I’m an exPorsche technician, before stripping the engine, change the air/oil separator & give the car a good run as the rear silencer is at the moment full of oil THEN… check for bore scoring.
I once spent £15k modifying a brand new showroom fresh Ford Fiesta - the line between genius and madness gets even closer when it comes to that saying and cars . July 2001 of performance Ford magazine- blue fiesta on throttle bodies .
But on the rare occasions I take it out now it's worth every dollar, so much involvement and feedback on and off road. So rewarding to stroke it along a nice piece of mountain tarmac
I have a 2008 Cayman 3.4S. Had it 3 years now, a year ago i twin turbo'd it and it now kicks out 477bhp and 535nm of torque - this gives it a better power to weight ratio than a Porsche GT3 RS. 😊 It stands me at just under 30k and i adore the thing. Cant wait for this build - thanks J for being so honest about just how superb these things are. 👌
This is SO exciting! Please make a ton of content on this car! My 987.1 Cayman S is currently being rebuilt to a 4.1 liter turbo setup at Hartech's USA partner, Slakker. Yes.... I'm American haha
@@usmanfarooq96 I can’t speak to Hartech’s rates since I’m going through their USA partner, Slakker Racing. However on Slakker’s site, a 3.4 to 4.1 liter rebuild is $26,750 and is the most expensive option. Mine is even more due to the turbo kit and thus some more custom work that has to be done. The other builds on their site are closer to $22,000. That said, Slakker/Hartech are delivering a fully built race car motor, so they offer far more value than a stock rebuild from some of the other players in the industry that start at $32k.
Porsche restomods by Singer and Theon are gorgeous but they’re brand new Ferrari SF90 money. For yours I suggest 4.1 litres with a sports exhaust, KW or Bilstein coil overs, Michelin Pilot 4S tyres and keep the body as original as possible.
If you bring SF90 money to Theon and Singer you'd be laughed at. Nowadays you'd have to prepare 812 Competizione money as a starting point. Not MSRP money. Current market price money. That's how stupid ridiculous things has become these days...
The 987.1 S is easily the best value Porsche ever made. A LSD (has an open diff stock) and shorter gearing would make it perfect. This is going to be a great series.
I dunno. You can get a 3.2 986 for about half the money, maybe less, and it's a fair bit less risky engine wise. In some ways, the 986 is the sweeter drive. Ultimately, I prefer the 987, but the 986 is definitely better in some ways and some people will prefer it to drive. It's a close call ignoring the money. Factor in lower pricing and lower engine risk and I'd say on opure value terms, the 986 is the best value Porsche ever.
Don’t lower it. Install Bilstein B6 struts, replace the lower control arms and steering tie rods, install urethane sway bar bushing with new end links. I did all this to my same year 2.7 Boxster with 100k miles and it’s fantastic, almost magic. Replace the shifter cables too, especially on the six speed. Call me a bad American, but I love the 2.7 with the low gearing and it’s plenty fast and sounds great.
If the car is still on the original suspension then just restoring it to factory new with the B6 struts will make an enormous difference. I would do that before any kind of suspension modifications.
I just bought a 987.2 Black Edition with almost every option there is after watching your videos on this car. :) Very eager to see what your going to do to your Cayman. :)
The Jag F Pace is the best Looking all Rounder and reliable 👍👍 Porsche engine is no better than a Subaru engine. Gravity always wins, you cannot stop bore wear on a flat 4/6 engine. The lower bore always gets worn and it turns into an oval shape. You will need to bore the cylinders 0.5mm possibly more, so new oversized pistons are Required Jay. While the head is off be a good idea to get it ported and polished and change valve stem seals.
I do believe I’m in agreement with you. I’ve owned 5 Boxsters over the years and 2 911s. And I think the mid engined platform is superior. Even Porsche admitted it by making their ultimate 911 race car into a mid engined car - the GT3R. Can’t see how you can get to where you want on your budget though.
Really nice! This´ll be interesting! I´d like to Safari-convert a 4wd 996/997 convertible, with a Hartech-conversion to make it dependable. That maschine would then be used as an overland capable travel tool for my 4-5 week long European tours.
I have 987.1 with 2.7 engine in Poland as a weekend car. Tempt visit Bolton. I can't wait to see the final result of your modification. Fingers crossed, great idea!
