Cayman S mods for regular track use

[Mark_Hamilton]

Hello All,

I am considering taking a Cayman S on track fairly regularly next year and would be interested in any information from fellow members on useful modifications for regular track use. All comments and help greatfully received. For example, I hear the power steering in prone to overheating and there are some cooling issues when pushed hard on track. On my current list so far is an LSD and a set of track wheels (Toyo R888 shod). Any feedback greatfully received.

Markhami

 

[milleman]

Tracked mine a few times, not convinced about the need for a LSD (maybe if its wet)-very rarely spins the inside wheel. Have seen a few people use 2nd set of wheels and slicks, maybe makes sense if you are going to track it alot-how do you transport the wheels without a backup van though?, that would be the issue with me. Apart from that they feel great. Enjoy.

 

[sawood12]

I'd wait and see how you get on before going to the expense on investing in an LSD - especially if you are using semi-slick tyres - you are unlikely to run into traction issues much. There is alot of hype about LSD's and often people hang too much significance on them i.e. the whole 'the Cayman would be faster than the 997 if only it had an LSD' argument. Really with the cost of trackdays and fuel these days on top of the extra expense of brake discs, pads and tyres you'll get through tracking you're best off saving your money and using it to fund more trackdays. It's driver skill that makes the biggest difference to lap times and enjoyment and practice makes perfect. These are Porsches - they are basically track-ready out of the box unlike most of the competition e.g. M3's who's brakes are ususlly shot after a couple of hot laps.

 

[Dylan1]

tbh i am prob not a good enough driver to exploit the lsd thing but i know allan from motordrive and jack woods(both on the cayman club website)are mcuh quicker with their quaiffe lsd on trackdays so worth searching threads on that site as jack has written a very good article on its effect.but he is fast even without it!worth getting his opinion tho

 

[Rotorhead]

A cheap Boxster 'S' or Cayman would provide the perfect basis for a brilliant road legal track day toy. I'd want to keep any mods simple and non-invasive. - Obviously the lighter the better, so a basic spec with as much weight removed as possible - Bucket seat and harness - you'll be amazed what a difference this makes - Upgrade brakes - essential for track - Smaller wheels - (17" with Cups or Corsas, etc?). This can lower the car, improve CofG and shorten the gearing Suspension mods and LSD might be nice, but not the priorities, and power upgrades would be the very last thing to consider. Oh, and some tuition would be one of the first considerations I think, when Caymans are under £20k you might see quite a few 'Cayman Club Sports' being created.

 

[mikec]

Balls of steel seem to be the best mod for trackdays[] I've tracked mine twice and thouroghly enjoyed them with no mods. I can only manage a couple a year due to work constraints so mods would be a waste of money for me. I've had to replace the brakes after the 2nd trackday as they were really poor by the end of the day, but still managed a drive from Heathrow to Aberdeen no problem. TBH there was plenty more expensive cars at the trackdays and it gave me plenty satisfaction keeping up with or passing them when I could. The Cayman is fantastic and I doubt the added expense of a few mods would heighten my excitement as much. LSD would make a difference but once the tyres were hot, I actually could tell the difference, I'd really have to be brutal to get any wheelspin. I have heard the power steering oilpump overheats and a different size pulley can be fitted, but I never felt any difference with the steering. It could all depend on how long you intend to stay on track, a few laps and pull in to let things cool down was what I had been told was best. Hope what ever you do, you do enjoy the car.

 

[Mark_Hamilton]

Hello All, Thanks for all your comments. Looks like I will initially buy some track day tyres and see how things progress. I have been driving various 911s (911 SC, 964 C2, 964 RS etc) now for nearly 15 years on and off track and have been really impressed by the Cayman. In my opinion, they have a sense of balance and agility that is not present in the latest 911 variants. Now a Cayman with a GT3 engine and LSD weighing under 1250 kgs would be really interesting !! Markhami

 

[Tess Tickle]

Well, all I can add is that my car is:- lowered with Eibach springs, H&R front & Rear Roll bars, braded hoses with Comp Fluid and competition pads, Solid gearbox Mounts running -2deg rear camber and -1 ½ front camber, Centre Rad…oh yes an a Quaife ATB……….we run a similar pace to a reasonably well driven GT3RS and the diff, contrary to popular belief doesn’t just help in the slow turns where you may in extreme circumstances spin a wheel in a none ATB car but in the much faster stuff where it gives you a lot more confidence in what the car is actually doing. In my humble opinion the cheapest mod after beefing brakes for sure is a set of slicks or depending on conditions Inters /Wets as this has got to be worth between 4 and 10 secs per lap !!!!!! Again as Dylan has suggested try the CaymanClub.net website for further insight ………………..allan

 

[Alan_Armstrong]

Markhami, in my opinion, the first mod to make, which will save you money, is to replace the brake pads with ebc yellow stuff....tracking with stock pads will, 1. wear them out as they will fade on track, 2. will also ruin your discs..an expensive experience!! Look back in previous issues of Porsche Post under the Cayman Register column...Jan/Feb 08 and you will find a couple of reports by a chap called Karel Deeley, who has heavily modded his Cayman for track days.....

 

[Tess Tickle]

Alan, Both Myself and Karel have the same set up Springs/Rollbars etc,- fluid/hoses, I have used various different pads including EBS, SBS, Pagid, and found similar stopping power, but some are much noisier than others under normal driving on the road, until you get them up to temperature. So it finishes up a bit of a compromise

 

[Alan_Armstrong]

Compromise...yes that is what it is....but a little bit of noise verses a large OPC disc & pad bill...if I was taking mine to the track, I know what i'd rather do....[]