Back in the fold.
Discussion
kilarney said:
I have done something similar and sold my 981 spyder now replaced with 987.2 s. Its no spyder but I enjoy it just as much and in some ways more as im less precious about it.
The only area its significantly behind a 981 is torsional stiffness, noticeable with the roof down. I actually prefer the quiet exhaust because Im old and want to make progress without attracting unwanted attention. No regrets at the bargain price.
That’s also a part of the appeal. Cheaper so less bothered about it. If turns out to be something I fall In love with, already know some choice interior and style mods which will really set it off individually. Nothing like a lovely cosseting interior!The only area its significantly behind a 981 is torsional stiffness, noticeable with the roof down. I actually prefer the quiet exhaust because Im old and want to make progress without attracting unwanted attention. No regrets at the bargain price.
Do you get more over run sound with it being non dfi? I remember my spider popped once after a hard drive and actually scared me. Hate these new contrived pops and bangs mapped in. In the old days a proper bang meant you have had a solid drive. Not ponying around trying to attract attention.
Right, after 400 miles seat time there is lots to report back.
Firstly the car doesn’t remotely feel run in. Engine feels tight and the brakes feel totally awesome. More to look forward to when it loosens up. The brake pedal feels far better than my old Spyder which had around half a cm of travel before you got into the brakes. These work straight away but don’t have the new car grabbyness, just progressive feel as you press harder.
This car is on Conti SC3 N1 which are brand new and not the Michelin’s I mistakenly thought were on there. Still they don’t seem to bad but building my confidence in them as never had Conti before.
Things I love. The damping is awesome. Very stiff and controlled, but doesn’t crash. Just a notch down from the Spyder making it that bit more ideal for day to day. Around 40 mph it’s gliding over the surface but totally keyed in.
Love the stock leather seats. You can sit far lower than the sport buckets and being able to recline means you don’t need to be sitting upright in traffic which is far better for daily use. As much as I love buckets, for a daily it’s pointless imo. I did daily my mini works for 5 years with recaro pole positions so perhaps those seats are an exception.
You can pull the steering wheel right out and all the way down to get butted up next to the engine.
Coming back to a nice stiff clutch, connected gear shift, steering you actually have to put some effort into and a brake pedal that is so feelsome is a total joy. I feel like I’m driving again.
The engine on the motorway was pretty good. Cruising in 6th and overtaking was adequate enough. Probably less usable than a Porsche should be in most people’s eyes power wise, but on my daily commute, it’s actually perfect. You are rarely above the speed limit but you can still thrash and enjoy the engine sound, the connectivity through the bends and quick reaction of the car.
Going hard through first second and third shows the car is clearly quick enough and when going through bends need to up your heel and toe game to be able to drop down to second. No leaving in 3rd and riding the torque. Fun factor is massively increased and skills are improving as the miles go on. This car makes you a better driver!
The creature comforts are nice, climate, heated seats, cup holders. All stuff the Spyder didn’t have which would have made it more usable daily. Still I guess not in character with that car. Just feels cozy driving around in it.
In conclusion, I think my mods will be fairly limited as the car is amazing out of the box. 9 excellence said with a decent tune and manifolds 20whp is possible. I guess if it gives it another 20lb ft which most research suggests the car will pretty much be perfect for B roads. Just needs that flat sport around 3k mapped out. A fast road geo from the same people made the Spyder epic so will replicate here.
Not enough exhaust noise, but induction noise is far louder than I remember on my Spyder.
Lastly, an alcantara steering wheel, gear knob and boot and handbrake to enhance the contact points. Heard good things about the GT3 shifter as well. Headlight upgrade also already ordered as candles are not cutting it on the unlit country roads.
I can see why the cayman r is probably the perfect road car with comfort seats, xenons, MT, ac and cup holders.
The response of the 3.4 in any gear is far better but still gets you to crazy speeds quite quickly. The torque feels solid in all gears but still encourages you to use all the Rev range. Love the Porsche way of looking at power and torque to weight to devise their cars. I reckon when the 2.9 is “unlocked” it will have just that extra edge it needs to make it what it should be.
Hopefully when this thing is run in I get more top end zing. It still feels tight going over 5k.
Found out the car had a clutch after 4 year old and 4K miles as due to lack of use it had seized on the flywheel so both were change. Will prob give it till 10k miles and then do the remap so it’s had a chance to stretch itself.
