John@Fabspeed

First Impressions:

So as most of you know I personally picked up a 2012 Cayman R as my first Porsche. As for first impressions...BLOWN AWAY The handling is absolutely sublime; very nimble, minimal body roll, great response to quick transitions, and predictable breakaway at the limits of grip. When properly utilized you can really get the CR dancing and pushing the envelop. Much easier to drive fast than I was expecting to be honest.

Negatives? Could use a little less understeer, but I expect the LCAs and alignment to resolve that in the near future. I have an ABOMINABLE, subtle squeak on the passenger-side pillar right behind the window that I can't figure out. After seat time in the GT4 in various modified configurations, it does not have nearly the power and sound I want/need. That last bit brings me to the beginning of the performance upgrades i'll be adding.

I intend on documenting the incremental installation of a full Fabspeed performance package to accomplish the same goal of the GT450 package on the GT4...maximize the power potential of the 987.2 starting with Phase 1 below.

Phase 1: Race Headers, COBB Accessport, and Custom Protune

The factory headers on the Boxster/Caymans (regardless of generation) are the most popular exhaust/performance component to upgrade. There is a good reason for this...the factory headers are the most restrictive design I have ever seen taken off a car at Fabspeed. It actually makes you laugh a bit the first time you see them in person compared to a real set of headers haha Case in point below...the much denser and larger cats are a given restriction versus our catless and 200cell header variations, but please take note of the shape, routing, and merging of the primary tubes of the factory headers

You don't have to hear or feel the power gains of our headers...you can SEE it plain as day. This is why upgrading the factory headers is my first priority.











Sport Headers for comparison to the factory headers



Personally I went with the Race Headers as i'm trying to maximize the performance potential of the car with a full package for sustained high RPM use at DE events. For those concerned about the CEL you can use our Catted O2 Spacers to reduce the concurrence or a COBB Accessport with a Fabspeed Protune to shut off the CEL permanently while maximizing the power potential. Our protuner happens to be skilled enough that on some vehicles (including mine) he can tweak the file just right to set the emissions monitors as well.

For those who with primarily street driven cars who would like a little more low end-mid range gains while sacrificing a bit of top end versus the Race Headers, the Sport Headers may be a better option and are the cats are guaranteed for 2 years. No CEL with those German HJS cats

I will be using a COBB Accessport to monitor my ECU data and allow our Protuner to create and store a custom map optimized for the addition of the headers to start. Additional files will be created and saved to my Accessport for optimized performance as I progress through the stages of the full package (perks of the Accessport's data logging feature).

If the install proceeds according to plan (very busy the next few days and clients take priority haha), I hope to document the dyno data and personally review the addition of just the Race Headers, then the addition of the COBB Accessport with our custom Protune on my car. I should also get some nice footage on my GoPro at Pocono this weekend at a two-day Autox with NEPA and some superb backroads.

Stay "tuned"!

For future reference...

Phase 2: Fabspeed Valvetronic Exhaust System with Retune
Phase 3: IPD/82mm TB Package with Retune
Phase 4: Fabspeed Competition Air Intake

For all inquiries on products please contact me directly via PM, email, or phone in my signature below. Us performance specialists are all commission based so any direct business is very much appreciated

Paul Solk

Awesome!!! Looks like we will have almost identical builds!! You will see mine on the dyno next week

Congrats John!

John@Fabspeed

So stoked! Let the dyno wars begin

John@Fabspeed

The results are in! Save for adding the subtle addition of our X-Design Deluxe Tips, I truly believe this is one of the best sounds I have heard of out a Boxster/Cayman. If I wasn't after more burble/crackle/pop and the hidden horsepower in the factory PSE system I would run this setup every day.

In factory form (Sport Mode on and PSE activated) the car felt rather lethargic and sluggish, slow to respond until about 4500 RPM where it started to pull. On top of that, the sound was never exciting to say the most. After the completion of Phase 1...the car pulls like a freight train from the moment you step on the gas and throughout the entire power band. The throttle response is crisp, unbelievable.

Valves closed, IMHO the car sounds just like factory. Valves open...it's hard to even put into words into how amazing it sounds. Sound level is up significantly but it isn't overbearing in any way. It is beautiful and throaty in the lower RPMS and approaching 4k it opens up into smooth, exotic wail that makes you catch your breathe and heart skip a beat. On deceleration (especially if you touch the gas a smidge) the overrun/burble is greatly accentuated and Intoxicating! The naturally aspirated version of turbo flutter haha.

