engine mount. Plus all fitment.

Oh, lol. Not sure why I thought you had a modded S!

Okay, thanks, price wise, sounds good. What's the ride like? I've not driven/sat in a Cayman R. Just concerned about that issue as the roads in my area are particularly awful and it's my daily driver.

[Phoneix]

m040 said:

This is a recent review on the Gen2 :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pu6JwZiKL4g

Thanks. I like that. How good does it sound when he's pressing on? Do you know if it adds anything bhp wise?

[Phoneix]

Porsche911R said:

ride is firm, not as bouncy as your car with PASM on though.
looks are better also as it's another 10mm lower.

the R passive set up is really good and makes the car imo.

Cool, thanks. Also I wanted to ask, is it just the front that spacers are needed? Something like: https://www.design911.co.uk/mobile/#part;id=275

I ask because there's another set with bolts. And I can't find the engine mount, would it be something I have to go a OPC for?

Thanks

Also, I wondered, your username is Porsche911R, have one on order....?

[Phoneix]

Porsche911R said:

just 7mm front spacers , that will help turn in. you need a set of longer bolts and if you want locking the 5mm Porsche locking ones.

the engine mount is here
http://www.function-first.com/products/engine-tran... (yellow one I have fitted)

and no 991R :-( but I do have a GT4 :-)

Brilliant, thanks. So something like: https://www.design911.co.uk/mobile/#part;id=1402

Strange that the addition of bolts takes the prices up to £89.

Wow, GT4, you're a very lucky man!

[Phoneix]

boxsey said:

My experience with DesignTek after market parts is that the quality is very poor. I bought some brake caliper adapters and the threads stripped as soon as the bolts were torqued up (they had to be helicoiled to fix them). They weren't particularly cheap either! Therefore I would think twice about using the bolts in that kit. I'd just buy the spacers and buy longer original bolts. Original bolts are about £6 each.

Thanks for the advice. Do you know what size I'll need to go with 7mm spacers? I'm thinking 10mm longer and looks like I'll need 10 bolts for two spacers.

[Phoneix]

boxsey said:

I don't use spacers myself as my wheels (Oz ultraleggera) have smaller offsets which give the same spacer effect, therefore I can use the standard bolts.

Looking at what's available you'll need to get the 10 mm longer bolts for 7 mm spacers:

http://type911shop.co.uk/epages/de867ca1-377e-432e...

Thanks

[Phoneix]

Some further advice needed please:

Do the Cayman R suspension shock absorbers fit the gen 2 Cayman S? Reason I ask is there's a problem with one of the rear dampers and I'm wondering whether I should change the whole suspension to the R one rather than buying just one new one. I read somewhere on the Planet 9 website that the Cayman R suspension fits the Gen 1 Cayman but not the Gen 2 one, which doesn't make sense but that's what it said.

[Phoneix]

Porsche911R said:

https://www.suncoastparts.com/product/9872CSPS.htm...

you can order it on either it seems

Yes, I saw it on the Suncoasts website too. Also it seems the springs are different on the Cayman R too, I'm guessing I need to change those too.