Performance mods I've done to my 987.2 Cayman (excluding engine mods since you have that sorted): Öhlins Road & Track coilovers (aligned & set-up by professionals), Cobra Nogaro bucketseats, PCCB master cylinder, steel braided brake lines, GT3 brake ducts, Endless pads & fluid, FF-1 engine mount, Rohler semi-solid gearbox mounts, FVD short shift kit, Numeric Racing shifter cables, Heregoes 8" Carplay & Infotainment (Aliexpress unit), 997research Autolight. I can recommend all those mods! Which ones stand out most? - High quality dampers makes a huge difference, so Öhlins in my case transformed the car. - A stronger GT3 or PCCB made a huge difference to the brake feel, not too expensive. If you'll take the car to the track occasionally, or just ride it hard, better pads & cooling etc is key. - The Aliexpress infotainment actually works and looks great! Super pleased with the up-to-date looks and functions. - New engine mount (just OEM as well) freshened up the tightness of my car a lot. Just aging basically. Mounted a slightly stiffer add-on from FF-1 (softest they had out of three though) which helped making it feel even better without ruining NVH. - Shortshifter is a must as well on this gearbox IMO. Stronger cables as well. The cables can be a bit noisier, but put some extra sound deadening in the transmission tunnel is better the before. Good luck with the project! Looking forward to follow the journey! Best regards Rikard
Nice! Ducktail rear spoiler, bigger side air scoops and a different front! Maybe some after marked headlights that are black inside, modern rear led lights.
I wouldn't dream of owning a 911 without a DUCKTAIL.. IMO, thats what makes the car. I'm now running to google 'cayman ducktail' as I'd not even heard of this...
ok.. some are lovely some are a complete mess. It all comes down to which one you go for. Wouldn't say it was as essential on a cayman as it is on a 911, having seen a few gooduns now though I probably would.
Great pick for a project car! I had a 2008 Cayman S and tracked it for many years. It did start to get a bit baggy in the engine department so I traded it in on another one of Jay's favourites, a 2018 Lotus Evora 400. I'll be interested to follow this transformation - Jay you have great taste in sportscars!
I'm very excited to see this! I have a Cayman 987.1s with quite a few mods that I would recommend to you, but it's still a long way to go. When I can, I intend to have the same engine rebuilt at Hartech as you. Here it goes: Numeric racing shifter + cables with function first shift knob wavetrac lsd + recommended oil bigger brake master cylinder + steel cables wheel spacers a proper catback exhaust IPD plenum + gt3 throttle body and racing air filter New suspension of your liking, control arms, etc. Bilstein B16 keeps the PASM RSS transition mounts + engine mounts PAGID Racing Brakes pads + race brake oil Recaro pole position abe The new Porsche radio + upgrade stereo Plasma coils and iridium spark plugs FVD baffled oil sump The smaller 997.1 gt3 Alcantara steering wheel will be perfect if you are concerned about having an airbag, otherwise Momo Motorsport Air Oil Separator What are you doing about those wheels? The original 19 Carrera sport rims with Michelin Pilot Sport 4s would be perfect for that weather Aesthetically, I recommend removing the lettering in the back and having it detailed in and out. No body kits, no wings, nothing. Keep it discreet; less is more. I like www.design911.co.uk/ , they would be a good partner. Looking forward
Genius having been watching RUclips for a number of years and getting bored with buying my new car putting a new exhaust,wheels etc.And then discovering Matt Armstrong and the like rekindling my interest Also being a big Porsche fan . And now you come along and come up with a perfect project. And to put a topping on it I’m a Cayman owner like I said Genius
Way to go sun shine, was thinking of a Boxter LS swap for myself. Got a new job 1st of July working at Koenigsegg. Eager to see what you make of the Cayman. Good luck.
My opinion. When I was about to buy a Porsche I wanted one that is the best for track. For around 30k EUR. I tested both 981.1 and 981.2 and 996. On paper the 981.2 is the best. But when I found a old but wonderful 996.1 with GT3 body. The feeling in a 996 is something totaly different than the feeling you get in a Cayman. 996s are cool and big and old and make noise. They seem loose on the road when you floor the gaspedal and makes you think the back will swing out but somehow that never happens no matter how hard or fast you drive. 981s are small and charp and a bit boring if you ask me. Not much drama. Its best to get the car You want. Not one that anybody else wants.
Very nice. I have a heavily modified 2006 Cayman S I picked up bone stock with 48k miles 2 years ago. It is now paired with my 2017 Turbo S. My engine is original and in mint condition but I got on Jake Raby’s waiting list for a 3.8 upgrade anyway. I am strongly thinking of going with Hartech for the 4.1 eventually as an elective option. Most important stuff is check that AOS. Check the coil packs, fuel injectors and water pump. Consider the Gt3 master brake cylinder to firm up the brake feel. Consider a short throw shifter like Numeric. I also have the Wavetrac lsd, IPD plenum, Soul exhaust and a softtronic tune. Parts I have already but not installed are soul long tube headers and a light weight single mass flywheel. I also have the classic head unit from Porsche with apple car play so it looks perfectly stock. Finally my car has pasm so I threw on the DSC sports controller. That controller and the head unit are my favorite mods followed closely by the exhaust.
