Suspension upgrade for Cayman S

[nielsen]

I have just got my self an 2008 Cayman S to use for trackdays, what's the preferred suspension setup to use? KW Clubsport, Bilstein B16 PSS9 or are there something else I should look at?

[PorscheGT4]

sell it buy a track day car imo, I would not buy a gen 1 Cayman for a track day car my self.

it would cost quite a lot to prep it for a track hack.
as for shocks, these guys are worth a look, but you will have oil issues, camber issues and brakes issues well before shock issue on a gen 1 imo.

http://www.jrzsuspension.com/

Edited by PorscheGT4 on Thursday 23 April 13:17

[PR36]

I have bilstein pss9 and h and r anti roll bar on my 07 S and they are perfect for fast road and the occasional track day. On a dedicated track car however I would think they would be far too soft. I think if you are considering using the car on track at whatever level definitely do lots of research on what extra protection you will need for the engine. This could range from nothing using stock tyres and no mods to needing deep sump, Motorsport aos and other paraphernalia if you want to run sticky tyres and more serious track mods.

[nielsen]

I have the RSS bottom arms for the front coming, together with a set of RSS anti roll bars, rear adjustable toe links, 18" track wheels with Cup 2 tyres, and some parts to make the engine more safe.
I'm leaning towards the KW Clubsport setup, but it would be good to hear from people with experience of that suspension.

[Beanoir]

Don't the Gen1 Cayman suffer with oil starvation on hard cornering (high G-force)? I'm sure i've read that some where when discussing their use as a track car....

[jackwood]

I used my 987.1 pretty hard on track for several years with no issue.

I ran PSS9's fitted by Centre Gravity and K-Mac adjustable too mounts for more camber, though tou will be able to achieve the same with the RSS arms. So no need for the top mounts.

I liked the dampers as they were quick and easy to swap between track and road settings without tools and without jacking the car up. They lowered the ride height significantly as well.

I ran standard brakes with Pagid pads and better fluid. Had no issues at all with that combination.

Let me know if you need any other info.

Cheers

Jack

[corvettedave]

Beanoir said:

Don't the Gen1 Cayman suffer with oil starvation on hard cornering (high G-force)? I'm sure i've read that some where when discussing their use as a track car....

agree, buy a track day weapon, keep the cayman for a sunday drive

[nielsen]

corvettedave said:

agree, buy a track day weapon, keep the cayman for a sunday drive

I have just sold a trackday weapon, so fancy a change and a £15k Cayman looks like a good base for some road and track fun to me. cheap enough not to worry about insurance when on track and strong if having an off + fun on the road for a Sunday drive.

[corvettedave]

yes but the 7-10k engine rebuild after your trackday, fully possible, would be my worry

[PR36]

corvettedave said:

yes but the 7-10k engine rebuild after your trackday, fully possible, would be my worry

Dave sorry but there are many owners on planet 9 tracking there cars with no issue (having modified it accordingly) or perhaps you are speaking from firsthand experience? Otherwise why would you make such a sweeping statement like that. The same logic could be applied to any car not designed for the track. The gen 1 cayman doesn't have the best engine it's true but these sought of comments are overkill. The op has indicated it isn't a race car he is building and will also be used on road. ...Perhaps he might be better posting on planet 9 for a bit more balance and real world experience...

[corvettedave]

PR36 said:

Dave sorry but there are many owners on planet 9 tracking there cars with no issue (having modified it accordingly) or perhaps you are speaking from firsthand experience? Otherwise why would you make such a sweeping statement like that. The same logic could be applied to any car not designed for the track. The gen 1 cayman doesn't have the best engine it's true but these sought of comments are overkill. The op has indicated it isn't a race car he is building and will also be used on road. ...Perhaps he might be better posting on planet 9 for a bit more balance and real world experience...

listen freedom of opinion!

after seeing all the rust and st underneath my 07 cayman, front spring breaking, shocks rusted to hell, etc etc, the cayman doesnt fill me confidence, the gen 1 engine is a problem when it gets too hot, which is more likely on a track

[Trev450]

Beanoir said:

Don't the Gen1 Cayman suffer with oil starvation on hard cornering (high G-force)? I'm sure i've read that some where when discussing their use as a track car....

Yes they do but fitting an Accusump will cure that, or a cheaper alternative (albeit not as effective)is a baffled sump which is what I've gone for.

[nielsen]

Trev450 said:

Yes they do but fitting an Accusump will cure that, or a cheaper alternative (albeit not as effective)is a baffled sump which is what I've gone for.

Baffled sump on order, have a new accusump in the workshop and the Mobil 1 oil will be flushed out with something better. 3 new rads ordered and thermostat will be sorted to, so not to worried about the engine side of things.

[Beanoir]

nielsen said:

Trev450 said:

Yes they do but fitting an Accusump will cure that, or a cheaper alternative (albeit not as effective)is a baffled sump which is what I've gone for.

Baffled sump on order, have a new accusump in the workshop and the Mobil 1 oil will be flushed out with something better. 3 new rads ordered and thermostat will be sorted to, so not to worried about the engine side of things.

Perfect - you sound pretty well prepped for it then! I always wondered what my S would have been like on the track.

[Trev450]

nielsen said:

Trev450 said:

Yes they do but fitting an Accusump will cure that, or a cheaper alternative (albeit not as effective)is a baffled sump which is what I've gone for.

Baffled sump on order, have a new accusump in the workshop and the Mobil 1 oil will be flushed out with something better. 3 new rads ordered and thermostat will be sorted to, so not to worried about the engine side of things.

Much the same as mine with the exception of the third rad. I've been using Millers Nanotech 5w/40 as recommended by Hartech for the last couple of years. I don't know if it does everything is claims (friction reduction mainly) but it's worth the marginal extra outlay if it provides only a small amount of additional protection.

As an aside, I can't comment on KW Clubsports on a Cayman, but I fitted a set to my track prepared Evo V1 RS last year and noticed a huge improvement. I shaved over 1.5 seconds of my lap time round Castle Combe, and the car felt so much more planted in that I think there's more to come with some fine tuning. In addition, they also give a much more compliant ride on the road than my previously fitted budget coilovers did.

[PorscheGT4]

nielsen said:

Baffled sump on order, have a new accusump in the workshop and the Mobil 1 oil will be flushed out with something better. 3 new rads ordered and thermostat will be sorted to, so not to worried about the engine side of things.

I would also fit the Motorsport AOS

[nielsen]

PorscheGT4 said:

I would also fit the Motorsport AOS

I will start with a new standard one, and if having problems then change to the motorsport rip-of one ;-)

[nielsen]

Anybody know about a good rear cage to fit?

[PR36]

nielsen said:

Anybody know about a good rear cage to fit?

google heigo who make one for the cayman. Was also going to mention in relation to your suspension questions maybe worth speaking with svp who i believe race boxster/caymans and they do the kw suspension including a 'bespoke' version for the cayman.

Edited by PR36 on Friday 24th April 20:29

Edited by PR36 on Friday 24th April 20:30

Edited by PR36 on Friday 24th April 20:30

[nielsen]

PR36 said:

google heigo who make one for the cayman. Was also going to mention in relation to your suspension questions maybe worth speaking with svp who i believe race boxster/caymans and they do the kw suspension including a 'bespoke' version for the cayman.

Edited by PR36 on Friday 24th April 20:29

Edited by PR36 on Friday 24th April 20:30

Edited by PR36 on Friday 24th April 20:30

That's what I have found on a German site, but hoped there would be something in the UK to avoid the £200.00 delivery cost