Discussion
Folks
Where the GT4 is a vastly updated Cayman with its’s GT3 derived front suspension and updated rear hubs and set up plus updated engine, is the Spyder the same as the GT4 in these departments or is it a Boxster with an updated engine and hood with the same mechanicals?
Put another way is the Spyder really a convertible GT4?
Apologies if this is a daft question - everything’s easy once you know!
Where might I find a definitive GT4 over non GT4 Cayman upgrade list - same applies to the Spyder?
Where the GT4 is a vastly updated Cayman with its’s GT3 derived front suspension and updated rear hubs and set up plus updated engine, is the Spyder the same as the GT4 in these departments or is it a Boxster with an updated engine and hood with the same mechanicals?
Put another way is the Spyder really a convertible GT4?
Apologies if this is a daft question - everything’s easy once you know!
Where might I find a definitive GT4 over non GT4 Cayman upgrade list - same applies to the Spyder?
981 Boxster Spyder is not a convertible GT4.
As you mention, its basically a hot-rodded Boxster GTS and manual roof - which is no bad thing at all.
The cars drive differently - the Spyder with the passive x73 dampers - it more focussed on road and is also more immediately playful on the road given its smaller contact patch - product of power and tyre widths.
GT4 is more locked down - higher levels of grip - as this car is more targeted for track work.
As you mention, its basically a hot-rodded Boxster GTS and manual roof - which is no bad thing at all.
The cars drive differently - the Spyder with the passive x73 dampers - it more focussed on road and is also more immediately playful on the road given its smaller contact patch - product of power and tyre widths.
GT4 is more locked down - higher levels of grip - as this car is more targeted for track work.
The 981 Spyder has the same engine and and gearbox as the GT4, but I think the engine mapping software is different and essentially the same as a GTS. The GT4 has GT department mapping which is more track focussed. I think the wheels are slightly less wide on the Spyder compared to the GT4 too.
The brakes on the GT4 are the same as the GT3, on the Spyder they're the same as the 911 Carrera S that dontated the engine. The suspension setup on the Spyder is the same as the passive Sport Chassis (X73) setup that was an option on all 981 models. The GT4 has GT-spec PASM.
So no, a Spyder is not a convertible GT4 - it's a manual Boxster GTS with a different roof, upgraded brakes and a 3.8ltr engine.
The brakes on the GT4 are the same as the GT3, on the Spyder they're the same as the 911 Carrera S that dontated the engine. The suspension setup on the Spyder is the same as the passive Sport Chassis (X73) setup that was an option on all 981 models. The GT4 has GT-spec PASM.
So no, a Spyder is not a convertible GT4 - it's a manual Boxster GTS with a different roof, upgraded brakes and a 3.8ltr engine.
Edited by Twinfan on Tuesday 10th April 09:33
To answer your question on GT4 vs non-GT Caymans the differences are:
- Engine
- Engine software/mapping for the ECU, PASM, PTV etc
- Brakes
- Front suspension
- Rear suspension
- Wheels/tyres
- PASM shocks
- Bumpers/wing/aero
- Clubsport option with cage and extinguisher
- Option of LWB 918-style lightweight buckets
- No parking sensor options
- No Bose/Burmester audio options
For me the worst thing about the 981 Spyder IS the noise, it's the totally fake over run crap modern cars and owners seem to have/want.
The GT4 is like the GT3 a Honest sounding flat 6 and sounds 10 times nicer.
think of the 981 Spyder as the 718 with a 3.8 it has more in common with the 718 then the 981.
The brakes, steering rack, chassis brace etc is all 718.
981 Spyder is a very nice car, it's no GT4 though and cannot be put up vs each other imo. The handling is far better in the GT4 on UK roads imo and runs the bumps far nicer than X73 ever can.
A nice all round car ruined by the fake noise and the P-zero tyres.
The GT4 is like the GT3 a Honest sounding flat 6 and sounds 10 times nicer.
think of the 981 Spyder as the 718 with a 3.8 it has more in common with the 718 then the 981.
The brakes, steering rack, chassis brace etc is all 718.
981 Spyder is a very nice car, it's no GT4 though and cannot be put up vs each other imo. The handling is far better in the GT4 on UK roads imo and runs the bumps far nicer than X73 ever can.
A nice all round car ruined by the fake noise and the P-zero tyres.
Porsche911R said:
think of the 981 Spyder as the 718 with a 3.8 it has more in common with the 718 then the 981.
The brakes, steering rack, chassis brace etc is all 718.
You're wrong about the brakes. For steels they're:The brakes, steering rack, chassis brace etc is all 718.
