Cayman S Update

"bmil128" (bmil128) 07/23/2020 at 17:58 • Filed to: None

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So two months into Porsche ownership and you could say I’m obsessed. I’ve been finding time for projects to make small improvements here and there. So far I have done the following:

Added flush mount spacers and had alignment done, reduced front camber to -1.5 deg to get rid of induced mild understeer for AX/track purposes

Added a set of 19" Carrera Classic wheels found for a steal on Rennlist

Installed Soul Performance x-pipe and dual tailpipes (the stock exhaust pipe is actually a tee between the two mufflers with a single outlet connected to dual tips) No real difference in sound other than when backing off throttle but it looks 10x better than the stock trapezoid shape.

Added black/terracotta Cocomats as well as a black sport wheel and shift knob to improve the appearance of the high wear items.

Installed a new radio head unit with Apple CarPlay to improve the experience and sound. Even with the stock Bose speakers and amp, the new unit greatly improves the audio quality.

So I like yacht rock. Problem with that?

Driving-wise the car is terrific. On the 19" wheels I added a set of Continental ExtremeContact Sport tires, cheaper than the Michelin PS4S but not far off in terms of dry grip. So far they grip better than the old PSS that came on the 18" wheels the car arrived on. The old tires are still in decent shape, and with them I have taken several spirited road trips and run several autocrosses and an SCCA Track Sprint, basically autocross on a section of track at MSR Houston with no cones.

So far the car’s handling and balance are perfect to me, while it could potentially use a boost in power it is not lacking for anything as far as I’m concerned. The only other mod for now will be either Bridgestone RE-71Rs or Yokohama A052s for autocross/track day use. The only other project in the future is a respray for the hood, a previous owner bent it and it has some deep scratches like a cat attacked it. Other than that I have no complaints and am very happy with my Cayman so far.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > bmil128 07/23/2020 at 18:02

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Such a beauty.

Have you driven a 981S with the flat 6? Thoughts on the differences between the two?

Sovande > bmil128 07/23/2020 at 18:10

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It's beautiful. All the right colors and those wheels look great. Consider me jealous. 

Future next gen S2000 owner > bmil128 07/23/2020 at 18:20

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I’m really starting to dig the corresponding Boxsters of that gen.

PyramidHat > bmil128 07/23/2020 at 18:26

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That interior color is gorgeous..

As for the Kenwood head unit,  does it work with steering wheel controls and backup camera?  Looking for an eventual replacement of the head unit in my outback...

Nauraushaun > bmil128 07/23/2020 at 18:27

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Understeer :(

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > bmil128 07/23/2020 at 18:34

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I really liked my ExtremeContact Sports, they were super grippy all the way to the bitter end of their tread life (and then some). They just got really loud towards the end and wore kind of uneven despite regular tire rotations.

All these Cay mans on Oppo have got me itching an itch I can’t scratch. Lol

arl > bmil128 07/23/2020 at 18:38

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She’s a beaut! 

This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: > bmil128 07/23/2020 at 18:38

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Hi. I hate you.

(Not really, but damn I want one)

John Norris (AngryDrifter) > bmil128 07/23/2020 at 18:56

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Nice car, nice photos. Jealous.

I may or may not have said this before.   

Saracen > bmil128 07/23/2020 at 18:57

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Oooooooh Terracotta is so lovely.

Good on you for ditching PCM.  I should have done that from the start.

bmil128 > PyramidHat 07/23/2020 at 18:59

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The MOST unit to connect to the Bose amp has to be upgraded or wired differently but yes it can be done. And yes there are additional inputs for a rearview camera.

Kc1980 > bmil128 07/23/2020 at 19:02

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S.much more beautiful than the Caymans that came after, including the current gen. This is a future classic.

bmil128 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 07/23/2020 at 19:02

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I rented a 2013 Boxster S with PDK for the trip to Rennsport in 2015. Can’t say I notice a huge difference in power delivery but since it was a Turo rental I didn’t really get to thrash it. The 981 interior quality is a step above for sure though.

bmil128 > Nauraushaun 07/23/2020 at 19:03

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The US model cars have neutral to slightly positive front camber to induce slight understeer, while the Euro/ROW cars have negative camber built in.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > bmil128 07/23/2020 at 19:13

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That thing looks spectacular, great color combo too! And nice job with the head unit - many aftermarket jobs look horrible, but especially with that color matching bracket around it this thing looks great.

Definitely very high on the list of my attainable dream cars someday (mostly will be limited by life priorities /garage space/other options I suppose) - where do you see values going on these things?

Porsche Monk > bmil128 07/23/2020 at 19:23

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Ah you’ve done more to your 987 in two months than I have in six years. Tune+head unit... Oh, and clear corners 

Porsche Monk > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 07/23/2020 at 19:26

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My power delivery is pretty damn identical since it’s the same engine as my 987.2S.

The 981 feels nicer inside for sure, and overall more refined. Still, it’s tough to beat the hydraulic steering feel on  the 987.

bmil128 > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 07/23/2020 at 19:31

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It’s hard to say where values go from here . The bang for the buck ratio is pretty high and overall the Cayman S was not built in huge numbers. The only drawback is the quality on a few of the interior pieces coated in rubbery paint.

