jcastle

In 2010 my friends invited me to track my garage queen, a 2007 GT3RS. I was instantly addicted. After several track weekends, I began to contemplate track mods. Instead, I elected to hunt for a 997.2 RS. I was fortunate to stumble across a 4.0RS. Even better, or so I thought. I participated in several more track weekends. Over the last 18 months my driving skills have improved and 4.0RS prices have skyrocketed. This summer I retired the 4.0 and began searching for a dedicated track car. Priorities: safety, reliability, reasonable running costs. Contemplated 996 cups. At Porsche Sport Driving School many instructors suggested a Cayman track car.

After several months, I found a reasonably priced 2009 Cayman S.

I elected to go PDK based on positive comments from BGB, Dan Martinson and others. I drove the car around town for 3 weeks. The car felt so comfortable on twisty roads. Decided to take the car to VIR to test its potential. I installed a paddle shift wheel, SRF brake fluid, PFC pads and TPC sway bars, rear toe and drop links.


The stock Cayman S was no RS. Way down on power. But the balance was perfect. I saw lots of potential. Only issue I encountered was related to overheating brakes. After 20min on track, the pedal got very soft. 5 min of cool down and they were ready to go again.

jcastle

I was inspired by the Deman Motorsports Cayman Cup Article. I interviewed many shops. They were all confident they could get the brakes cool and transform the car into a capable track machine. As luck would have it, the Napelton Racing program was winding down, and they were looking to liquidate their remaining parts inventory including their spare X51 3.8L motor from 24hrs of Daytona.

I chose Chris Smith Racing. Located next to Road Atlanta. They have been building ITC cars for Isringhausen. Principal Chris Smith seemed very knowledgeable and capable of building a great car.

Build Specifications:
- 3.8L X51 DFI motor swap
- CSR custom air intake
- RSS pulley kit
- Fabspeed race headers and exhaust
- Works Bell PDK paddle shift kit
- CSR PDK cooler
- CSR rear quarter panel air ducts (engine and pdk cooling)
- Strip and cage
- OMP XL hans driver seat, sparco eve 2 passenger seat
- CSR bumper / subframe reinforcement
- GT3 bumper air outlet
- carbon fiber front hood and rear decklid
- Bodymotion carbon front splitter
- Interseries rear wing / uprights
- OS Giken LSD
- new axles, wheel bearings and rebuild brake calipers
- JRZ rs pro suspension
- interseries stoptech front brake kit
- interseries custom fab front brake cooling
- GT3 front cooling ducts
- rear naca cooling ducts
- RSS front lower control arms
- TPC ITC sway bars, drop links, toe links.
- CSR RSR style front forks
- Forgeline GA3R and OZ Racing HLT 18" wheels
- fire suppression system
- electrical kill switch
- Solo DL/ Smartycam HD
- in car communicator
- race radio
- cool suit

jcastle

Teardown:

Engine Removal and cage install:

Random Build pics:

jcastle

In late September, I got the chance to shakedown the car at a Road Atlanta Chin event. I was very impressed with the build quality and attention to small details. CSR fabricates custom bumper reinforcements and PDK cooling.

jcastle

After initial shakedown, we chose to change the drivers seat to OMP XL hans seat. Solo DL and Smartycam HD were installed. OS Giken LSD was installed. GT3 air vents were installed in the front bumper. A Motec C125 was installed to help maximize power from the X51 by opening the intake runners above 5000RPM.

Installation of the Fabspeed Race headers, carbon hood and rear deck should happen this week. The works bell paddle shifters were not plug and play and are requiring some additional TLC to get them working. I'm still deciding on a livery, but leaning towards a simple wrap in matte black. With a little help from PIWIS, all the annoying dash warnings and beeping should be eliminated. New cars really don't like it when you start removing all their pieces and parts.

I'm told that Dynoing pdk cars is still a challenge requiring 4 wheel dyno and special hardware to keep PSM from going into limp mode when it detects front wheel speed issues. My butt dyno says the car is as fast as a GT3...they couldn't pull me on the straights of RA. We're aiming for >390rwhp.

Still deciding on the next shakedown event...but with my work schedule, it may have to be MidOhio in April.

tasman

Looks awesome Jason. Have fun and thanks for sharing.

jenk12m

Jason thanks for showing us your build. Don't wait till April to shakedown again. Get the car to Sebring in January. Pboc, david Murray, and pca 48 hrs. All huge events and a ton of track time to get use to your new toy

tcsracing1

you really got bitten by the track bug!

Fantasic build!

Love the 3.8L and the PDK!

RickBetterley

Nice, Jason. Very nice

cds4402

Awesome build! Thanks for posting this.

scott40

Nice!

ECS Tuning

Great looking build

mikew968

Very Nice!!!

mikew968

If my car is ready we are tentatively planning on shaking it down at Sebring at the winterfest event.

mikew968

The cooler in the back of the car; is that for the transaxle oil or for the PDK clutch oil?