I owned a 2.7ltr 987.1 for 10 years. The 2.7 doesn't suffer from the same afflictions the 3.4 does and for me it made the better choice as an everyday driver. I didn't spend money upgrading the engine as Hartech don't do upgrades to the 2.7 so I spent money on the suspension instead, I replaced every component from the shock top mounts to the anti-roll bars, every suspension link, all genuine Porsche. The only part that weren't Porsche standard fit were the Bilstein B16 coil overs so I could also lower the car slightly. All that transformed the cars handling. I'm pretty sure that when Jay has got his 4.1ltr engine he's going to have to upgrade the suspension to match, and probably brakes too. It's a financial rabbit hole.
Looking forward to this series. I've got the same thing, 2007, with the same mileage and it's in really good shape, a few good options, and no scoring. I am putting some money aside to keep this car going for a very long time. It's fantastic.
Recommendations for brake upgrades whilst retaining the original calipers: - Gt3 brake master cylinder (makes a huge difference to pedal feel) - Pagid RS 42 pads (or similar) - Giro disc oversized 2 piece rotors - steel hoses - performance friction 666 brake fluid (or similar) - gt3 brake ducts I’ve had my 987.2 s for 10 years and use it for holidays and track days. Absolutely love it and can’t wait to watch your journey with this one 😊
Really looking forward to this build, had one of these when I was 22, it was my dream car but if I'm honest spent more time polishing it than driving it as I was a bit too young at the time and it was a big investment back then. Now if I bought one, I would drive it like I stole it
circumstances meant i had to watch this with subtitles and imagine the enthusiasm pouring out of you....great project and hopefully an encouragement to keep people buying the cheap 'dead' vehicles that do need money spendign on them but will prove to be worthwhile. hope you keep the budget in check and dont just loose control.
Brilliant, I see the Hartech guys going to work everyday, this sounds like an Epic project, I'm excited to follow this journey, not often do I see my hometown in a car video
New clutch with lightweight single mass flywheel. Under acceleration it provides what feels like a boost in horsepower, because the engine revs faster. It also makes the gearbox rattle like a GT RS at idle. Which is cool. I know this, because I did it to my 987.1 Boxster S.
Your dream, go for it!!! Not a Cayman fan myself but I've considered a Boxter project just to have a cheap track car. Enjoy and look forward to the future videos
I remember that ticking noise very well. The stuff of nightmares if you already own the car but the stuff of dreams if you are buying into it knowing it needs a rebuild. Nice find and you will love the 4.1L. Awesome piece of design and engineering by Barry and the team
aaand I'm all in on this build. I have a 987.1 with (fortunately) no issues but if it ever DOES develop a problem I'm going to be taking a lot of notes on how to fix it up to be a forever car.
OOoh! This has the familiar story of 'Well since I've gone this far I may as well ......' , and then it becomes like a leaf blower to your bank account.
Cayman and Boxster are so overlooked, good choice sir, engine is in the right place. Total snobbery issue. Those plastic coated pistons may need looking at 😊
They are not overlooked. Ordinary people don't have money for Hartech engines to fix something that should've been fixed from factory in 1999 when it first became evident engineering is flawed
Brilliant idea and in the right hands . I'll be glued to the updates. I think if I were doing similar I'd be starting with what I wanted the finished car to do before I was looking at specific aspects of spec. Do you want this to be a great track car or a super road driver or, dare I say it, the one that provides the most attractive You Tube content?? Wichever, I'm sure it will be an adictive watch
Have been wanting to do this exact thing for a few years now. FYI most 997 gen parts bolt on, this includes things like GT2/GT3/Turbo brakes, suspension bits etc. 997 GT3 front bumper paired with a GT4 style wing on the back make these look great as well.
Looking forward to the outcome James as im a Cayman 987.1 owner just done Cayman R springs with Bilstein B8s Handles lovely not to harsh . Im excited to see that 4.1 going in .
Literally had an idea similar to this in my head, maybe go for a slightly more agressive front bumper and as it's black; give it bronze wheels with matching colour porsche decals on each side, clean up the head lights and some interesting rear tail lights, and maybe add a ducktail spoiler and change the side vents with your own custom design where they can scoop more air or something from aftermarket options.
Bore score and 7 years ago Porsche brought forth on this continent, a new car, conceived on budget and dedicated to the proposition that all tires should be loaded equal.
Excited to follow this. I’m about to embark on a similar journey, but my “donor” is a recently acquired 40AE that I thought was in perfect condition. I recently found bore scoring, so we’re building out to 4.0!
Nice option Jay. I've got a early 987.1 Cayman S. It had a new engine in 2018, and I've put Cayman R suspension and a quaife LSD in it. It's a fantastic car!
The Cayman is my favourite Porsche James … I’m looking forward to following this car and I’m looking forward to eventually seeing the venerable S2000 !