981 Spyder: 6 piston front 340mm / 4 piston rear 330mm
718 S/GTS: 4 piston front 330mm / 4 piston rear 299mm
Twinfan said:
You're wrong about the brakes. For steels they're:
981 Spyder: 6 piston front 340mm / 4 piston rear 330mm
718 S/GTS: 4 piston front 330mm / 4 piston rear 299mm
ok cool, it's hard to keep up, I thought the new 718 had bigger brakes than that, when all the cars share so much I find it odd a lot of things are 10mm out.981 Spyder: 6 piston front 340mm / 4 piston rear 330mm
718 S/GTS: 4 piston front 330mm / 4 piston rear 299mm
The brakes on the 981 Spyder are crazy good, I thought they were carried over to the 718, like the chassis brace and steering rack from the turbo.
Porsche911R said:
For me the worst thing about the 981 Spyder IS the noise, it's the totally fake over run crap modern cars and owners seem to have/want.
981 Spyder is a very nice car, it's no GT4 though and cannot be put up vs each other imo. The handling is far better in the GT4 on UK roads imo and runs the bumps far nicer than X73 ever can.
A nice all round car ruined by the fake noise and the P-zero tyres.
^^^^ Got to agree with this: 981 Spyder is a fab car (though not as impressive as my old 987 Spyder IMHO....), but the fabricated pops/bangs on over-run are a tad OTT..... But, horses for courses: Wifey actually prefers the racket coming out of the Spyder over that coming from my GT4....!! I’m just not a fan of “fake” anything— the “symphonic feedback thingy” in the 991.1 GTS drove me crazy...!!—the GT4 motor sounds like an honest to goodness 991 Carrera S engine, which is what it is...! The Spyder is also a good few ponies down on the GT4 remember....981 Spyder is a very nice car, it's no GT4 though and cannot be put up vs each other imo. The handling is far better in the GT4 on UK roads imo and runs the bumps far nicer than X73 ever can.
A nice all round car ruined by the fake noise and the P-zero tyres.
And for track-day enthusiasts, the GT4 wins every time, mainly due to the bigger brakes and adjustable suspension.... On road, there’s not a great deal between them I don’t feel. You can get a better tan in the Spyder, if that’s your thing...
Oh, just to add... Either the steels on my GT4 are s
t, or the Spyder’s brakes are over-servoed....Edited by Swimfinz on Tuesday 10th April 12:48
Swimfinz said:
Oh, just to add... Either the steels on my GT4 are st, or the Spyder’s brakes are over-servoed....
the Spyder 981 are very over servoed, but they are very strong units for sure, I think the OEM GT4 pad is st, or the Spyder’s brakes are over-servoed....t and lacks bite, a change of pads would cure the initial bite imo. But my GT4 is long gone and I don't miss it that much if at all , I just need to sell my 981 Spyder now :-) any takers for the UK cheapest full spec 981 ? just been serviced so ready to go for summer.Fits well if you cannot run a fleet, the 981 is a 1 car does it all sort of car and safe money. best Euro hooning car also.
I have been running it as a daily as it's been fun but I do have to run PSE off and it's a bit quite off, and chavtastic on :-(
great modders car, as we know it can do 430 BHP, so a 981 with 430 BHP and some better tyres would be fun.
Porsche911R said:
Swimfinz said:
Oh, just to add... Either the steels on my GT4 are st, or the Spyder’s brakes are over-servoed....
the Spyder 981 are very over servoed, but they are very strong units for sure, I think the OEM GT4 pad is st, or the Spyder’s brakes are over-servoed....t and lacks bite, a change of pads would cure the initial bite imo. But my GT4 is long gone and I don't miss it that much if at all , I just need to sell my 981 Spyder now :-) any takers for the UK cheapest full spec 981 ? just been serviced so ready to go for summer.Fits well if you cannot run a fleet, the 981 is a 1 car does it all sort of car and safe money. best Euro hooning car also.
I have been running it as a daily as it's been fun but I do have to run PSE off and it's a bit quite off, and chavtastic on :-(
great modders car, as we know it can do 430 BHP, so a 981 with 430 BHP and some better tyres would be fun.
Wifey likes the 981 Spyders— and yours IS an excellent “driver’s example”— but I’m trying to push her into a manual 987 Spyder, much like my old one: it was one of my biggest regrets selling that....!!
Swimfinz said:
Cheers— will try a change of pads on the 4 for more “bite”......
Wifey likes the 981 Spyders— and yours IS an excellent “driver’s example”— but I’m trying to push her into a manual 987 Spyder, much like my old one: it was one of my biggest regrets selling that....!!
yep I am keeping my manual 987.2 Spyder ;-) it's a very special car, and a fine match for my manual 991.2 GT3.Wifey likes the 981 Spyders— and yours IS an excellent “driver’s example”— but I’m trying to push her into a manual 987 Spyder, much like my old one: it was one of my biggest regrets selling that....!!
