Cayman 987.1 Mod or not?
Discussion
I'm pondering, and thought I'd let my indecision be guided by the PH experts......
My Cayman S is 9 years old, 50k miles. Totally stock: Manual, std suspension, 18in wheels.
Likely use: One track day a year. Mainly B and A road driving.
I've had it 6 years. So far, it has been pretty reliable and cheap to own, only requiring discs, pads, tyres and an oil seal replacement. It's a car a like a lot, but don't adore. Having come from a string of Lotus cars, the thing that would make the Cayman truly special would be to dial in an Evora-like suppleness and balance (A bit more front end bite, a little more playful on the throttle). I've no desire for much more power but more feelsome (and fade free) brakes would be a plus.
On my 17in winter tyres, I find the car is a step closer to the ideal. A little more movement, a little more compliant.
I'm pondering whether to keep the car for the very long term and start to tweak it to my taste. I like the concept of the tuned Cayman SV from SVP/OPC but in a less stripped out form.
So, now the car has reached the age that certain things may need replacing soon, I'd like advice on whether to stay OEM or not on this shopping list as and when parts are needed:
Exhaust - Nothing too motorway boomy, but a bit more character would be welcomed but only if it gave performance gains, perhaps linked to a....
Remap - Worth considering?
Dampers and Springs - I'm largely happy with the OEM set up, but if they need replacing, I'd appreciate advice on alternatives
Geo - Where's best in the Midlands for sharpening up the front end and giving me a less 'inert' set up.
Brakes - I'm on OEM replacement discs and pads. I've always felt these are a weak spot on the Cayman, but I think it is more about the servo hiding the feel rather than needing bigger pads.
If the clutch went, would you put in a lighter flywheel too?
Over to you to design my perfect 'Lotus Cayman'. Or just tell me to get out of here and get a Supercharged Evora
My Cayman S is 9 years old, 50k miles. Totally stock: Manual, std suspension, 18in wheels.
Likely use: One track day a year. Mainly B and A road driving.
I've had it 6 years. So far, it has been pretty reliable and cheap to own, only requiring discs, pads, tyres and an oil seal replacement. It's a car a like a lot, but don't adore. Having come from a string of Lotus cars, the thing that would make the Cayman truly special would be to dial in an Evora-like suppleness and balance (A bit more front end bite, a little more playful on the throttle). I've no desire for much more power but more feelsome (and fade free) brakes would be a plus.
On my 17in winter tyres, I find the car is a step closer to the ideal. A little more movement, a little more compliant.
I'm pondering whether to keep the car for the very long term and start to tweak it to my taste. I like the concept of the tuned Cayman SV from SVP/OPC but in a less stripped out form.
So, now the car has reached the age that certain things may need replacing soon, I'd like advice on whether to stay OEM or not on this shopping list as and when parts are needed:
Exhaust - Nothing too motorway boomy, but a bit more character would be welcomed but only if it gave performance gains, perhaps linked to a....
Remap - Worth considering?
Dampers and Springs - I'm largely happy with the OEM set up, but if they need replacing, I'd appreciate advice on alternatives
Geo - Where's best in the Midlands for sharpening up the front end and giving me a less 'inert' set up.
Brakes - I'm on OEM replacement discs and pads. I've always felt these are a weak spot on the Cayman, but I think it is more about the servo hiding the feel rather than needing bigger pads.
If the clutch went, would you put in a lighter flywheel too?
Over to you to design my perfect 'Lotus Cayman'. Or just tell me to get out of here and get a Supercharged Evora
Edited by Redlake27 on Wednesday 13th July 08:26
What's the car worth now? Do the sums for the difference between that and an Evora. But remember that your finished Cayman RL1 at resale time might appeal to almost nobody, vs the residuals on an Evora in five years time?
If residuals are not important to you, I'd also be tempted to do the sums on selling the 987 and buying a 986? Cmoose is probably an expert on that, and there is plenty of experience in tracking/racing such cars, and you should be able to pick and choose your mods, with the 986 being more of a Lotus-starting point?
If residuals are not important to you, I'd also be tempted to do the sums on selling the 987 and buying a 986? Cmoose is probably an expert on that, and there is plenty of experience in tracking/racing such cars, and you should be able to pick and choose your mods, with the 986 being more of a Lotus-starting point?
I would not do any of that and I run a load of modded Caymans and Boxsters and a fully modded gen one back in 2006.
and a fully modded gen 2 now.