This was a great idea. Show us everything and be sure to tell us all of the costs. The car you will get for £40K ($51K US) you will have an amazing car for relative peanuts. The Boxster S was 60% 911, so with a bigger engine and some other tweaks you will have an amazing car on a budget. Thanks. Give us all the details .....
I'd like to do something similar with a 981. I prefer the styling and the chassis is a leap forward... that said... I don't have a bottomless pit of money to do it! Looking forward to seeing your progress Jay.
There's an American company that sell's closer ratio gear cog's or the entire transmission for that car . They did Matt Farah's Cayman . They say with just the trans it really improves driving enjoyment . I think it's in the North East somewhere .
This is very exciting indeed and truly interesting to follow! I have the same plan in my head but for the Boxster, great that you go first! DasCayman on RUclips have done quite a bit to his 987.2 Spyder so could recommend as inspiration. My dream recipe: - 4.1l - ITBs, individual throttle bodies - light light flywheel/clutch package (for my manual gearbox Panamera V8 I cut weight in half and smaller diameter clutch) - D2 three way coils, tried Bilstein and others but D2 is cut above and tremendous bang for buck. - bushings I normally think new oem are good for street use - brakes, usually fine with bluestuff pads or similar and a good oil, braided brake lines - lightweight wheels with wider front wheels to reduce understeer. On my former 996 I ran square on my winter tire set, damn that was great fun and nicely balanced with oversteer available on demand - Valved exhaust, I like to be able to go between properly silent and loud as hell, made three stages on my Panamera, silent, immature loud, asshole loud Good luck and will follow with great interest!!!
I recommend front radiator grilles from radiatorgrillstore, I have them on my 2011 Cayman. They look nice, almost like the could have been OEM, and provides good protection for the AC condenser.
Two presents in one day. Jonny Smith and his 2CV and now here is the Cayman rebuild. Looking forward to this story as it twists and turns. A great plot for all car nutters. Well done.
I’m an exPorsche technician, before stripping the engine, change the air/oil separator & give the car a good run as the rear silencer is at the moment full of oil
THEN… check for bore scoring.
YOU BASED MADMAN! 4.1 IN A CAYMAN SOUNDS GLORIOUS!
In US there are 4.5 in them
8841 BHP FTW!
This could get interesting 😂
Or... 425 WHP Coyote-Swapped Porsche Cayman by Limitless Motorworks - One Take
I once spent £15k modifying a brand new showroom fresh Ford Fiesta - the line between genius and madness gets even closer when it comes to that saying and cars . July 2001 of performance Ford magazine- blue fiesta on throttle bodies .
I just dumped close to £8k into a 21 yo Mini. I'm still sane! I've been tested! 🤣
@@8draco8 Two text book cases of man maths if I ever seen them
You were nowhere near such lines from the start. You were so far from the line, the line was a dot.
I've spent so much on my discovery 2A that I stopped counting a long time ago 😂
But on the rare occasions I take it out now it's worth every dollar, so much involvement and feedback on and off road. So rewarding to stroke it along a nice piece of mountain tarmac
I have a 2008 Cayman 3.4S.
Had it 3 years now, a year ago i twin turbo'd it and it now kicks out 477bhp and 535nm of torque - this gives it a better power to weight ratio than a Porsche GT3 RS. 😊
It stands me at just under 30k and i adore the thing.
Cant wait for this build - thanks J for being so honest about just how superb these things are. 👌
Who does twin turbos on these cars? I have a 987.1 S in the USA.
MRN Race Technologies are the only twin turbo for these as far as i know
Looking forward to this
It’s just an oil air separator. I just did one replacement with my pops. It’s less than $300.
Woah, need to get that on the channel for James to drive!
THIS is going to be an INTERESTING series! ...Separate playlist? ...AND notifications?
This is SO exciting! Please make a ton of content on this car!
My 987.1 Cayman S is currently being rebuilt to a 4.1 liter turbo setup at Hartech's USA partner, Slakker. Yes.... I'm American haha
how much does the rebuild cost? jay will get influencer rates so would like normal people figures
@@usmanfarooq96 I can’t speak to Hartech’s rates since I’m going through their USA partner, Slakker Racing. However on Slakker’s site, a 3.4 to 4.1 liter rebuild is $26,750 and is the most expensive option. Mine is even more due to the turbo kit and thus some more custom work that has to be done.
The other builds on their site are closer to $22,000. That said, Slakker/Hartech are delivering a fully built race car motor, so they offer far more value than a stock rebuild from some of the other players in the industry that start at $32k.
That sounds awesome!
Porsche restomods by Singer and Theon are gorgeous but they’re brand new Ferrari SF90 money. For yours I suggest 4.1 litres with a sports exhaust, KW or Bilstein coil overs, Michelin Pilot 4S tyres and keep the body as original as possible.