Last bit, fuel economy is epic. 450 miles out of a tank on m way and around 400 on my journey means with tax, insurance & fuel will be saving around 4K a year against my RS4.
Winning all around and I don’t see any of these 987.2 so quite unique on the road! So glad I went for this model. The newer ones whilst probably easier for day to day are a bit softer around the edges for my liking. This feels like a sports car through and throughout and isn’t so perfect that you are filtered out from the actual joy of driving.
Looking forward to the next 100k plus miles. This is Defo a daily that will be staying :-)
Firstly the car doesn’t remotely feel run in. Engine feels tight and the brakes feel totally awesome. More to look forward to when it loosens up. The brake pedal feels far better than my old Spyder which had around half a cm of travel before you got into the brakes. These work straight away but don’t have the new car grabbyness, just progressive feel as you press harder.
This car is on Conti SC3 N1 which are brand new and not the Michelin’s I mistakenly thought were on there. Still they don’t seem to bad but building my confidence in them as never had Conti before.
Things I love. The damping is awesome. Very stiff and controlled, but doesn’t crash. Just a notch down from the Spyder making it that bit more ideal for day to day. Around 40 mph it’s gliding over the surface but totally keyed in.
Love the stock leather seats. You can sit far lower than the sport buckets and being able to recline means you don’t need to be sitting upright in traffic which is far better for daily use. As much as I love buckets, for a daily it’s pointless imo. I did daily my mini works for 5 years with recaro pole positions so perhaps those seats are an exception.
You can pull the steering wheel right out and all the way down to get butted up next to the engine.
Coming back to a nice stiff clutch, connected gear shift, steering you actually have to put some effort into and a brake pedal that is so feelsome is a total joy. I feel like I’m driving again.
The engine on the motorway was pretty good. Cruising in 6th and overtaking was adequate enough. Probably less usable than a Porsche should be in most people’s eyes power wise, but on my daily commute, it’s actually perfect. You are rarely above the speed limit but you can still thrash and enjoy the engine sound, the connectivity through the bends and quick reaction of the car.
Going hard through first second and third shows the car is clearly quick enough and when going through bends need to up your heel and toe game to be able to drop down to second. No leaving in 3rd and riding the torque. Fun factor is massively increased and skills are improving as the miles go on. This car makes you a better driver!
The creature comforts are nice, climate, heated seats, cup holders. All stuff the Spyder didn’t have which would have made it more usable daily. Still I guess not in character with that car. Just feels cozy driving around in it.
In conclusion, I think my mods will be fairly limited as the car is amazing out of the box. 9 excellence said with a decent tune and manifolds 20whp is possible. I guess if it gives it another 20lb ft which most research suggests the car will pretty much be perfect for B roads. Just needs that flat sport around 3k mapped out. A fast road geo from the same people made the Spyder epic so will replicate here.
Not enough exhaust noise, but induction noise is far louder than I remember on my Spyder.
Lastly, an alcantara steering wheel, gear knob and boot and handbrake to enhance the contact points. Heard good things about the GT3 shifter as well. Headlight upgrade also already ordered as candles are not cutting it on the unlit country roads.
I can see why the cayman r is probably the perfect road car with comfort seats, xenons, MT, ac and cup holders.
The response of the 3.4 in any gear is far better but still gets you to crazy speeds quite quickly. The torque feels solid in all gears but still encourages you to use all the Rev range. Love the Porsche way of looking at power and torque to weight to devise their cars. I reckon when the 2.9 is “unlocked” it will have just that extra edge it needs to make it what it should be.
Hopefully when this thing is run in I get more top end zing. It still feels tight going over 5k.
Found out the car had a clutch after 4 year old and 4K miles as due to lack of use it had seized on the flywheel so both were change. Will prob give it till 10k miles and then do the remap so it’s had a chance to stretch itself.
Last bit, fuel economy is epic. 450 miles out of a tank on m way and around 400 on my journey means with tax, insurance & fuel will be saving around 4K a year against my RS4.
Winning all around and I don’t see any of these 987.2 so quite unique on the road! So glad I went for this model. The newer ones whilst probably easier for day to day are a bit softer around the edges for my liking. This feels like a sports car through and throughout and isn’t so perfect that you are filtered out from the actual joy of driving.
