hsattley

I was reading into Porsche's Sonderwunsch program and it got me thinking about what my dream-spec bespoke Porsche would be. Sonderwunsch is Porsche's bespoke division where you can create one-off Porsches based on existing models, similar to the Singer 911s: https://www.porsche.com/stories/inno...sch-programme/

I thought it would be a fun exercise to see everyone's idea of a bespoke 981 and perhaps get some ideas for future mods. My bespoke 981 would essentially be my version of the ultimate Boxster, meaning a car that is:
- As light as possible without sacrificing practicality and daily-drivability
- Fun to drive at any speed (not overly powerful)
- Designed specifically for road and backroad use
- Not crazy expensive to maintain/fix (using as many existing OEM parts as possible)

To that end, my technical specs and upgrades would look something like this:
- Donor car: 981 Boxster/S
- Curb Weight: < 2400 lbs (around the same as a Miata)
- Horsepower: 300-350 hp from a tuned 2.7L, I absolutely love how the 2.7L sounds and revs. The 3.8L from the 991.1 CGTS would also be a fantastic engine, but 430hp is too much for driving US roads in a super lightweight car
- Transmission: 6-speed or 7-speed manual with shorter gearing (i.e. 2nd could top out at ~65 mph, 3rd could top out at 85 mph) and short-shift kit
- Louder PSE with less drone at cruising speeds
- Modernized electric power steering tuned specifically for the car
- 718 non-GT steering wheel (the 981's looks really dated, especially the base one)
- Upgraded suspension tuned specifically for road/switchback use. Would love a more "tossable" 981 that still has a ton of mechanical grip
- Upgraded brakes. Carbon ceramics are too much for road use, so maybe a set of 911 Carrera S brakes or PSCB
- Proper torque vectoring
- Powered roof and sufficient interior sound insulation
- Enough tech upgrades to sufficiently modernize the 981 (specifically, CarPlay/Android Auto, ParkAssist/rear camera, Lane Change Assist, modern Bose/Burmeister sound system)
- Front axle lift
- Fixed lightweight sport plus seats with only limited manual adjustments (wouldn't need 18-ways since it would be a bespoke seat), no heating/ventilating required

For the exterior, I would want some bespoke body panels to make it a unique roadster that is still identifiable as a Boxster. The car would be an elegant/curvy look; I think modern Porsches have become too straight-edged, angular, or bulbous, and have lost some of their sexiness. Something like a Carrera GT-esque exterior would be fantastic. If there is some way I could get a powered roof with the Spyder humps that would be awesome.

For the interior, something along the lines of the 911's Heritage Interior, maybe with a deep red or blue instead of the Cognac.

Would love to see what people's idea of a bespoke 981 would be!

dps214

I know this is hypothetical, but you want good driving dynamics, tech upgrades, brake upgrades, and good sound insulation...where exactly is that 600lbs of weight reduction coming from?

Mine would basically be a cayman GTS with a 911s engine, 400-430hp is absolutely the right amount of power for the chassis. Or maybe just a gt4 with a shorter final drive, the net result would be about the same.

Newusername

Dream spec for me would be pretty darn basic.

My current Basic S with the following parts build:
1. 3.8 with the factory powerkit such as in the 991.1 911 GTS
2. LSD equipped 6 speed and the Deman gearset
3. X73
4. Sport Chrono
5. LWB seats
6. 718 GT4 brakes

Last_935

My current 981 GT4 with the DeMan engine and trainsmission upgrades. Oh, and dual zone climate control - the only factory option I wish my car had.

Randy_B

I'll have what he's having! I could settle for the 981 Spyder/718 GTS brakes.

Osiicks

Well...a GT4RS

Randy_B

2025 Cayman R with GT3 engine and a manual. 718 units worldwide.

Newusername

Honestly after driving mine last night I kind of thought that all it really needs is the LWB seats and the Deman gear set and LSD to be nearly perfect. Mine is a super low spec S, manual with the sport seats and no other options, I added a full X73 over the winter and it already has Soul Headers and Exhaust + Softronic tune.

Ernest72

My base car with PSE, soul longtube headers, FVD header tune and X73. Can’t beat it for hammering on mountain twisties. Don,t need more because not many places to use the power I have now. But I get a longer time to hear that glorious flat 6.

okie981

I have my dream 981 Spec. Bought it off the showroom floor in Nov of 2015. I added PSE, X73, and some OZ Leggera HLT wheels. Sports car perfection.

Cliff3

I already have it: 2015 CGTS with 6MT, X73, PTV, GTS interior package, and nav. My greatest wish is that the previous owners had taken better care of the paint, but alas... Since buying the car in 2020 I have given it over to a detailer for paint correction, ceramic coating and PPF, added a Carplay module for the nav, sorted a number of maintenance items, and early on ditched the 20" wheels for HRE FF01 19" wheels. Those will be replaced very soon with a set of 19" Apex EC7RS wheels that were delivered today.

Renngineering

Great thread…

First post on Rennlist as well!

I kind of did exactly what this thread is about. Bought my 981 in 2019. 10k miles dry weather car. Kept it for four years. Got the 911 itch and bought a 991.2T.

Then realised the error of my ways and bought my old Cayman back, promising myself I’d build a Sonderwunsch 981.

I’ve documented it all on my YT channel Renngineering and on the podcast of the same name.

I’ll do a build thread over the weekend but here it is…

Kindly, Michelin saw fit to have it on their stand at Megaphonics (Boxengasse) this year, and PCGB are featuring the car in Porsche Post.