I would go 18" wheels, I feel I like a wider tyre up front myself and don't like the extra give in a balloon tyre wall.
I did switch from 19" to 18" in my gen 1 and that was a great move, I would not under tyre the car on 17" (you don't see an EVOA on 17") and you get the feed back in that car !
front spacers helps turn in as a wider front track
Short Shift kit oem
monoball rear toe links, stops rear steer and tightens up that rear end esp under brakes.
Gyro disks with RS29's and maybe the 25.4mm MC (NOT the GT3 one 27mm which gives you very little pedal movement !)
good geo, with zero toe in at the front and about -1.5 camber.
Super Sport tyres as they give you loads of feed back.
LSD
Function 1st rear engine mount, YELLOW.
add sports mode software if missing, gives you a slip angle and makes the throttle respond faster.
motorsport air to oil separator
new oem bushes inc ARB bushes and new drop links as the cars on 50k
shocks well that's a tricky one and costly what about just a rebuild on the oem ones.
you could try ebach springs as they are cheap and if you don't like them a full new shock set up later.
power wise also you can take this car to 345BHp and the issues with the gen 1 is the 4 cats and a massive feeling dead spot.
I would do a rear CAT delete back box exhaust which helps loads for the dead spot and gives a bit more of a nice noise.
you can go with TB and software on the gen 1 it's a tried and tested route to 340bhp, but the car dives so much nicer it's not just about the power but the smooth power curve.
I would avoid:
gt3 MC
17" wheels
crap brake mods
cup cable hassle (the SS esp a new one will feel great) and cup cables does look hassle to fit.
set of firm bushing (go try a car with powerfex all round it's not that nice, my mate just done it and it was a BIG mistake)
sprint booster, oem sports software is better imo and give you that extra slip angle to play with.
and a fully modded gen 2 now.
I would go 18" wheels, I feel I like a wider tyre up front myself and don't like the extra give in a balloon tyre wall.
I did switch from 19" to 18" in my gen 1 and that was a great move, I would not under tyre the car on 17" (you don't see an EVOA on 17") and you get the feed back in that car !
front spacers helps turn in as a wider front track
Short Shift kit oem
monoball rear toe links, stops rear steer and tightens up that rear end esp under brakes.
Gyro disks with RS29's and maybe the 25.4mm MC (NOT the GT3 one 27mm which gives you very little pedal movement !)
good geo, with zero toe in at the front and about -1.5 camber.
Super Sport tyres as they give you loads of feed back.
LSD
Function 1st rear engine mount, YELLOW.
add sports mode software if missing, gives you a slip angle and makes the throttle respond faster.
motorsport air to oil separator
new oem bushes inc ARB bushes and new drop links as the cars on 50k
shocks well that's a tricky one and costly what about just a rebuild on the oem ones.
you could try ebach springs as they are cheap and if you don't like them a full new shock set up later.
power wise also you can take this car to 345BHp and the issues with the gen 1 is the 4 cats and a massive feeling dead spot.
I would do a rear CAT delete back box exhaust which helps loads for the dead spot and gives a bit more of a nice noise.
you can go with TB and software on the gen 1 it's a tried and tested route to 340bhp, but the car dives so much nicer it's not just about the power but the smooth power curve.
I would avoid:
gt3 MC
17" wheels
crap brake mods
cup cable hassle (the SS esp a new one will feel great) and cup cables does look hassle to fit.
set of firm bushing (go try a car with powerfex all round it's not that nice, my mate just done it and it was a BIG mistake)
sprint booster, oem sports software is better imo and give you that extra slip angle to play with.
we all like what we like, YOU have done nothing to your car, I have 3 modded porkers and a past gen 1 modded car
says it all, as you say and should tell you all you need to know :-), people who talk the talk and DO NOTHING are rife on PH !
My offer is still open for you to do a review on my Spyder if you are not too stubborn ! it has a oem size MC though and 19" wheels , must feel s
t !
says it all, as you say and should tell you all you need to know :-), people who talk the talk and DO NOTHING are rife on PH !
My offer is still open for you to do a review on my Spyder if you are not too stubborn ! it has a oem size MC though and 19" wheels , must feel s
t !Edited by Porsche911R on Tuesday 2nd August 11:11
In respect of wheels, there are clearly very different opinions on this. I went from 19’s to 17’s on my 2.9, and 90% of the time I prefer the 17’s . Better ride, and better handling feel. Having previously owned an S2 Exige, there is definitely a bit more “Lotus” to it. However, I do on occasions miss the extra front end grip the 19’s had. I have PS2 tyres on it, with 205’s at the front. Maybe 18’s offer the right balance with the added width at the front.
