As Spring 2017 officially kicks off today, my thoughts inevitably turn towards the track. While race series at Daytona, Sebring, Formula 1 (final testing, at least) and even Goodwood have already commenced, as I look out my window there’s still a layer of snow covering the ground and temperatures have barely crept past freezing. It certainly doesn’t feel like Spring yet, but that doesn’t mean that preparation for heading to the track can’t begin. And though I dearly love tracking my Audi Coupe GT and it’s racked up some serious mileage on the race courses of New England, I can’t help but think that maybe it’s time for something newer. Maybe something like a Porsche Cayman, the “affordable” way into a track-friendly performance Porsche:
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2008 Porsche Cayman S Turbo on eBay
Year: 2008
Model: Cayman S
Engine: 3.4 liter turbocharged flat-6
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Mileage: “3,000” mi
Price: $84,000 Buy It Now
2008 Cayman Turbo S street legal Race car
Color: Gard Red WPOAB29888U782121
Code – L84A
2950 lbs (71 in. Wide / 172 in long)
Motor
3.4 liter engine with 2015 short block and a TPC turbocharger Stage 2
Manual 6-Speed
Suspension
Billstein Performance suspension kit: Gas pressure technology – B 16 PSS9 complete kit
Strut Mounts 9-96-smt
Drivetrain
Short shift kit 987 424 042 12
Short shift cable replace 987 424 042 12
Spec clutch disk 00632232 stage 3+
Spec clutch pressure plate stage 3+ 00612943
OMD stock flywheel 2015
Motor Mount OMD original part 997 375 023 05
TPC racing custom ECU Flash Tune
Engine
Porsche short block 3.4 liter 2015
TPC racing Proprie Turbocharger (capable of 500 horsepower)
AS oil-VAP separator comp. FVD
Porsche Motorsport lines for oil and VAP separator
Oil Pan Porsche “DEP” FVD 207 988 01
ITIP Twin Oil Pump Turbo Technik Pietz
High Performance injectors
High Performance cone filters
Spark Plug 999-170-223-90
3 Radiator 997-044-100-05
Air Routing 987-575-323-01
Retaining Frame 987-505-555-01-01C
TPC Racing Liquid-to-Air Inter-cooler
TPC Racing Custom Molded Silicone tubing
Engine Oil Synth OW40 Mobil Synthetic
999-170 183-90 Spark-plug
TPC Racing 987/986 Turbo Cat-Back Exhaust
TPC Racing Custom Intake Plenum
TPC Racing Custom Turbo and inter-cooler brackets
Air intake duct
Oil feed and return lines
High Flow coolant pump and harness for liquid-to-air inter-cooler
New cylinder Head Studs 12 Point black oxide 204-4707
DEI Titanium Turbo Shields (Blanket) Jegs Part 186-010141
Oil Restrictor Tpc Racing for Turbo
Compressor Bypass Valve Kit Porsche 911 Gt2
Brakes
Pagid Brake 2405 pads E24-052-901-0 RS 29
Pagid Brake 2406 Pads E24-062-901-0 RS 29
Brake Line Kit stainless steel Goodrich 987
Brake Spring kit 2
12 mm Caliper spacers
Control RBF 660 Race brake fluid
GT3 Brake duct spoilers
996/997 Giro-disc Front 344 mm 2-piece Rotor floating
996/997 Giro-disc Rear 325 mm 2-piece Rotor floating
Porsche 90 mm Caliper Bolt
TWR Brake Master Cylinder GT3 997-355-910-30 ECS Tuning
Safety/Interior
2 Sparco Sprint 5 Racing Seats
2 Sparco 3-inch 6 point harness for Hans
2 Sparco Base plate driver and passenger
2 Sparco Seat track set driver and passenger (sliders)
Roll Bar Steel Cayman Club Sport bolt in bar by FVD Brombacher with Harness bar (HEIGO)
Auto FX Fire Extinguisher with mount
Racing Dynamics 993-12-00-006 Sport Pedal set
Steering – steering rack and steering gear
997 347 011 JX Steering Gear
997 Bellows
OMP/MOMO Steering Wheel Hub
Corsica Superleggero OMP Steering Wheel 350 mm Suede Leather yellow Stitching w/ Horn
Aerodynamic and Exterior
Screw In folding tow hook REV2 Rennline
Hero 4 Gopro Mount Rennline
Front Fiberglass spoiler /lip Joe Toth composites
Duraflex Cayman Eros Version 2 Body Kit Wing / Spoiler
Porsche Cayman R Side Rocker Panel Door Vinyl Decals Pair 987
Rear Diffuser/Lip Joe Toth composites
Customcargrills 8 Piece Kit Black
Wheels and Tires
OEM Porsche Cayman 18″ Wheels
Nitto NT01 245 40 18 Front
Nitto NT01 275 40 18 Rear
Electronics
Tandem PRO 2 Chatterbox
TPC Racing Custom Flash Tune
Escort 9500 Passport
Porsche Om PCK Navigation Con-Unit
Braille “Lightweight Racing Battery 11.5 lbs.
Frp Mount for Braille Racing Battery
Duralast 1.5 AMP Battery Maintainer w/ Quick-connect harness
Thanks to a review by Matt Farah, we can see a visual review of the TPC turbo kit. Matt’s big critique was that the engine was fantastic, but that the one he drove needed more brakes to cope with the 400 wheel horsepower. This example has solved that problem, with not only an upgraded suspension and aerodynamic aids, but also bigger brakes from the 911. Additionally, the car has the upgraded seats and safety cage to deal with the GT3-level power. Those modifications cost – a lot – and that is reflected in the price. At $84,000, could you replicate this car? Actually, you might be able to come close. You can now pick up a Cayman S in the $20,000 range. The turbocharger kit costs about $10,000 for the intercooler package. That leaves you with over $50,000 to complete the suspension, brake and safety and aero tweeks to your desire, and I think that’s doable – and leaves you money to upgrade the IMS at the same time. I guess if you want a turn key example that will stick with a GT3 for less money, this will suit your needs. Personally, there are a few details that I’m not thrilled with at the price point and I’d do things differently, save a bit of coin and use that money for more track days. But the theory here is sound, and the results give you 911 Turbo performance in a rear-drive, track-oriented package. Of course, at the end of the day, you could also just buy a 911 Turbo for less and be more comfortable on the way to the track plus not have IMS issues. Come to think of it, that’s probably a much better plan…
-Carter