Nauraushaun > bmil128 07/23/2020 at 19:38

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Oooh, perception of Americans’ driving abilities?

Erv > bmil128 07/23/2020 at 20:14

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Hmmmm.... obsessed with the car, mak ing improvements? So, I’ve had my Lotus Evora GT for a little longer than you’ve had your Cayman and i too am obsessed with the car - but I’ve had no desire to improve it one bit. The car, imho, is perfect. Handles amazing (both on and off track), looks amazing, and sounds amazing. Are you saying that your new Cayman is less than ideal, lacking somewhat? 

John Norris (AngryDrifter) > John Norris (AngryDrifter) 07/23/2020 at 20:22

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... and where did you find that loading dock for Spacely Sprockets?

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > bmil128 07/23/2020 at 20:29

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Love that interior! The 987 is the car that helped me reignite my sports car dreams. What an incredibly well-made, competent and practical sports car.

bmil128 > Erv 07/23/2020 at 20:36

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I spiffed up a 13 year old interior, got an alignment and new wheels. How does that make it sound inadequate ???

Nick Has an Exocet > bmil128 07/23/2020 at 20:57

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It looks great. I need to own one some day.

I put ExtremeContact Sport tires on the F-Type. I like them, but for some reason they keep triggering my traction control before they loose traction. #BritishCarIssues I haven’t found track tires that fit yet.

Captain Cayman... > bmil128 07/23/2020 at 22:04

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Who’s MOST adapter did you go with, and who’s bezel. Familiar with ones on Suncoast Porsche and places like Crutchfield but hear   varying results, especially on the bezel. Yours looks great. Been meaning to do this for a while and about to hit go! Looking good. 

bmil128 > Captain Cayman... 07/23/2020 at 22:31

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I went with CAI-Store.com, not the cheapest but they have specialized in the 986/987/996/997 models. I pro bably spent more than I should have on the Kenwood that I got but it is full wireless CarPlay, some of the other units still require a USB connection. I stream Sirius XM through the phone app rather than adding a satellite tuner.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Porsche Monk 07/23/2020 at 22:37

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Yeah, that’d be my only  concern with the 981.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Nauraushaun 07/23/2020 at 22:39

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No, their litigiousness. 

Thomas Donohue > bmil128 07/23/2020 at 22:43

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Those wheels look fantastic.

(I won’t comment on the satellite radio station......)

glemon > bmil128 07/23/2020 at 23:06

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Oh man, I wish Cayman's would drop in price like Boxsters, I just think they look so much better.  I have nothing against convertibles, and have had them most of my life, but a slick little coupe like that...wouldn't even need an S, have fun.

bmil128 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 07/23/2020 at 23:07

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I think the steering feel argument is overblown, I didn’t think it was that bad in the Boxster I rented and in my daily Audi S4 which also has it, a stiffer sway bar and chassis brace greatly improved the feel.

Nauraushaun > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 07/23/2020 at 23:07

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Haha! A very different angle.

I wonder if this car was built before or after Paul Walker died speeding in a poorly maintained Porsche. An event that saw Porsche sued separately by Paul’s widow, daughter and father.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > bmil128 07/23/2020 at 23:11

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Good to know! 

bmil128 > Nauraushaun 07/23/2020 at 23:12

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From what I have heard all roadgoing Porsches for the US market have less aggressive front camber that only becomes apparent on the track , probably hark ing back to the days of the 911 with the rear torsion bar suspension.

Erv > bmil128 07/23/2020 at 23:19

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Got it , sorry thought you were talking about a new Cayman. So, I’d compare then to my 2005 Elise - the only thing I did to that car was upgrade brake pads and rotor s, and add harnesses. That car was near perfect.

Captain Cayman... > bmil128 07/24/2020 at 00:39

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Thanks for the info, much appreciated.  Enjoy  the Cayman.  Happy owner of an 08’ S.  Great cars. 

M32987 > bmil128 07/24/2020 at 00:46

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I’m glad you are loving the 987. A couple of thoughts:
* Have you looked into the exhaust cross-pipe hack? I did it and it made the exhaust a bit louder and throatier: https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/boxster-cayman/170905-987-stock-exhaust-sound-modification.html
* I read somewhere about improving the Bose sound by removing the speaker cover in the passenger footwell and stuffing batting behind the speaker. I can’t find the link. You may be able to.
* Keep in mind that the 987 is a very approachable platform to work on. Early in my ownership one of the fans in the front bumper failed. Replacing it was a bit of an adventure, but completely doable. When the clutch started to slip, I replaced it (and a bunch of related parts), with the only real tool purchase being an $80 Harbor Freight transmission jack. Air-oil-separator, serpentine belt, oil changes  - no problem.

bmil128 > M32987 07/24/2020 at 10:03

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Between attempts to get the mufflers spread out wide enough I tried it, it definitely added some grunt but found the drone at ~2000 rpm to be a bit much. I find no issues at all with the Bose amp or speakers now, I think it is more a function of the stock head unit and older non-HD technology.

