Notices
981 Forum Discussions of the 3rd Gen Boxster and 2nd Gen Cayman (2012-2016)

981

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 14, 2023 | 06:09 AM
  #1  
dave_lai's Avatar
dave_lai
Thread Starter
4th Gear
 
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Default 981

Hi guy

I’m looking to buy cayman s and I want to know how to check the difference between the cayman and cayman s. I check with the vin and some websites show cayman standard and some show cayman s. So I don’t know.

I need to know how to check if it’s 2.4 or 3.7 L
Reply
Old May 14, 2023 | 09:13 AM
  #2  
subshooter's Avatar
subshooter
Rennlist Member
Veteran: Navy
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 6,218
Likes: 3,551
From: New Orleans, LA (NOLA)
Default

I think you meant 2.7L vs 3.4L. Quickest way to tell externally is that the S will have red brake calipers and dual exhaust tips. Of course, people can always paint their calipers and get PSE or other exhaust system..
Reply
Old May 14, 2023 | 09:15 AM
  #3  
toma nova's Avatar
toma nova
Rennlist Member
5 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 952
Likes: 584
From: Houston
Default

Welcome to Rennlist!

Base is 2.7 and S is 3.4. That is the only definitive way to tell them apart. Base usually has a single oval exhaust tip and S has dual round tips, but these can be changed with an aftermarket exhaust or just different tips.

I’m looking for a couple of used cars nationally and the quality of dealer postings sucks. You’ll either need to sift through all the listings to find what you’re looking for (manual for me) or rely on the dealers’ ads being correct.
Reply
Old May 14, 2023 | 09:40 AM
  #4  
DrewM's Avatar
DrewM
Instructor
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 101
Likes: 39
Default

The tachometer is a different color in an S, at least 'stock', and changing gauge face colors wasn't a popular option - the other 'harder to change' type is the brake rotors will be bigger on an S, but not by a huge amount so it can play an optical illusion on you. Otherwise a lot of people paint calipers and lots of PSE equipped cars out there (along with people who put aftermarket exhausts on).
Reply
Old May 14, 2023 | 10:39 AM
  #5  
thecajunboy's Avatar
thecajunboy
Rennlist Member
5 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,890
Likes: 788
From: South Louisiana, Bonfire Capital of the World
Default

If you can get a good photo of the front bumper the two radiator duct inlets are slightly different. The "S" is fully open while the base model has a small plate by the round DRL.
Reply
Old May 14, 2023 | 11:33 AM
  #6  
slivel's Avatar
slivel
Racer
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 343
Likes: 153
From: San Diego
Default

The visual cues listed are relatively easy to change with aftermarket products. A hard one to change is the dash gage cluster which will show "Cayman, Cayman S, or GTS" and is driven by software.
Reply
Old May 14, 2023 | 12:32 PM
  #7  
SRNH01's Avatar
SRNH01
Instructor
5 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 129
Likes: 29
Default

Originally Posted by dave_lai
Hi guy

I’m looking to buy cayman s and I want to know how to check the difference between the cayman and cayman s. I check with the vin and some websites show cayman standard and some show cayman s. So I don’t know.

I need to know how to check if it’s 2.4 or 3.7 L
Try this web site to give you a general listing of the Options Porsche Equipment & Options Codes (stuttcars.com)
Reply
Old May 14, 2023 | 01:58 PM
  #8  
thecajunboy's Avatar
thecajunboy
Rennlist Member
5 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,890
Likes: 788
From: South Louisiana, Bonfire Capital of the World
Default

I just read that the fifth character in the VIN is the engine code. For 981 vehicles, A is the 2.7L, B is the 3.4L, and C is the 3.8L found in the GT4/Spyder.
Reply
Rennlist Stories

The Best Porsche Posts for Porsche Enthusiasts

story-0

Stunning Porsche 356A Super GT Speedster Auction Fails to Meet Reserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Every Era of 911 Owner Explained in One Sentence

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Thinking of Buying a Porsche? Do These 10 Things First

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Pixar Pals Turned Into 1-of-1 Porsches!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

Theon Goes Full Carbon Fiber With Stunning New Build

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Genius Porsche-Themed Gifts That'll Make Any Dad or Grad Smile

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Used Porsches Are Selling for Way Too Cheap

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Tuner Is Converting Porsche 911s Into Shooting Brakes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

This Coachbuilt Creation Is A Modern Take on the Legendary Porsche 917

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Is This Convertible Cayenne A Steal, Or A Returnless Investment?