I cannot fully express in words how much of a transformation this was to the car, it is 10x the driving experience and I am beyond thrilled. It is something you have to experience for yourself, so I extend an open invite for anyone to come on out/meet up to take it for a spin...you won't be disappointed

Here is an initial video from when I had our marketing team take the car out for a spin, and a teaser dyno graph of the HP gains. The TQ gains were even higher but the readout was a bit erratic so we will be dynoing the car again over the next week or two to get a clean torque graph.

Heading to Pocono this weekend for two days of AutoX on the infield road course and hours of beautiful backroad driving to and from our house at Lake Wallenpaupack. Bringing some GoPros

christallon

Sounds incredible! Wow!!!

So this would be the same for the 987.2 Spyder, right? What would you recommend for a Spyder that does not come equipped with PSE? Frankly I love the stock sound of the non PSE system, so I'd prefer a system that sounds like this one in the vid, that gives the added torque and HP but does not force me to take the system off every 2 years (California) to meet smog Reqs. TIA for your thoughts John.... Oh, and I love the Spyder's "stock" black tips, so I would want to retain those.

John@Fabspeed

Yes, it would be the same as the 987.2 Spyder. As a matter of fact we have a 2011 BS as a shop car and seat time in that car is why I bought the CR. You have a fantastic vehicle! I would initally say our Sport Headers with HJS 200cell cats sound like a great upgrade for your goals, also California really puts a damper on the fun and "technically" you can't use cats that don't have a CARB certification stamp. They will pass a sniff test though, so if you have a shop that will work with you that may be an option. Otherwise I'd recommend upgrading your factory muffler system.

Padishar

I'm joining in on the Dyno war!

I have the Fabspeed sport headers matched with the Maxflow exhaust. Added the competition cold air intake this week and will test at TWS this weekend.
Booked Dyno run and pro tune next week at COBB in Plano, I will post the results afterwards.

Croc999

Same here.
I already had BC Velocity exhaust tips which did a little to the sound and the punch.
After replacing headers with Fabspeed catless ones i was amazed by the sound.

You can hear it here:



Now the only thing that i've been missing from the S2000 - the sound - got addressed.

p.s. my car have PSE

John@Fabspeed

Hit the twisties up in the mountains this weekend, and here are the highlights from external view/sound. Will have some from in the cabin in the next day or so. Absolutely in love with this Cayman!

Zeus993

Love it John! Just to confirm, this is still Phase I (Fabspeed Headers, no cats, factory PSE), correct? Wonderful. Intoxicating!

Any vid with the PSE closed? Then open?

Next I'd love to hear another car with the Sport Headers with HJS 200cell cats . Not quite as loud and I suspect better for me living in the city. There is a risk of sound violations etc...

Paul Solk

Guess I should add my sound to the mix See you tomorrow John!

John@Fabspeed

Looking forward to seeing the results! Thanks for the business!

That sounds superb! And I love the autocross courses you set up I'll just did a two-day event this past weekend and should have the videos up shortly to compare

Yes that is correct, still Phase 1 and I LOVE it. If I wasn't after every bit of HP I would keep it the way it is. I have some footage from in the cabin with the mic in the rear hatch area. I'll be posting that video tonight and there is a time where you will hear me say "PSE off" and 2-3 minutes of valved closed versus valves open. Gives a great reference and truly is a night and day difference.

Unfortunately it isn't in the cards for me to run just the Sport Headers for reference, but I have driven our 987.2 Spyder in that configuration and the sound level is probably about 15% quieter while having a more refined exhaust note. For in the city I would certainly suggest the Sport Headers in the event of sound regulations


See you tomorrow Paul! Such a sick run on the Glen man haha

John@Fabspeed

This video is the internal view with the mic located in the back hatch area.

PSE is on until stated off at 1:50 (windows up as well), then PSE is back on at about 3:45

Pardon the flopping mic cord and leaving the music on towards the end of the video...amateur Lol

Padishar

I got a 24 HP increase and a 17 ft - lb gain

Zeus993

Awesome. Question: Does the Cayman R not already start off with 325 BHP? Please clarify dyno readings.

Thanks - I take this is the Cobb Tune that you did?