Looking forward to the next 100k plus miles. This is Defo a daily that will be staying :-)
Yeah previous Spyder was platinum silver. This new one is basalt similar to panther black. It’s so mint not one chip. Tempted to get ppf on the bonnet and bumper to keep it protected for the years to come. Will be ceramic coating soon. My pal at minutia detailing is nothing short of epic and a proper perfectionist.
Roll on the summer!!
Roll on the summer!!
jayxx83 said:
kilarney said:
Do you get more over run sound with it being non dfi? I remember my spider popped once after a hard drive and actually scared me. Hate these new contrived pops and bangs mapped in. In the old days a proper bang meant you have had a solid drive. Not ponying around trying to attract attention.
Mine is a 3.4 so the dfi engine. Drivetrain wise the gear ratios are better due to the smaller wheels so effectively just the final drive is shifted. The 3.4 revs sweeter than the 3.8 but some of this is down to the quieter exhaust which always gives that perception. The 981 3.8 made great noises for 10 minutes but its mainly exhaust noise not induction with the blaring as the valves open in the upper rev range both annoying and infantile in equal measure. Certainly cant get under the radar !
The stock 987.2 is very muted and really more about induction noise which I prefer as I realised its really the flat six signature as it was in the aircooled motor. I fitted noisy pipes to my 993 and hated it so back to stock I went. For instance in my 997 GTS I enjoyed the induction sound and smoothness so used to drive mostly with the sports exhaust off , in the 981 spyder it was lost.
Having said all this I have opened up the internals of the stock 987.2 box to increase the voice slightly but its very slight and just about enough, most would say its not enough.
After some more miles and a commute into London. Feels great. Managed to get some hard stops in just before abs kicks in and boy are they solid!
Even had the tyres smoking! Adapted driving style now a bit so not really finding the lack of torque an issue. How ever can tell it needs some negative camber urgently on the front end.
Man driving this thing is so much fun!!!
Even had the tyres smoking! Adapted driving style now a bit so not really finding the lack of torque an issue. How ever can tell it needs some negative camber urgently on the front end.
Man driving this thing is so much fun!!!
Sounds great.
I do sometimes miss the slightly shorter (due to wheel size!) gearing of my 987.1 3.2 compared to my 981. It makes the long gearing just about acceptable....
Might have to add another 987 in future to the collection. Never owned a 987.2, so that could be a good idea.
Would have to have 200 cell headers installed though, as when I test drove the 987.2 years ago the sound was a bit poor compared to 987.1 with Carnewal. Probably due to cats muffling the sound, and maybe DFI change.
Has anyone mapped a 987.2 3.4 to take away the power roll-off at the top end of the Rev range (would make it more like the 2.9 character maybe?)?
To me that’s the joy of NA - the build to red line, though most people just want low down torque these days.
I do sometimes miss the slightly shorter (due to wheel size!) gearing of my 987.1 3.2 compared to my 981. It makes the long gearing just about acceptable....
Might have to add another 987 in future to the collection. Never owned a 987.2, so that could be a good idea.
Would have to have 200 cell headers installed though, as when I test drove the 987.2 years ago the sound was a bit poor compared to 987.1 with Carnewal. Probably due to cats muffling the sound, and maybe DFI change.
Has anyone mapped a 987.2 3.4 to take away the power roll-off at the top end of the Rev range (would make it more like the 2.9 character maybe?)?
To me that’s the joy of NA - the build to red line, though most people just want low down torque these days.
Looking at the power curve of the 2.9 and 3.4 it’s pretty much the same. Peak power at 6500 and then it holds to just over 7k from what I can see.
The Spyder made peak power at 7200 and the cut out was 7400/7500 I think.
I saw the carnewal oem manifolds with HJS for 1k which looks decent and they say it gives you the 10hp increase. 9 excellence say with headers and tune 20whp is possible which is enough really. Don’t know whether the extra cash is worth it for the proper longtube ones as it’s around 2k more for no extra power but I’m sure The drivability will feel better with a proper equal length manifold rather than the crushed stock ones.
Just want the 3k dip mapped out and power to be made further up like the Spyder. Racing through the gears on that car was great fun as the feeling just before the redline was amazing. Just felt like it would pull forever.
First mod this weekend is to upgrade the headlights. Stock aren’t bad but you need to keep using high beam. Rather have decent dipped lights.