The only other mod I can comment on is Carnewal. I cannot recommend this enough, takes a while to properly bed in but it’s a lovely sound, no drone at motorway speeds and a bit more Porsche noise when you want it. It’s also a relative bargain compared to some aftermarket exhausts.
The only other mod I can comment on is Carnewal. I cannot recommend this enough, takes a while to properly bed in but it’s a lovely sound, no drone at motorway speeds and a bit more Porsche noise when you want it. It’s also a relative bargain compared to some aftermarket exhausts.
If it were your previous 2.9 gen 2, I can see the appeal of modifying to have the perfect car for your needs.
But me being risk adverse, I would always be a little worried about spending too much money on modding a 987 gen 1 3.4 knowing the potential issue of bore scoring and the costs involved in rectifying this.
But me being risk adverse, I would always be a little worried about spending too much money on modding a 987 gen 1 3.4 knowing the potential issue of bore scoring and the costs involved in rectifying this.
Redlake27 said:
I'm pondering, and thought I'd let my indecision be guided by the PH experts......
So, now the car has reached the age that certain things may need replacing soon, I'd like advice on whether to stay OEM or not on this shopping list as and when parts are needed:
Exhaust - Nothing too motorway boomy, but a bit more character would be welcomed but only if it gave performance gains, perhaps linked to a....
Remap - Worth considering?
Dampers and Springs - I'm largely happy with the OEM set up, but if they need replacing, I'd appreciate advice on alternatives
Geo - Where's best in the Midlands for sharpening up the front end and giving me a less 'inert' set up.
Brakes - I'm on OEM replacement discs and pads. I've always felt these are a weak spot on the Cayman, but I think it is more about the servo hiding the feel rather than needing bigger pads.
If the clutch went, would you put in a lighter flywheel too?
I have an 07 CS that has all the mods and a lot more that you mention so will give you my two pence worth. So, now the car has reached the age that certain things may need replacing soon, I'd like advice on whether to stay OEM or not on this shopping list as and when parts are needed:
Exhaust - Nothing too motorway boomy, but a bit more character would be welcomed but only if it gave performance gains, perhaps linked to a....
Remap - Worth considering?
Dampers and Springs - I'm largely happy with the OEM set up, but if they need replacing, I'd appreciate advice on alternatives
Geo - Where's best in the Midlands for sharpening up the front end and giving me a less 'inert' set up.
Brakes - I'm on OEM replacement discs and pads. I've always felt these are a weak spot on the Cayman, but I think it is more about the servo hiding the feel rather than needing bigger pads.
If the clutch went, would you put in a lighter flywheel too?
Edited by Redlake27 on Wednesday 13th July 08:26
Exhaust - Carnewal GT is the way to go. Adds some characterful volume to the otherwise muted sound, no drone and perfectly acceptable on long journeys, and cheap as chips..
Remap - i have the softronic map i installed myself. Worth it only if done in conjunction with the carnewal exhaust, IPD plenum and GT3 throttle body otherwise you wont notice that much.
Dampers - i have PSS9 lowered with an uprated arb - huge improvement over the stock dampers, adjustable to be softer or harder than stock and a great 'road' set up.
GEO - can't do much with the stock set up so no huge gains to me made. I have RSS lower control arms and toe steer kit on mine which allows more radical geo - big improvement but it was very costly and increases road noise.
Brakes - i have the GT3 MC, stock discs but pagid RS29 pads. Great improvement in pedal feel and bite without spending much.
Flywheel - will have this done only if the clutch goes
Wheels - wouldn't worry to much about wheels, stick with what you have and spend the money elsewhere..Mine has 19s and its not a problem..
To summarise, my modified gen 1 cayman s knocks spots off a Cayman R and cost about 10-12k less. Granted we wont get any of the cash back we spend on mods but if like me you couldn't care less it isn't a problem. good luck!
Thing is you can do all that to an R and then that's knocks spots off most things ;-)
I would say my R was a faster better car than my modded gen 1 car though.
but £8k spent on a R would be one great car.
UK seems to love 100% stock cars though even geo's so most people miss out on how great most cars can be made better.
I would say my R was a faster better car than my modded gen 1 car though.
but £8k spent on a R would be one great car.
UK seems to love 100% stock cars though even geo's so most people miss out on how great most cars can be made better.
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