John Russell > Nauraushaun 07/24/2020 at 12:08

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Welker only died because the tires were original equipment and were dry rotted so they disintegrated in a turn. The driver was legit licensed race car driver.  Just rotten tires and misfortune of ending up on top of an exposed natural gas line.  Never keep tires over 5 years.

John Russell > bmil128 07/24/2020 at 12:25

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Arctic Silver with terracotta full leather with carbon fiber pkg including shifter in 2007 987.  Currently at 399,000 miles. Engine ALL original.  Added gt3 intake manifold,  fabspeed headers to stock exhaust,  flashed the chip to about 365bhp.  New sport clutch with lightweight aluminum flywheel was great addition... Spools up a lot quicker! Added bilstein R9 shocks all around.  Very quick... very flat in turns... 0-60 in about 4sec flat. Sounds great... At 5-6k rpms sounds like you're at Sebring.  Has 19" Turbo wheels same as 911 turbo 2007.  Needs a little pait which I'm doing shortly. Will be putting up a video on YouTube.  Bought used from Brumos in 2010. Had the whole driver training experience with Hurley Haywood.   Best car I've ever owned.  Oil chg with full synthetic every 5-6k. Air filter every 10-15k.  No ims issues. This is the 2nd generation engine with double row bearing.  Service at Porsche of Tampa and Vortex Tampa. Classic 987 Most get turned into race cars so not a lot on the street.  Great color combo blue terracotta! ENJOY!

John Russell > Porsche Monk 07/24/2020 at 12:41

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Steering on The 987 is best I've experienced.  Full disclosure... I have had 85.5 944 new, 87 944 turbo >300k when I sold it, 88.5 944 turbo S, and 93 968 which demented driver totaled with my car having 235k on the clock. All great cars... 

bouldergeek > bmil128 07/24/2020 at 13:57

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Looks a lot like my Atlas Gray ‘06, now with still only 35,000 miles. Did you use a cheap optical to analog bridge for the Bose, or the expensive NAV-HUR solution? I have had all of the parts to do a new head unit for two years, but not the time or place to tear it apart.

Just watch for extended oil pump starvation and you should be good to go.

bouldergeek > Erv 07/24/2020 at 14:02

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I have a very similar car to Brian, and I couldn’t resist farkling it. Too much time on Rennlist. I played with the idea of 19" wheels, but kept my 18s for road comfort. But, I did H&R Sport springs, braided steel brake and clutch lines, GT3 brake master cylinder, GT3 brake ducts, F VD Brombacher c atted exhaust & tune, Fabspeed carbon x-pipe, IPD plenum and high flow air filter, short shift kit and Numeric shift cables, just finished new coils and plugs . Now it's ready. Still need to install the stereo.

bouldergeek > bmil128 07/24/2020 at 14:06

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I bought a donor console on RL and made a backyard paint booth. Painted it in Porsche paint code Meteor Gray and clear coated. Works well with my Atlas exterior and stone gray interior.

I also wrapped the soft touch door surround trim in gray alcantara. Painted the AC controls with my exterior touch up paint, looks almost black inside and wears better.  That soft touch stuff sucks.

bouldergeek > bmil128 07/24/2020 at 14:08

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When I did my H&R springs, I had them set the Cayman R alignment settings. With 7/15mm spacers, it drives amazingly. 

bouldergeek > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 07/24/2020 at 14:12

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I rented 981 GTS i n Vegas and 718S at PECLA. The turbo felt significantly more powerful than my modded 987.  The 981 was just all around nicer.

bouldergeek > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 07/24/2020 at 14:16

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Downside of Porsches is staggered wheels. No rotations for Caymans and 911s. Just gotta throw them out when the time comes. I’m on 12,000 miles on my (cheap bastard ) Yokohama all season sports (for Colorado winter use). Still solid, but slide much more than M PSS.

bouldergeek > This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: 07/24/2020 at 14:17

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No time like the present. This winter will probably be a peak time to pick up used toys as the economy crumbles. Caymans are sub $20K now.

bmil128 > bouldergeek 07/24/2020 at 14:50

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I went with the HUR option from CAI-store.com  I could have gone the cheaper route but felt more comfortable about not having issues paying a little more up front.

Nauraushaun > John Russell 07/24/2020 at 18:30

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It wasn’t just rotten tyres and misfortune. If they hadn’t been speeding in a street setting, they wouldn’t have hit a pole. It was the 3 factors - poor maintenance, reckless behavior, and some bad luck.

joelct > bmil128 07/24/2020 at 20:28

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That looks very nice. Round tailpipes look really sharp and so now I don’t like the squares on my ‘06 Cayman-S. I’ll look into that.

The difference in the body shine between your first post and this one is considerable. Did you do anything special, or just wash-n-wax? I ask because mine has been garaged its entire life, but it spent a year not garaged with the previous owner whic h left some problems , and I don’t want to repaint. It looks great until you get up close, and I’m hoping for some magic process to get it looking new again.

Steve in Manhattan > bmil128 07/24/2020 at 22:29

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I like all of this ... and 5 spoke wheels are always appropriate.