Cayman GT4: Where are we up to now?

[spyderman]

ORIGINAL: Motorhead If the GT4 is to be a track-focused car then additional suspension adjustability would be very welcome, as would a brake upgrade.

Even the 997 Cup doesn't have that good a suspension system! And given this car should be quite a bit lighter than the GTS, does it really need better brakes?

ORIGINAL: MrDemon the question I cannot get out of people is this "club sport pack" will there be one ?

I hope not - IHMO this should be a track-focused car and anyone wanting a "comfort" version should just buy a GTS. I'm seeing this car as the Cayman version of the GT3 RS. LSD should be standard but please lets not have active this, that and the other?

ORIGINAL: Motorhead Just a thought but if GT4s are in such short supply, will you be able to try-before-buy in order to be able to make that decision?

Would make sense to have one at the Silverstone Porsche Experience.

ORIGINAL: chrisH Do you guys think the GT4 will offer these race only spec. items as part of the basic fit?

No, but...

ORIGINAL: chrisH I can't see queues forming to buy them unless it has Road tyres, Sport seats, Air Cond., Climate (optional), Radio and Sat/Nav. (optional) with the race bits as optional for track use, just like with the 991 GT3? Not all of us want a track car just a more powerful and focussed Cayman for road use without the bling.

If that's what you want, buy a GTS. At the same time, you shouldn't see the road GT4 as a race car - its not going to have a welded-in cage, is it? Chris.

 

[Motorhead]

All very valid comments Chris. Your point about suspension adjustabilty for the road car is probably spot-on, but it would be nice to think that Porsche might make some token provision for it especially if they're thinking seriously about a race package for the car. Maybe it'll just carry a more agressive geometry set-up compared with the S/GTS, especially if 20" wheels are standard fitment. Pics of the car do certainly look as though it's carrying bigger front brake discs [and calipers?] compared with the standard car, and GT3 parts are available off the shelf. I'm sure that the car will feature a stripped-out interior something like that in the Cayman R [bucket seats, lightweight door panels and fascia] where purchasers were also given the no-cost option of having sports seats, a/c and radio. Deletion of the cup holders is, of course, mandatory..! LSD [Torque Vectoring option] and active engine mounts [Sport Chrono option] are bound to feature in the spec. Much easier for Porsche to include standard hardware and software packages than develop something specifically for the GT4. With limited supply, I'd agree with you that the only place we're likely to see [and try out] a GT4 is at the PEC, Silverstone. They had a Cayman GTS there in February - at about the same time they were arriving in the dealerships - and I believe that the demonstrators are only now arriving at the PCs. Jeff

 

[chrisH]

Chris, the GTS doesn't appeal to me in the slightest as a CS owner, it's not a step up at all just an end of model special edition as GTS always is. What I am looking for is the power of the 3.8 engine or a turbod 3.4 with the R fittings for weight saving, am I so different from the majority?

 

[CLIFFWILKINS]

All this speculation on the GT4 has got me wondering how can the R be improved slightly? No complaints from my R. It's awsome especially if the GT4 is going to be big money. It would be out of my league and to be honest if its not much better than the R frankly why would I bother to shell out? My only gripe on my car would be brakes .I understand a GT3 M/C would give better feeling . Also I think pads need to be upgraded. yes even for fast road. Maybe pagid yellows. Very expensive are they worth it? Has anyone fitted RSS Performance engine mounts ? Would love to know if thats a worth while mod Yes another 20bhp might be nice maybe its possible with a software upgrade or is the R already on its limits? As mines mainly only a road car I have found very little to complain about. True drivers car for the road and very hard to beat in my opinion.[] Cliff

 

[chrisH]

Cliff, have you driven a 981 Cayman S as the brakes are better than on the 987, see Ralph's comments about track use? I know Tracy has a 981 Boxster but not sure if it's the S with the bigger front disks.Is it better than your R? As the 981 is a lighter car with more efficient engine it feels more powerful than the 987.2. So for me if the GT4 is like the R it will be very capable for road and track although like you track use is not on my agenda. Chris

 

[CLIFFWILKINS]

Yes had a loan CaymanS 981 for a weekend. No where near as involving as the R and to be honest not for me. The 981 Cayman/ Boxster for an everyday car is outstanding they really have moved the game on regards performance ride and economy. I know this from Tracys Boxster. Coming from a 996GT3 the R really is a happy medium for me and a better road car [8D] than a 996GT3 much more user friendly on todays roads. As said for me it ticks all the boxes. Just thinking of slight ways to improve an already outstanding car. Cliff

 

[Motorhead]