Porsche911R said:
Swimfinz said:
Cheers— will try a change of pads on the 4 for more “bite”......
Wifey likes the 981 Spyders— and yours IS an excellent “driver’s example”— but I’m trying to push her into a manual 987 Spyder, much like my old one: it was one of my biggest regrets selling that....!!
yep I am keeping my manual 987.2 Spyder ;-) it's a very special car, and a fine match for my manual 991.2 GT3.Wifey likes the 981 Spyders— and yours IS an excellent “driver’s example”— but I’m trying to push her into a manual 987 Spyder, much like my old one: it was one of my biggest regrets selling that....!!
Let me know if you ever change your mind..!! Identically specced to my old one.... Swimfinz said:
Don’t blame you... Let me know if you ever change your mind..!! Identically specced to my old one....
nice only about 3 about like that. I still get in it and you can feel the lack of weight in the change of direction, people go on about saving 20kg's on a 1500kg car !!! Let me know if you ever change your mind..!! Identically specced to my old one.... my Spdyers a 1250KG car and feels it.
Thanks folks.
I have a 981 Boxster GTS and love it as does Mrs Wife.
I keep ogling the GT style and will try to get an option on the 718 GT4 and Spyder but suspect I’ll not get anywhere.
Mine is going to take some beating and i was just keen to know the above point so much appreciated.
PEC in 2 weeks in the 718 BGTS so that will give me a feel for the 4 pot too.
Im lucky enough to have a drop top 60’s Classic Triumph so I’m thinking a hard top next.
Choices are GT4 (718/981- prefer the tech in the 718), 718 Cayman GTS, 991.2 GTS 2WD Coupe - one thing is for sure it will be a Porsche.
Perhaps our 981 BGTS will become a keeper but at least now I know my onions - well sort of.....
I have a 981 Boxster GTS and love it as does Mrs Wife.
I keep ogling the GT style and will try to get an option on the 718 GT4 and Spyder but suspect I’ll not get anywhere.
Mine is going to take some beating and i was just keen to know the above point so much appreciated.
PEC in 2 weeks in the 718 BGTS so that will give me a feel for the 4 pot too.
Im lucky enough to have a drop top 60’s Classic Triumph so I’m thinking a hard top next.
Choices are GT4 (718/981- prefer the tech in the 718), 718 Cayman GTS, 991.2 GTS 2WD Coupe - one thing is for sure it will be a Porsche.
Perhaps our 981 BGTS will become a keeper but at least now I know my onions - well sort of.....
GTSMarky said:
Thanks folks.
I have a 981 Boxster GTS and love it as does Mrs Wife.
I keep ogling the GT style and will try to get an option on the 718 GT4 and Spyder but suspect I’ll not get anywhere.
Mine is going to take some beating and i was just keen to know the above point so much appreciated.
PEC in 2 weeks in the 718 BGTS so that will give me a feel for the 4 pot too.
Im lucky enough to have a drop top 60’s Classic Triumph so I’m thinking a hard top next.
Choices are GT4 (718/981- prefer the tech in the 718), 718 Cayman GTS, 991.2 GTS 2WD Coupe - one thing is for sure it will be a Porsche.
Perhaps our 981 BGTS will become a keeper but at least now I know my onions - well sort of.....
Is it just the style, or do you need the extra oomph?I have a 981 Boxster GTS and love it as does Mrs Wife.
I keep ogling the GT style and will try to get an option on the 718 GT4 and Spyder but suspect I’ll not get anywhere.
Mine is going to take some beating and i was just keen to know the above point so much appreciated.
PEC in 2 weeks in the 718 BGTS so that will give me a feel for the 4 pot too.
Im lucky enough to have a drop top 60’s Classic Triumph so I’m thinking a hard top next.
Choices are GT4 (718/981- prefer the tech in the 718), 718 Cayman GTS, 991.2 GTS 2WD Coupe - one thing is for sure it will be a Porsche.
Perhaps our 981 BGTS will become a keeper but at least now I know my onions - well sort of.....
Couple of shots from one of our club meets. Anyone recognise themselves?...
It’s the extra oomph, handling, braking and general awesomeness.
I need to balance the above with the fact it’s also our weekend away car and Mrs Wife I hope will also use the Porsche for general totttering about and no doubt after the PEC the odd track day session too behind the wheel.
Having learnt about the Spyder not being a convertible GT4 that helps as it’s so close to GT4 money I know where I’d go.
The GT4 also looks superb...
I need to balance the above with the fact it’s also our weekend away car and Mrs Wife I hope will also use the Porsche for general totttering about and no doubt after the PEC the odd track day session too behind the wheel.
Having learnt about the Spyder not being a convertible GT4 that helps as it’s so close to GT4 money I know where I’d go.
The GT4 also looks superb...
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