Gary R.

I'm thinking about buying a Cayman S for occasional DE use and pleasure driving, am trying to find out when the new DFI engines came into play (seems like 2009?) and what and if any major changes have been made to this point. This car will have PDK also, get plenty of shifting with my race car and wife's 335i.. If there is a site with a breakdown a URL would be great!

hf1

AFAIK, all 09+ 3.4L DFI engines are pretty much the same and have proven to be bullet-proof including for the track. I would relax the "PDK only rule" if this car will be strictly for pleasure and track driving.

Good decision to explore the mid-engine Porsche platform -- IMO, the best cars for the NW CT country roads. I bought my 06 Boxster S new for that exact purpose and am a big fan.

Gary R.

Thanks, but what is the issue you see with PDK? Did anything change in 2012 with the 981?

hf1

No issue with PDK and I don't know the differences between its various incarnations through the years. Just my personal preference for your intended usage. What I meant to say is that having it or not should not be a deal-breaker if you found an otherwise perfect car.

Gary R.

Understand and appreciate the input, but I will wait for the right car to come along.. and it will be PDK.

zedcat

PDK and the 9A1 engine (DFI in the S model) were introduced for the 2009 model year 987.2. The tail lights are a revised shape and the front bumper/ running lights are different also. Some interior upgrades too. Sport chrono is desirable to get the sport mode for PDK- faster shifts, hard rev limiter, relaxed PSM. I'm a big fan of the 987.2, great cars (Have owned 2).

Frank 993 C4S

Gary, welcome to the dark side You'll be racing this car in no time.

Gary R.

Thanks Zedcat, are there any engine design differences between the 987.2 and the 981?

Frank - I know better than to build any more race cars, i'll find one already built if it comes to that!

zedcat

My understanding is the 987.2 and 981 engines are essentially the same, both are 9A1 model. These are DFI (except 987.2 2.9l) with no IMS and improved oiling vs M97. The 981 3.4l is rated at 325bhp vs the 987.2 at 320. To be honest I haven't studied the 981 that much so not sure if it's exhuast or intake or ecu that was revised. In any case 5 hp isn't much. Have you considered a Cayman R? Arguably the pinnacle for 987.

GentlemanRacer

how do the pdk transmissions hold up to track use or racing? Any experience?