Cliff - My only gripe on my car would be brakes. I understand a GT3 M/C would give better feeling. http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=808315&mpage=1&key=&#808315 Has anyone fitted RSS Performance engine mounts ? Would love to know if thats a worthwhile mod. For road use, any engine mount mods will degrade refinement, perhaps unacceptably. Yes another 20bhp might  be nice maybe its possible with a software upgrade or is the R already on its limits? http://www.softronicsoftware.com/987-2-cayman-performance-software/ [only 13bhp improvement but improved driveabiltiy?] Jeff

 

[CLIFFWILKINS]

Cheers Jeff. Looks to me Pads are the only the worth while upgrade then . Pagid yellows? or something? Expensive for 13 bhp No issue with The Rs driveabilties. Might not notice 13bhp [] Obviously pretty much perfect the Cayman R then.[] Cheers Cliff.

 

[chrisH]

ORIGINAL: CLIFFWILKINS Yes had a loan CaymanS 981 for a weekend. No where near as involving as the R and to be  honest not for me. The 981 Cayman/ Boxster for an everyday car is outstanding they really have moved the game on regards performance ride and economy. I know this from Tracys Boxster. Coming from a 996GT3 the R really is a happy medium for me and a better road car [8D] than a 996GT3 much more user friendly on todays roads. As said for me it ticks all the boxes. Just thinking of slight ways to improve an already outstanding car. Cliff My point was in response to your yearning for better brakes, do you agree they are better in the 981CS, as I find at high speed they are very powerful and according to Ralph up to track use without fading unlike the 911GTS? I'm sure the GT4 will be just like the R in its driver appeal.

 

[CLIFFWILKINS]

The 981 Cayman S i drove i found them rather grabby for me the same as Tracys Boxster but good enough. I prefer to have a pedal with more progressive feel. GT3 days I guess.

 

[MrDemon]

ORIGINAL: CLIFFWILKINS Cheers Jeff. Looks to me Pads are the only the worth while upgrade then . Pagid yellows? or something? Expensive for 13 bhp No issue with The Rs driveabilties. Might not notice 13bhp [] Obviously pretty much perfect the Cayman R then.[] Cheers Cliff.

I run RS29 in my R and -1.2 camber with pilot SS tyres, it is about perfect. the extra power would come from changing the manifold to convert 4x 400 cell cats to 2x 200 cell cats add that with a remap for about 360bhp. The shove in the midrange is a lot more drivable. I would not do the RSS mounts at the rear but the front engine mount in yellow compound has no bad side effects and stops movement. The R is so good out the box just a few tweeks makes the car. I would not run the GT3 master, as it moves the pedals out of sync for heal and toe, RS 29 pads gives you the bite and feel you need, had no issues at all with RS29's with standard MC. the car does need camber, PADS and better tyres though the extra power the car does not really need, but I have gone down the route with my Spyder to do every thing. if you went my Spyder route on the R , then wow .

 

[CLIFFWILKINS]

Cheers Mr D looks like RS 29 pads are the only thing I need to get that bite feel back I miss from my GT3s stoppers.[]

 

[MrDemon]

ORIGINAL: chrisH Cliff, have you driven a 981 Cayman S as the brakes are better than on the 987, Chris

brakes are the same units and disks size (4 pot 330mm) so no better just more servo assist which you either like or don't. the good thing about the 981 is the 991 caliper/disks fit straight on to give you instant 6 pots with 340mm disk no changes. you can do that for about £1300. you can do a 6 pot oem upgrage on the 987.2 car but it's more like £3.5k as you need bearings and hubs etc.

 

[MrDemon]

ORIGINAL: CLIFFWILKINS Cheers Mr D looks like RS 29 pads are the only thing I need to get that bite feel back I miss from my GT3s stoppers.[]

My spyder which has the PCCB is actually a 996 GT3 caliper painted yellow !!! as I said you can spend about £3.5k and fit these with new hubs and 350MM disks if you want a Big brake upgrade. or with your oem 4 pots you can fit a spacer and fit 2 piece 340mm disks which is the most common upgrade after RS29's

 

[chrisH]

ORIGINAL: MrDemon

ORIGINAL: chrisH Cliff, have you driven a 981 Cayman S as the brakes are better than on the 987, Chris

brakes are the same units and disks size (4 pot 330mm) so no better just more servo assist which you either like or don't. the good thing about the 981 is the 991 caliper/disks fit straight on to give you instant 6 pots with 340mm disk no changes. you can do that for about £1300.