The Spyder made peak power at 7200 and the cut out was 7400/7500 I think.
I saw the carnewal oem manifolds with HJS for 1k which looks decent and they say it gives you the 10hp increase. 9 excellence say with headers and tune 20whp is possible which is enough really. Don’t know whether the extra cash is worth it for the proper longtube ones as it’s around 2k more for no extra power but I’m sure The drivability will feel better with a proper equal length manifold rather than the crushed stock ones.
Just want the 3k dip mapped out and power to be made further up like the Spyder. Racing through the gears on that car was great fun as the feeling just before the redline was amazing. Just felt like it would pull forever.
First mod this weekend is to upgrade the headlights. Stock aren’t bad but you need to keep using high beam. Rather have decent dipped lights.
Thought I would update this thread as it’s been a few months.
After collecting the car I got mike a minutia derailing to give the car a full correction and ceramic coat. The car literally looked like new. Hard to believe it was 8.5 years old at the time.
After this I thought I would just run it in a bit more as the engine was still pretty tight. Fast forward to today and a chance over 7 k miles to evaluate what I did and didn’t like about the car.
Firstly my thoughts are the 2.9 is genuinely 80 of what my 987 3.4 Spyder was for 50 pc of the price. The ride was equally poor imo. At low speeds 35 and under, they both rode like pogo sticks.
Above this on the right B road they do come together amazingly well, but the 2.9 suspension gets flustered at higher speeds. Damping too stiff but springs feel like they aren’t doing much.
Picked up a few choice upgrades to lift the interior comprising of oem boxster carbon dash trims, gear surround, handbrake and gear knob. Looks far nicer now.
Also have the Spyder front corner splitters and a sport design rear ducktail spoiler. Not chav but oem.
All of this has made it feel and look a little more distinctive but after an oil change it was time to get stuck in.
I had done a lot of research on the Ohlins RT kit and seen a lot had said it was too stiff. After further googling I saw CG had had good results by lowering front rates to 50nm and rear to 70nm.
I spoke with BG Motorsport in Silverstone and as they work quite closely with CG concurred it would be a good solution with our rougher roads.
They did a cracking supply, corner weight and fit on the car. Also opted for whatever max camber the front is able to run as stock. Kept the drop to -20 mm as per Porsche on the Spyder and Ohlins recommendations.
What can I say. It feels like a totally different car. The brittleness of the stock dampers and ride is totally gone. No more pogo and car being thrown off line by mid Corner bumps. No creaks. Throw in at any speed and it’s locked down.
On the motorway you don’t need to press the accelerator hardly at all to maintain 70-75 mph. Fuel economy is up. Brakes, just touch them and you feel the car stopping faster with no diving. Car takes off better as less squat.
Currently running 13 from full stiff on front and 15 from full stiff at rear. The car glides over the surface and on high speed crests, large compressions etc is totally unfazed. The car only has 15k miles on it so the oem hardware is still in good order but this suspension is on another level to Kw I have had in the past.
You can get the back out now even though it has minimal torque. For wet driving you could consider softening but had a nice wet run out on Saturday and it was still locked down despite bumping roads etc. no sliding just pure control. Was a bit scared it may twitch but nothing of the sort. Front is so Darty.
I can whole heartedly recommend this set up and BG Motorsport to any enthusiast. Amazing service from them and massive attention to detail. They also are the UK Ohlins service centre and rebuild these most other things. was great to see a lmp1 and wrc set of shocks being refurbished. Lovely people and unmatched price.
They said 6kg light than stock units as well to boot.
Next mods will be the Apex SM 10 in 18” which should save a couple KG and give it a tougher stance.
9e recommends bmc, plenum, oem mani with 200 cell and remap to add around 30hp and 20lb ft. Will be perfect as even now with the stock power, as you can stay on it even more, it stays in its zone more often.
If your on the fence, don’t be. Will be the best single mod you can do!!
After collecting the car I got mike a minutia derailing to give the car a full correction and ceramic coat. The car literally looked like new. Hard to believe it was 8.5 years old at the time.
After this I thought I would just run it in a bit more as the engine was still pretty tight. Fast forward to today and a chance over 7 k miles to evaluate what I did and didn’t like about the car.
