By Lee Sibley
1 year ago
The best Porsche 987 Cayman upgrades
These are some affordable ways to improve performance, handling and comfort in your 987 Cayman
The original 987 Cayman bridged the gap between Boxster and the 911, with more power, sharper handling and a higher price than its soft-top sibling. It combined fantastic mid-engined balance with enough power – certainly in launch Cayman S guise – to worry a 911 Carrera. It also introduced desirable Porsche options to a wider audience, including adaptive PASM suspension, PCCB ceramic composite brakes, and the Sport Chrono package.
Unsurprisingly, the 987 quickly garnered rave reviews. Driving the Cayman S for Autocar magazine’s weekly road test, Richard Bremner said: ‘High-speed stability is superb and noticeably better than the Porsche 911’s. On the road the Cayman’s powertrain borders on perfection. It offers just about everything you’d expect: speed, response, flexibility and, most important, character’. He concluded: ‘The Porsche Cayman is an everyday sports car that will teach the novice and reward the experienced driver’.
Today, the 987 is a sought-after modern classic – arguably more desirable than the four-cylinder 718 Cayman that came later. A well-maintained example will be a rewarding and reliable sports car, but improvements can still be made – particularly now even the newest example is 10 years old. Here, we round up some of the best Cayman upgrades, split into three categories: performance, chassis and brakes, and interior.
Don’t own a 987 Cayman yet? Take a look at the 9WERKS Marketplace to source your dream car.
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PERFORMANCE UPGRADES
Launched a year after the 987 Boxster in late 2005, the Cayman was a completely new model for Porsche (there was no 986 version). To make a sufficient splash, it debuted in full-fat ‘S’ specification, with a 295hp, 3.4-litre flat-six – good for 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds and a top speed of 171mph. The regular 245hp, 2.7-litre Cayman followed soon afterwards, with figures of 5.8 seconds and 162mph respectively.
The Cayman had a five-speed manual gearbox, while the S added an extra ratio – unless you opted for the five-speed Tiptronic S automatic. A comprehensive facelift in 2009 included revised engines: now 2.9 litres and 265hp, or 3.4 litres and 320hp. The seven-speed PDK transmission also joined the party, soon accounting for a sizeable chunk of sales. You can spot these 987.2 models by their LED rear lights. Anyway, our focus here is the 987.1, and these mods will hope improve your driving experience.
Air filter
Back in our misspent youth, a K&N air filter was the quickest way to add a few extra horses to your Nova SR or Fiesta XR2. The same is true for the 987 Cayman now. This high-flow filter fits inside the existing air box and costs just £73.60 from Heritage Parts Centre. It also improves induction noise and is claimed to be ‘the last air filter your vehicle will ever need’.
Switchable exhaust
Also helping your engine sound and breathe better is this DesignTek Valvetronic exhaust system. Made from stainless steel, it has switchable valves that are handily controlled from the key fob. With them closed, the engine gains around 8hp and a ‘deep sports turbo sound’. Open the valves and you’ll enjoy an extra 12hp and a ‘perfect racing sports sound’. It costs £878.75 from Design 911.
Intake plenum and throttle body
‘The IPD intake plenum delivers increased performance that puts the Cayman in the ring with the [911] Carrera,’ says the product description. In practice, that means an uplift of around 20hp for the 987 3.4 S when you fit this intake plenum and Porsche 997 GT3 82mm throttle body package from Design 911. Priced at £845.50, it’s recommended that you combine the upgrade with a high-flow exhaust system for even greater performance.
Oil protection for track days
If you plan to take your 987 on track days, two parts from Design 911 will help prevent engine damage due to oil starvation. The twin-chamber oil and air separator kit is built to motorsport specification and costs £1,445.80. And the extended deep sump offers nearly two litres of additional oil capacity. Note the sump is intended for ‘track-only vehicles’, as it reduces the car’s ground clearance.
Radiator protection
These stainless steel front grilles from Zunsport offer a dash of extra style – they’re available in black or a polished silver finish – and protect your car’s radiators from stone chip damage. Prices start at £140.03 and you can buy a centre grille insert to match.
CHASSIS & BRAKE UPGRADES
With a mid-mounted engine, a modest kerb weight of around 1,350kg and a stiffer chassis than the Boxster, the 987 Cayman offers a superb driving experience. Or at least, it did more than a decade ago…
If the ravages of time haven’t been kind to your Porsche, we recommend a geometry alignment by a specialist. Then consider some of the following ways to enhance its handling and stopping ability.
Refreshed ride and handling
Heritage Parts Centre offers a range of components to completely refresh tired suspension and ‘dial the Stuttgart-designed sprightliness back into the chassis’. These include Bilstein dampers, OEM-equivalent control arms from Meyle and stiffer Powerflex bushes – the latter best suited to track days or racing.
Coilover suspension
You can completely overhaul your 987 Cayman’s suspension with the adjustable KW Variant 3 coilover kit – also from Heritage Parts Centre and priced at £2,387.95. For a more affordable option, the ST Suspensions STO coilover kit is also manufactured by KW and height-adjustable on all four corners, but it costs just £939.95.
Lowering springs
We don’t advocate slamming your Cayman into the tarmac, but a subtle suspension drop could tighten up its handling without ruining the ride. It will make your car look suitably sportier, too. This Eibach spring kit from Heritage Parts Centre offers a 30mm decrease in ride height for a modest £356.95.
Brake upgrades
Braking ability is one area where older cars inevitably feel off the pace. Freaky Parts offers a larger front disc upgrade for the Cayman and Boxster (338mm instead of 318mm) that allows you to retain the original Brembo callipers. Equally, braided stainless steel hoses can improve pedal feel and braking performance. Heritage Parts Centre sells a complete set of Goodridge hoses for £86.33.
INTERIOR UPGRADES
The 987’s two-seat interior is robust and hard-wearing. Ergonomics are generally good, but later models had the option of a touchscreen PCM system to reduce the clutter of buttons on the dashboard.
Steering wheel
The steering wheel is your primary contact point with the car, and an aftermarket item – from Momo, Sparco, OMP, Nardi or another brand – can add some welcome tactility. Whichever one you choose, will need a new steering wheel boss, which costs £95.50 from Heritage Parts Centre. Don’t forget that the airbag warning light will also need to be disabled using an OBD2 diagnostic device.
Air conditioning
The expansion valve from URO cures a known weakness in the Cayman’s air conditioning system. Designed for ‘extreme refrigerant pressure and a wide range of A/C system operating temperatures’, it’s available from Heritage Parts Centre for £20.46. You’ll always look cool in a 987 Cayman, but this will make doubly sure.