They're a lot more than SF90 money!
If you bring SF90 money to Theon and Singer you'd be laughed at. Nowadays you'd have to prepare 812 Competizione money as a starting point. Not MSRP money. Current market price money. That's how stupid ridiculous things has become these days...
@@JayEmmOnCars Blimey! A rich man’s toy???
*Sticks out pinky* ONE MILLION DOLLORS
The 987.1 S is easily the best value Porsche ever made. A LSD (has an open diff stock) and shorter gearing would make it perfect. This is going to be a great series.
I dunno. You can get a 3.2 986 for about half the money, maybe less, and it's a fair bit less risky engine wise. In some ways, the 986 is the sweeter drive. Ultimately, I prefer the 987, but the 986 is definitely better in some ways and some people will prefer it to drive. It's a close call ignoring the money. Factor in lower pricing and lower engine risk and I'd say on opure value terms, the 986 is the best value Porsche ever.
981 owner here.. Caymans for the win! A 4.1L will be epic!
Very, very much looking forward to watching the journey Jay takes with this project. May the force (Mr. Emm)… be with you!
Don’t lower it. Install Bilstein B6 struts, replace the lower control arms and steering tie rods, install urethane sway bar bushing with new end links. I did all this to my same year 2.7 Boxster with 100k miles and it’s fantastic, almost magic. Replace the shifter cables too, especially on the six speed. Call me a bad American, but I love the 2.7 with the low gearing and it’s plenty fast and sounds great.
If the car is still on the original suspension then just restoring it to factory new with the B6 struts will make an enormous difference. I would do that before any kind of suspension modifications.
I just bought a 987.2 Black Edition with almost every option there is after watching your videos on this car. :) Very eager to see what your going to do to your Cayman. :)
The Jag F Pace is the best Looking all Rounder and reliable 👍👍 Porsche engine is no better than a Subaru engine. Gravity always wins, you cannot stop bore wear on a flat 4/6 engine.
The lower bore always gets worn and it turns into an oval shape.
You will need to bore the cylinders 0.5mm possibly more, so new oversized pistons are Required Jay. While the head is off be a good idea to get it ported and polished and change valve stem seals.
I do believe I’m in agreement with you. I’ve owned 5 Boxsters over the years and 2 911s. And I think the mid engined platform is superior. Even Porsche admitted it by making their ultimate 911 race car into a mid engined car - the GT3R. Can’t see how you can get to where you want on your budget though.
Really nice! This´ll be interesting!
I´d like to Safari-convert a 4wd 996/997 convertible, with a Hartech-conversion to make it dependable.
That maschine would then be used as an overland capable travel tool for my 4-5 week long European tours.
I have 987.1 with 2.7 engine in Poland as a weekend car.
Tempt visit Bolton.
I can't wait to see the final result of your modification. Fingers crossed, great idea!
Performance mods I've done to my 987.2 Cayman (excluding engine mods since you have that sorted): Öhlins Road & Track coilovers (aligned & set-up by professionals), Cobra Nogaro bucketseats, PCCB master cylinder, steel braided brake lines, GT3 brake ducts, Endless pads & fluid, FF-1 engine mount, Rohler semi-solid gearbox mounts, FVD short shift kit, Numeric Racing shifter cables, Heregoes 8" Carplay & Infotainment (Aliexpress unit), 997research Autolight.
I can recommend all those mods! Which ones stand out most?
- High quality dampers makes a huge difference, so Öhlins in my case transformed the car.
- A stronger GT3 or PCCB made a huge difference to the brake feel, not too expensive. If you'll take the car to the track occasionally, or just ride it hard, better pads & cooling etc is key.
- The Aliexpress infotainment actually works and looks great! Super pleased with the up-to-date looks and functions.
- New engine mount (just OEM as well) freshened up the tightness of my car a lot. Just aging basically. Mounted a slightly stiffer add-on from FF-1 (softest they had out of three though) which helped making it feel even better without ruining NVH.
- Shortshifter is a must as well on this gearbox IMO. Stronger cables as well. The cables can be a bit noisier, but put some extra sound deadening in the transmission tunnel is better the before.
Good luck with the project! Looking forward to follow the journey!
Best regards Rikard
This is going to be epic! Can’t wait to see it done.
Nice! Ducktail rear spoiler, bigger side air scoops and a different front! Maybe some after marked headlights that are black inside, modern rear led lights.
I wouldn't dream of owning a 911 without a DUCKTAIL.. IMO, thats what makes the car. I'm now running to google 'cayman ducktail' as I'd not even heard of this...
ok.. some are lovely some are a complete mess. It all comes down to which one you go for. Wouldn't say it was as essential on a cayman as it is on a 911, having seen a few gooduns now though I probably would.