Firstly my thoughts are the 2.9 is genuinely 80 of what my 987 3.4 Spyder was for 50 pc of the price. The ride was equally poor imo. At low speeds 35 and under, they both rode like pogo sticks.
Above this on the right B road they do come together amazingly well, but the 2.9 suspension gets flustered at higher speeds. Damping too stiff but springs feel like they aren’t doing much.
Picked up a few choice upgrades to lift the interior comprising of oem boxster carbon dash trims, gear surround, handbrake and gear knob. Looks far nicer now.
Also have the Spyder front corner splitters and a sport design rear ducktail spoiler. Not chav but oem.
All of this has made it feel and look a little more distinctive but after an oil change it was time to get stuck in.
I had done a lot of research on the Ohlins RT kit and seen a lot had said it was too stiff. After further googling I saw CG had had good results by lowering front rates to 50nm and rear to 70nm.
I spoke with BG Motorsport in Silverstone and as they work quite closely with CG concurred it would be a good solution with our rougher roads.
They did a cracking supply, corner weight and fit on the car. Also opted for whatever max camber the front is able to run as stock. Kept the drop to -20 mm as per Porsche on the Spyder and Ohlins recommendations.
What can I say. It feels like a totally different car. The brittleness of the stock dampers and ride is totally gone. No more pogo and car being thrown off line by mid Corner bumps. No creaks. Throw in at any speed and it’s locked down.
On the motorway you don’t need to press the accelerator hardly at all to maintain 70-75 mph. Fuel economy is up. Brakes, just touch them and you feel the car stopping faster with no diving. Car takes off better as less squat.
Currently running 13 from full stiff on front and 15 from full stiff at rear. The car glides over the surface and on high speed crests, large compressions etc is totally unfazed. The car only has 15k miles on it so the oem hardware is still in good order but this suspension is on another level to Kw I have had in the past.
You can get the back out now even though it has minimal torque. For wet driving you could consider softening but had a nice wet run out on Saturday and it was still locked down despite bumping roads etc. no sliding just pure control. Was a bit scared it may twitch but nothing of the sort. Front is so Darty.
I can whole heartedly recommend this set up and BG Motorsport to any enthusiast. Amazing service from them and massive attention to detail. They also are the UK Ohlins service centre and rebuild these most other things. was great to see a lmp1 and wrc set of shocks being refurbished. Lovely people and unmatched price.
They said 6kg light than stock units as well to boot.
Next mods will be the Apex SM 10 in 18” which should save a couple KG and give it a tougher stance.
9e recommends bmc, plenum, oem mani with 200 cell and remap to add around 30hp and 20lb ft. Will be perfect as even now with the stock power, as you can stay on it even more, it stays in its zone more often.
If your on the fence, don’t be. Will be the best single mod you can do!!
Worst pic of the lowering but once it stops raining will give a proper clean and pic on level ground. Needs more aggressive offset wheels to bring it together. Still shocked at how much of an animal the suspension has made the car into. 
Below pic shows stock Spyder spring rates in comparison.
|
Below pic shows stock Spyder spring rates in comparison.
|Had the common gear cable snap a couple of weeks ago. Was a good excuse for an oem shifter kit. Had the SSK on my old Spyder but it feels way better in this. Perhaps due to new shifter cables.
As the gear change is so much quicker, rev matching on downshifts is more pleasurable, and changing up means less delay before getting on power. Makes the file feel totally like one solid piece.
Tight brakes, tight gear shift, tight suspension and good throttle response (better when higher up in the rev range).
Next mods are new wheels and unlocking the hidden 30hp in the engine!
As the gear change is so much quicker, rev matching on downshifts is more pleasurable, and changing up means less delay before getting on power. Makes the file feel totally like one solid piece.
Tight brakes, tight gear shift, tight suspension and good throttle response (better when higher up in the rev range).
Next mods are new wheels and unlocking the hidden 30hp in the engine!
Oh an also forgot, nine excellence do some excellent zunsport style front bumper grills.
They aren’t ugly and over the front but recessed behind the bumper slats. Much easier to get leaves out but doesn’t allow the mulch to form at the bottom of the bumper.
Cheaper than zunsport to boot as well!
They aren’t ugly and over the front but recessed behind the bumper slats. Much easier to get leaves out but doesn’t allow the mulch to form at the bottom of the bumper.
Cheaper than zunsport to boot as well!
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