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 14, 2023 | 02:27 PM
  #9  
subshooter's Avatar
subshooter
Rennlist Member
Veteran: Navy
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 6,218
Likes: 3,551
From: New Orleans, LA (NOLA)
Default

Just put the VIN in VIN Analytics: https://vinanalytics.com/

It will tell you exactly what it is. Here is mine:




Reply
Old May 14, 2023 | 07:12 PM
  #10  
Der Tgr's Avatar
Der Tgr
Rennlist Member
5 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 379
Likes: 313
From: Virginia
Default

Originally Posted by thecajunboy
I just read that the fifth character in the VIN is the engine code. For 981 vehicles, A is the 2.7L, B is the 3.4L, and C is the 3.8L found in the GT4/Spyder.
Apparently, C is also for the 4.0L in the 718 GT4/Spyder (checked mine to verify), and likely also the 718 Cayman/Boxster GTS models as well....
Reply
Old May 15, 2023 | 05:18 AM
  #11  
dave_lai's Avatar
dave_lai
Thread Starter
4th Gear
 
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Der Tgr
Apparently, C is also for the 4.0L in the 718 GT4/Spyder (checked mine to verify), and likely also the 718 Cayman/Boxster GTS models as well....

mine is neither

this is the vin WP0ZZZ98ZEK181088

Reply
Old May 15, 2023 | 05:26 AM
  #12  
dave_lai's Avatar
dave_lai
Thread Starter
4th Gear
 
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Default

This is the car






Reply
Old May 15, 2023 | 08:55 AM
  #13  
Der Tgr's Avatar
Der Tgr
Rennlist Member
5 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 379
Likes: 313
From: Virginia
Default

Originally Posted by dave_lai
mine is neither

this is the vin WP0ZZZ98ZEK181088
Unfortunately, European/ROW market car VINs do not include a digit dedicated to the engine - digits 4, 5, 6, and 9 have Zs placed there as "filler". See Porsche VIN Decoder - Stuttcars.
Reply




All times are GMT -3. The time now is 04:52 AM.

story-0
Stunning Porsche 356A Super GT Speedster Auction Fails to Meet Reserve

Slideshow: One of the rarest Porsche 356 Speedsters ever built has resurfaced, offering a glimpse into a little-known chapter of the model's competition history.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-15 17:16:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
Every Era of 911 Owner Explained in One Sentence

Slideshow: Every generation of Porsche 911 attracts a different type of enthusiast, and each one comes with its own very specific personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 12:49:28


VIEW MORE
story-2
Thinking of Buying a Porsche? Do These 10 Things First

Slideshow: Before you start shopping for your dream Porsche, make sure you've checked these 10 items off your list.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-10 15:28:29


VIEW MORE
story-3
Pixar Pals Turned Into 1-of-1 Porsches!

Slideshow: three Porsche 911s inspired by three iconic Pixar characters!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-09 17:22:06


VIEW MORE
story-4
Theon Goes Full Carbon Fiber With Stunning New Build

Slideshow: Built around a carbon-bodied 964 and a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six, this bespoke commission highlights how far the restomod formula has evolved.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-06 14:41:46


VIEW MORE
story-5
Genius Porsche-Themed Gifts That'll Make Any Dad or Grad Smile

Slideshow: Looking for gift ideas for you Dad or your newest grad? Look no further than these Porsche-themed ideas.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-12 10:37:13


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Used Porsches Are Selling for Way Too Cheap

Slideshow: These 10 used Porsches offer more driving thrills than their price would suggest.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:11:13


VIEW MORE
story-7
Tuner Is Converting Porsche 911s Into Shooting Brakes

Slideshow: A Polish Porsche specialist is moving ahead with one of the most unusual 911 conversions in recent memory: a shooting brake version of the 991-generation sports car.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-01 19:46:47


VIEW MORE
story-8
This Coachbuilt Creation Is A Modern Take on the Legendary Porsche 917

Slideshow: A Porsche Carrera GT has been transformed into a one-off coachbuilt machine that blends analog supercar engineering with styling inspired by the legendary 917 race cars.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-01 17:06:04


VIEW MORE
story-9
Is This Convertible Cayenne A Steal, Or A Returnless Investment?

Slideshow: A heavily modified Porsche Cayenne convertible with faux wood trim and a long list of flaws recently sold at auction for surprisingly little money.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-29 18:52:37


VIEW MORE