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With our project car fully up and running we wanted to give a little info about it as there aren't too many 718's at the track, at least not in FL as we've seen. Little back story, we used to run a 2008 Cayman S 6-speed that was built more as a little parts display car and then we started tracking it heavily. Admittedly it was never really set up for the track and it got to the point last year where it needed a complete overhaul so we decided to let it go to a local friend who has since turned it into a full blown track car. After that the search began for a new project. We were set on a 981 but we had a perfect 2017 718 Cayman S fall into our lap so we snagged it with 10k miles on the clock along with PDK, Sport Chrono, PASM, and PTV. We wanted to see what this turbo motor was all about.
We have just completed back-to-back weekends at Sebring with PBOC Florida and the Suncoast Region PCA. The car ran flawlessly, save for a bit of heat soak with consecutive run groups (student and then advanced solo) in this ridiculous central Florida heat . We were able to turn consistent 2:26's in the solo group still feeling out the car. Night and day difference from the old 987. Next time out is in October with PCA at Sebring
Here's some photos and all of the current modifications we have done so far. If you see us out and about in FL flag us down and say hello!
That's exactly the plan! Being a project car we didn't want to throw the entire parts catalog at it from the get go. We're essentially using this car as a test bed with various parts to confirm compatibility. We will be experimenting with some 718 GTS parts and eventually 718 GT4 parts. We were monitoring engine temps all weekend at the track so the next time we hit Sebring we'll know exactly what the center radiator will do.
Sweet car! What does the recirculation valve do for you? I read Forge's product description, but I don't have enough context to understand what it improves on.
Also, I'm thinking of the Recaro/Schroth combo for track days. How difficult was that install? I've heard the stock seat removes with four bolts and the disconnect of a single electrical connector. I figured I'd need a roll bar to secure the shoulder straps, but I have no idea how the hip and thigh belts attach.
Sweet car! What does the recirculation valve do for you? I read Forge's product description, but I don't have enough context to understand what it improves on.
Also, I'm thinking of the Recaro/Schroth combo for track days. How difficult was that install? I've heard the stock seat removes with four bolts and the disconnect of a single electrical connector. I figured I'd need a roll bar to secure the shoulder straps, but I have no idea how the hip and thigh belts attach.
Thanks! The 718 uses a mechanical diverter valve which controls boost pressure and the Forge valve is the same type. They come with different springs for different amounts of boost pressure. The stock spring I believe is good for up to 15 or 16 psi. We are planning on adding a COBB tune with Accessport so we put in the stronger spring as COBB ups the boost with their tune. We were the test vehicle for the Forge piece and have a good relationship with the USA office in Orlando, FL. It works perfectly. Installation was a bit of work as it sits between the intercooler and air box right along the rear shelf, so the entire rear upper carpet and trim pieces need to come out to access the engine cover.
We did a lot of research with seats and the Recaro Profi's bolt right onto the factory seat rails so this was the perfect solution. The Recaros have little eyelets on the side of the frame so the side buckles on the harnesses are meant to attached right there. Everything is so seamless with this combination. They were on backorder was a few weeks when we ordered in the beginning of the summer. We also had error codes for the seat airbags and the seat belt not being connected when using the harnesses on track so we had BGB Motorsports clear those codes for us. Big thanks to John for the easy fix. He also cleared out the spoiler warning for us because we have a fixed rear wing and unplugged the automatic rear spoiler.
The Heigo roll bar is the 981 version and we were also the test car for this one on a 718. It took some finagling to get it to seat properly and get the bolts to hook, and we trimmed the seat belt trim pieces to give it a factory look.
Are you planning on trying any other exhaust products, for example FabSpeed?
Not at the moment. We are very happy with the AWE exhaust and the fit and finish is perfect. We have the Touring setup on there now and we will be switching out to the Track version because it's not a daily driver and we want to hear more of the turbo-4. An aftermarket downpipe is also on the horizon
I notice you've put a really nice front spoiler and rear wing.
I would really like to see some black 911 GT style side skirts for the Cayman.
I think with your front lower lip in black some side skirts would really complete it but they seem really hard to find.
I have seen some crazy ones but nothing subtle like whats on the 911s. Maybe you can find something as part of the project. I would certainly order some
Any changes to the suspension? rear camber on the second image does not look stock
Just a corner balance and alignment. The H&R PASM springs lowered it a bit more and we are running -2.5 in the front (Rennline camber plates) and -2.1 in the rear (stock adjustment)
09-18-2018 | 12:10 PM
Suncoast Project Car