Great pick for a project car! I had a 2008 Cayman S and tracked it for many years. It did start to get a bit baggy in the engine department so I traded it in on another one of Jay's favourites, a 2018 Lotus Evora 400. I'll be interested to follow this transformation - Jay you have great taste in sportscars!
Excited to see this build, love my 987.1 and excited to see how a 4.1 would do in this amazing platform.
I'm very excited to see this! I have a Cayman 987.1s with quite a few mods that I would recommend to you, but it's still a long way to go. When I can, I intend to have the same engine rebuilt at Hartech as you.
Here it goes:
Numeric racing shifter + cables with function first shift knob
wavetrac lsd + recommended oil
bigger brake master cylinder + steel cables
wheel spacers
a proper catback exhaust
IPD plenum + gt3 throttle body and racing air filter
New suspension of your liking, control arms, etc. Bilstein B16 keeps the PASM
RSS transition mounts + engine mounts
PAGID Racing Brakes pads + race brake oil
Recaro pole position abe
The new Porsche radio + upgrade stereo
Plasma coils and iridium spark plugs
FVD baffled oil sump
The smaller 997.1 gt3 Alcantara steering wheel will be perfect if you are concerned about having an airbag, otherwise Momo
Motorsport Air Oil Separator
What are you doing about those wheels? The original 19 Carrera sport rims with Michelin Pilot Sport 4s would be perfect for that weather
Aesthetically, I recommend removing the lettering in the back and having it detailed in and out. No body kits, no wings, nothing. Keep it discreet; less is more.
I like www.design911.co.uk/ , they would be a good partner.
Looking forward
I've owned both the 911 and Cayman, and just bought another Cayman. As someone who prefers a drivers car, the Cayman wins.
I had a pair of 996 911s, a 986 Boxster, and a 987 Cayman S. As much as I loved the 911s and the Boxster, the Cayman was my favorite of the bunch.
I owned a 987.2 Cayman S and in the handling department, it was/is on a different level to a 911...
Plus nobody calls you unprintable names...
Genius having been watching RUclips for a number of years and getting bored with buying my new car putting a new exhaust,wheels etc.And then discovering Matt Armstrong and the like rekindling my interest Also being a big Porsche fan . And now you come along and come up with a perfect project. And to put a topping on it I’m a Cayman owner like I said Genius
Way to go sun shine, was thinking of a Boxter LS swap for myself. Got a new job 1st of July working at Koenigsegg. Eager to see what you make of the Cayman. Good luck.
My opinion. When I was about to buy a Porsche I wanted one that is the best for track. For around 30k EUR. I tested both 981.1 and 981.2 and 996. On paper the 981.2 is the best. But when I found a old but wonderful 996.1 with GT3 body. The feeling in a 996 is something totaly different than the feeling you get in a Cayman. 996s are cool and big and old and make noise. They seem loose on the road when you floor the gaspedal and makes you think the back will swing out but somehow that never happens no matter how hard or fast you drive. 981s are small and charp and a bit boring if you ask me. Not much drama. Its best to get the car You want. Not one that anybody else wants.
So excited about your project - looking forward to MANY updates! ❤
Very nice. I have a heavily modified 2006 Cayman S I picked up bone stock with 48k miles 2 years ago. It is now paired with my 2017 Turbo S. My engine is original and in mint condition but I got on Jake Raby’s waiting list for a 3.8 upgrade anyway. I am strongly thinking of going with Hartech for the 4.1 eventually as an elective option. Most important stuff is check that AOS. Check the coil packs, fuel injectors and water pump. Consider the Gt3 master brake cylinder to firm up the brake feel. Consider a short throw shifter like Numeric. I also have the Wavetrac lsd, IPD plenum, Soul exhaust and a softtronic tune. Parts I have already but not installed are soul long tube headers and a light weight single mass flywheel. I also have the classic head unit from Porsche with apple car play so it looks perfectly stock. Finally my car has pasm so I threw on the DSC sports controller. That controller and the head unit are my favorite mods followed closely by the exhaust.
I owned a 2.7ltr 987.1 for 10 years. The 2.7 doesn't suffer from the same afflictions the 3.4 does and for me it made the better choice as an everyday driver. I didn't spend money upgrading the engine as Hartech don't do upgrades to the 2.7 so I spent money on the suspension instead, I replaced every component from the shock top mounts to the anti-roll bars, every suspension link, all genuine Porsche. The only part that weren't Porsche standard fit were the Bilstein B16 coil overs so I could also lower the car slightly. All that transformed the cars handling. I'm pretty sure that when Jay has got his 4.1ltr engine he's going to have to upgrade the suspension to match, and probably brakes too. It's a financial rabbit hole.
Looking forward to this series. I've got the same thing, 2007, with the same mileage and it's in really good shape, a few good options, and no scoring. I am putting some money aside to keep this car going for a very long time. It's fantastic.
