When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Fabspeed 987.2 Full Package Phase 1-Race Headers and Tune
First Impressions of the stock Cayman R:
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
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
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!
i had all same fabspeed parts installed on my 2010 S last week! Plus I went with Guard LSD, JRZ spec Cayman coilovers , cup style shift cables and numeric racing shifter, gt3 control arms, Tarrett gt3 bars and links. Putting roll bar in the car with Recaro Race seats. Get car back in 10 days! Can't wait to see how it works after these mods! Your videos sound awesome!
i had all same fabspeed parts installed on my 2010 S last week! Plus I went with Guard LSD, JRZ spec Cayman coilovers , cup style shift cables and numeric racing shifter, gt3 control arms, Tarrett gt3 bars and links. Putting roll bar in the car with Recaro Race seats. Get car back in 10 days! Can't wait to see how it works after these mods! Your videos sound awesome!
Fantastic build Grant! You are way ahead of me haha. Be sure to post up your thoughts once you get it back
06-08-2016, 03:05 AM
Fabspeed 987.2 Full Package Phase 1-Race Headers and Tune
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.
. 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.
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 
