SuperPenguin

Hope this is the right section. Considering getting a Cayman S as a dedicated track car for NASA TT3 and possibly ST3/GTS3 racing as well. Just wondering a couple things:

-Should I suck it up and get a 2009+? I know that there are a few issues with the 987.1 (Specifically the 2008 MY that I'm looking at), but they don't seem to be serious (air/oil separation, oil starvation etc) or things that can't be handled with some reliability mods.


-What's the max mileage you'd consider for this application? The two examples I have found so far are just shy of 50,000 miles. These cars seem to be pretty bulletproof if maintained, and with the limited miles they'll see from here on out I don't see any issue with this mileage. It's high enough that any problems the car might have will have presented itself, and low enough that major maintenance (apart from possibly the clutch) isn't due.

wgn

You should get a 987.2 (2009+). Improvements to the motor in terms of reliability and power delivery for a track car are significant.

Frank 993 C4S

Given the price difference, it is well worth getting a Gen 1 (2006 - 2008) car and doing the required mods (AOS, deep sump, PS Cooler, trans cooler, 3rd radiator) to make it reliable. In PCA Club Racing, you get a 200+lb min weight benefit over Gen 2 cars. My car has about 80k miles now. As with any race car, axles, wheel bearings, suspension bushings, calipers, etc.. are consumable items and should be treated as such.

SuperPenguin

Awesome, this is great info. Thank you.

trackjunkie61

Reviving an old thread. Frank, can you expand on which AOS, PS cooler and trans cooler you would recommend? Also is X51 baffled oil pan sufficient or do you recommend something different? I took your advise and got a smoking deal on a low mileage 07 CS ($10k less than going rate for 987.2). I am looking to add reliability. I instruct with Chin which doesn't allow much time to tend to my car during the day.

Frank 993 C4S

Sorry about the slow reply - just saw this. I used the Porsche Motorsport AOS. It's expensive but worth it as my first engine died because of hydrolock. I sold my car over a year ago and switched to a Gen II car so no longer have the info on the trans and PS cooler. Also look into an underdrive pulley. Bodymotion would be a good source for those questions. As for Geoff. X51 baffled oil pan should be fine but it's best to install an oil pressure sensor to monitor oil pressure. The Gen I car has an engine driven oil pump so at low RPM and high g loads pressures can get low.