Yes James! Yes!!!!!
Recommendations for brake upgrades whilst retaining the original calipers:
- Gt3 brake master cylinder (makes a huge difference to pedal feel)
- Pagid RS 42 pads (or similar)
- Giro disc oversized 2 piece rotors
- steel hoses
- performance friction 666 brake fluid (or similar)
- gt3 brake ducts
I’ve had my 987.2 s for 10 years and use it for holidays and track days. Absolutely love it and can’t wait to watch your journey with this one 😊
Very exciting, ive always loved the look of the cayman... john
I cannot wait to see what you do with this Cayman!! certainly worth keeping too.
Really looking forward to this build, had one of these when I was 22, it was my dream car but if I'm honest spent more time polishing it than driving it as I was a bit too young at the time and it was a big investment back then. Now if I bought one, I would drive it like I stole it
circumstances meant i had to watch this with subtitles and imagine the enthusiasm pouring out of you....great project and hopefully an encouragement to keep people buying the cheap 'dead' vehicles that do need money spendign on them but will prove to be worthwhile. hope you keep the budget in check and dont just loose control.
Brilliant, I see the Hartech guys going to work everyday, this sounds like an Epic project, I'm excited to follow this journey, not often do I see my hometown in a car video
You're doing exactly what I wanted to do with mine! Can't wait to see progress on this
My 2024 Boxster GTS arrives here in Aust on the 16th Aug, will be following this with interest
New clutch with lightweight single mass flywheel. Under acceleration it provides what feels like a boost in horsepower, because the engine revs faster. It also makes the gearbox rattle like a GT RS at idle. Which is cool. I know this, because I did it to my 987.1 Boxster S.
I went out and started my 986 S during the video. It is such an honest drive, so satisfying. A 987 Cayman S is a car I would love to own. Good luck!
Jay your content and your channel just gets better and better !
What a brilliant idea !
I’m really really looking forward to the updates. Good luck Jay.
Good call - the 987 chassis is very rigid ~ 31,500N/deg. Great platform to build from.
Your dream, go for it!!! Not a Cayman fan myself but I've considered a Boxter project just to have a cheap track car.
Enjoy and look forward to the future videos
I remember that ticking noise very well. The stuff of nightmares if you already own the car but the stuff of dreams if you are buying into it knowing it needs a rebuild. Nice find and you will love the 4.1L. Awesome piece of design and engineering by Barry and the team
aaand I'm all in on this build. I have a 987.1 with (fortunately) no issues but if it ever DOES develop a problem I'm going to be taking a lot of notes on how to fix it up to be a forever car.
I did enjoy the video about Hartech. So I’m looking forward to the progress with this. Good luck James
James! This is the project I have been waiting for…how very exciting! Congratulations on your purchase and I eagerly awaiting updates on this. 👍🏻👌🏻
So happy for you, that you can build your ideal car! Fantastic idea, you are doing the right thing 👍
OOoh! This has the familiar story of 'Well since I've gone this far I may as well ......' , and then it becomes like a leaf blower to your bank account.
Cayman and Boxster are so overlooked, good choice sir, engine is in the right place. Total snobbery issue.
Those plastic coated pistons may need looking at 😊
They are not overlooked. Ordinary people don't have money for Hartech engines to fix something that should've been fixed from factory in 1999 when it first became evident engineering is flawed
Very exciting. I look forward to watching the journey.
Brilliant idea and in the right hands . I'll be glued to the updates. I think if I were doing similar I'd be starting with what I wanted the finished car to do before I was looking at specific aspects of spec. Do you want this to be a great track car or a super road driver or, dare I say it, the one that provides the most attractive You Tube content?? Wichever, I'm sure it will be an adictive watch
Looking forward to the rest of this story 👍😎
Have been wanting to do this exact thing for a few years now. FYI most 997 gen parts bolt on, this includes things like GT2/GT3/Turbo brakes, suspension bits etc. 997 GT3 front bumper paired with a GT4 style wing on the back make these look great as well.
Absolutely awesome James. I’m really excited for you and can’t wait to follow this build. This is going to be wicked. Well done 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻
OMG… it’s a Cayman! Nice!!!
Looking forward to the outcome James as im a Cayman 987.1 owner just done Cayman R springs with Bilstein B8s Handles lovely not to harsh . Im excited to see that 4.1 going in .
Literally had an idea similar to this in my head, maybe go for a slightly more agressive front bumper and as it's black; give it bronze wheels with matching colour porsche decals on each side, clean up the head lights and some interesting rear tail lights, and maybe add a ducktail spoiler and change the side vents with your own custom design where they can scoop more air or something from aftermarket options.
Oh this is going to be a very good series of videos. Can’t wait!
