I DEed an 09 Boxster base with PDK for three years. 987.2s have a PDK cooler but no diff cooler which the 981s added. The coolant temp in the 09 started climbing the second year and had the two radiators cleaned. Shop said they were full of fine dust and sand. Never had a coolant or PDK temperature issue. It is frustrating not to see an actual oil temp like I now have in my 2013 Boxster S. From my experience the 2.9 base does not generate the heat load like the S. I added the third radiator to the 2013 and still see 270+ oil temps. Was told by a tech from a racing shop not to worry about a 280 oil temp which is norm for a GT4. Club Sports see 300. He said doubt I would ever get PDK limp mode during a 30 minute DE session. If I did cooling modes to my S it would be an upgraded heat exchanger and the supplemental TPC PDK cooler. IMO a dedicated set of track tires on 18s with adjustable LCAs for front negative camber would be my first track mod followed by Sebro slotted and Pagid RSL29s from FCP Euro along with more frequent fluid changes.

While expensive I would put a hybrid Simpson HANS high on the equipment list.

 

at least that would be my take on it. most important piece of equipment in a car is the driver.

 

I track a 2.9L PDK and have no over heating issues. Some things I did to improve cooling: 1) throw away plastic control valve regulating water flow thru PDK cooler. Replace with aluminum hose barb. This valve is prone to failure and it restricts flow. 2) next time you change PDK fluid (I do that once a year or every 10 track days whichever comes first) switch to an aluminum PDK pan. Same price/design as OEM and it is reusable. The aluminum will give you better cooling. 3) tie wrap the trailing edge of the underbody plastic up (it tends to sag) allowing more air into the PDK scoops

Enjoy your base Cayman they make great track cars.

 

Base Cayman is superb. See profile pic. Mine is a manual. We added the center radiator and transmission cooler. I don't have a LSD, doesn't need one.

 

I also use the Aluminum Pan, it has a removable filter and replace fluid every year.

 

what is the threshold coolant temp which is still not harmful to the engine? is 110c too much?

 

the GT4 981 manual says that "engine is at working temperature when coolant is 105c"
https://www.planet-9.com/d2/legacy/d...20Lo%20Res.pdf

so what max temp is safe for the engine? 981.2 has the same ma1 engine as 981

 

You will get another 5 pages of opinion on this question, but I shut things down when my water temp exceeds 225 deg F and my oil temp exceeds 350 deg F.

 

If it helps, 718 Clubsport which has the 3.8l engine, the dash display will show an alarm at 124C coolant and 140C oil. That is 255F coolant and 284F oil temp.

 

I tried to clean radiators with full disassembly.
Helped a little.

It was 23c outside, after 4 mins of flooring the obd showed 108c and the arrow on a coolant temp gauge started moving.

Looks like GTS and R have central radiators in stock form for a reason - without it cayman is barely usable on a track.

I decided to install it - it will be much better for the car and for my nerves - i won't look in the gauge every 5 secs.

 

can it be that the car overheats after 2 fast laps to 108c because of the malfunction?

should i try to change thermostate?

how can a "sport" porsche overheat after 2 laps?

 

It shouldn't. Definitely not normal.

 

What can be malfunctioning? Thermostate? Water pump? It doesn't overheat during city driving, holds 96 97c.
How should I look for problem?

 

Make sure your thermostat and cooling fans are working and that you have enough coolant in the system.

 

how can it be done? PIWIS?

how can i check coolant level? the "float" in the coolant tank should be "outside"?