Mr. D, Interesting that's is just the assistance is greater, mine don't feel grabby at all but then I dont track it. So it remains to be seen if the GT4 has the 991 brakes given it's probably going to have the 3.8 engine albeit detuned. Lets face it they have a big enough parts bin to change what they want and charge the earth. I don't think it will be under 75k but then there's the options list....

 

[Andy Fagan]

ORIGINAL: MrDemon

ORIGINAL: CLIFFWILKINS Cheers Jeff. Looks to me Pads are the only the worth while upgrade then . Pagid yellows? or something? Expensive for 13 bhp No issue with The Rs driveabilties. Might not notice 13bhp [] Obviously pretty much perfect the Cayman R then.[] Cheers Cliff.

I would not run the GT3 master, as it moves the pedals out of sync for heal and toe, RS 29 pads gives you the bite and feel you need, had no issues at all with RS29's with standard MC.

Completely disagree with that. You sat in mine!! the pedals are perfect (For me anyway) [] In fact I'd say it was better position!

 

[MrDemon]

ORIGINAL: Andy Fagan

ORIGINAL: MrDemon

ORIGINAL: CLIFFWILKINS Cheers Jeff. Looks to me Pads are the only the worth while upgrade then . Pagid yellows? or something? Expensive for 13 bhp No issue with The Rs driveabilties. Might not notice 13bhp [] Obviously pretty much perfect the Cayman R then.[] Cheers Cliff.

I would not run the GT3 master, as it moves the pedals out of sync for heal and toe, RS 29 pads gives you the bite and feel you need, had no issues at all with RS29's with standard MC.

Completely disagree with that. You sat in mine!! the pedals are perfect (For me anyway) []

Sitting in it and then stopping it from 120 mph for a perfect heal and toe from 3rd to 2nd is a whole new story. I have driven another R with giro disks and the GT3 MC and it was the same as my PCCB set up, the brake pedal travel is too little so come heal and toe time the accerater for me was too far way from the brake once the brake pedal does not move that much , which is all the GT3 MC does. I can do it in my SPyder which has the 6 pots and bigger MC but it's far easier to do in the R when the pedals are level esp with size 7.5 feet

 

[Andy Fagan]

ORIGINAL: MrDemon

ORIGINAL: Andy Fagan

ORIGINAL: MrDemon

ORIGINAL: CLIFFWILKINS Cheers Jeff. Looks to me Pads are the only the worth while upgrade then . Pagid yellows? or something? Expensive for 13 bhp No issue with The Rs driveabilties. Might not notice 13bhp [] Obviously pretty much perfect the Cayman R then.[] Cheers Cliff.

I would not run the GT3 master, as it moves the pedals out of sync for heal and toe, RS 29 pads gives you the bite and feel you need, had no issues at all with RS29's with standard MC.

Completely disagree with that. You sat in mine!! the pedals are perfect (For me anyway) []

Sitting in it and then stopping it from 120 mph for a perfect heal and toe from 3rd to 2nd is a whole new story. I have driven another R with giro disks and the GT3 MC and it was the same as my PCCB set up, the brake pedal travel is too little so come heal and toe time the accerater for me was too far way from the brake once the brake pedal does not move that much , which is all the GT3 MC does. I can do it in my SPyder which has the 6 pots and bigger MC but it's far easier to do in the R when the pedals are level esp with size 7.5 feet

Hmm, I've done it umpteen times from far more than 120MPH and I find it is perfect. Too much travel on old MC you'd need to be a contortionist [] Or you're not getting them properly hot MrD []

 

[Motorhead]

ORIGINAL: MrDemon the good thing about the 981 is the 991 caliper/disks fit straight on to give you instant 6 pots with 340mm disk [ Carrera S/GTS] no changes. you can do that for about £1300.

Sounds like an ideal upgrade for........... A GT4..! Jeff

 

[spyderwhite]

ORIGINAL: MrDemon

ORIGINAL: CLIFFWILKINS Cheers Jeff. Looks to me Pads are the only the worth while upgrade then . Pagid yellows? or something? Expensive for 13 bhp No issue with The Rs driveabilties. Might not notice 13bhp [] Obviously pretty much perfect the Cayman R then.[] Cheers Cliff.

I run RS29 in my R and -1.2 camber with pilot SS tyres, it is about perfect. the extra power would come from changing the manifold to convert 4x 400 cell cats to 2x 200 cell cats add that with a remap for about 360bhp. The shove in the midrange is a lot more drivable. if you went my Spyder route on the R , then wow .

360 bhp from a spyder/r has got to be the way if the gt4 is to expensive or not all that! What would the cost be to get 360 hp and I thought a remap plus manifold/exhaust upgrade would only get an extra 25-30 bhp?