Bore score and 7 years ago Porsche brought forth on this continent, a new car, conceived on budget and dedicated to the proposition that all tires should be loaded equal.
I think I am gonna like this journey ! Fabulous fresh new content. ❤
Way to go! What an awesome choice looking forward to this series. Let’s hope it goes easier for you than the Celica.
Try changing the air oil separator first
Love the Cayman as long as you sort out its engine foibles. Good call.
Exciting times ahead. Nice one James.
Excited to follow this. I’m about to embark on a similar journey, but my “donor” is a recently acquired 40AE that I thought was in perfect condition. I recently found bore scoring, so we’re building out to 4.0!
Well done on the purchase, excited to see how this one progresses!
As soon as you said 4.1 I knew where this was going. Looking forward to this Jay, good call 🤙
Nice option Jay. I've got a early 987.1 Cayman S. It had a new engine in 2018, and I've put Cayman R suspension and a quaife LSD in it. It's a fantastic car!
The Cayman is my favourite Porsche James … I’m looking forward to following this car and I’m looking forward to eventually seeing the venerable S2000 !
Short shift kit worth looking at.
This was a great idea. Show us everything and be sure to tell us all of the costs. The car you will get for £40K ($51K US) you will have an amazing car for relative peanuts. The Boxster S was 60% 911, so with a bigger engine and some other tweaks you will have an amazing car on a budget. Thanks. Give us all the details .....
If i was going to do a build, this would be it!! I can't wait to see this series.
Keep the body looking plain and stock, a nice sleeper is a great car to own and drive
I'd like to do something similar with a 981. I prefer the styling and the chassis is a leap forward... that said... I don't have a bottomless pit of money to do it! Looking forward to seeing your progress Jay.
I had my 997 4s motor rebuilt by Hartech. Brilliant company!
Looking forward to your build with the Cayman.
Love a good build series! Hope this one doesn’t get bogged down like the S2000.
Glorious to see this! I bought my 987.1 Cayman S after one of your videos.
Hell ya! My current Cayman 987.1 base manual is in way too good stock condition to do anything but drive but I'll be here for every episode.👍
There's an American company that sell's closer ratio gear cog's or the entire transmission for that car . They did Matt Farah's Cayman . They say with just the trans it really improves driving enjoyment . I think it's in the North East somewhere .
These things are always such small volume projects that they cost way more thaan you'd think. A pity.
@@ian_987 Yep . I figured he's pulling the engine out anyways .
Not for this car. Different gearbox to the one in Farah's much newer Cayman. Megabucks, anyway, totally cost prohibitive for a car like this.
Looking forward to this build, good look!!
This is going to be epic! I hope for some visual upgrades, but not too OTT... OEM+ style would be good.
Adore my 987.1, so looking forward to this series, doing the stuff of dreams!
I replaced the suspension with BC Racing and love it, you should get the Turbo kit too 😈
Man this is going to be great! I am jealous for all the right reasons. Good luck with the build.
This is very exciting indeed and truly interesting to follow! I have the same plan in my head but for the Boxster, great that you go first!
DasCayman on RUclips have done quite a bit to his 987.2 Spyder so could recommend as inspiration.
My dream recipe:
- 4.1l
- ITBs, individual throttle bodies
- light light flywheel/clutch package (for my manual gearbox Panamera V8 I cut weight in half and smaller diameter clutch)
- D2 three way coils, tried Bilstein and others but D2 is cut above and tremendous bang for buck.
- bushings I normally think new oem are good for street use
- brakes, usually fine with bluestuff pads or similar and a good oil, braided brake lines
- lightweight wheels with wider front wheels to reduce understeer. On my former 996 I ran square on my winter tire set, damn that was great fun and nicely balanced with oversteer available on demand
- Valved exhaust, I like to be able to go between properly silent and loud as hell, made three stages on my Panamera, silent, immature loud, asshole loud
Good luck and will follow with great interest!!!
This sounds fantastic - really looking forward to this as it's something I'd like to do.
I recommend front radiator grilles from radiatorgrillstore, I have them on my 2011 Cayman.
They look nice, almost like the could have been OEM, and provides good protection for the AC condenser.
This is great. Can’t wait to see how you get on.
Oooo this sounds like an amazing idea James, can't wait to see more on it 😊😊
Evil grin at 5:47. 😁
This is a great idea, what a good thought.
Great idea! Looking forward to watching
Incredibly exciting Jay, can't wait to see how EPIC it turns out! Good luck with a very cool build!
As good as a GT4 you say, you have my full attention, this is gonna be epic! 😊
Two presents in one day. Jonny Smith and his 2CV and now here is the Cayman rebuild. Looking forward to this story as it twists and turns. A great plot for all car nutters. Well done.
Great project Jay, really looking forward to updates 🙂