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Quoting from the 2011 Spyder hardcover catalogue ("the green book"): "The body is 20 mm lower at the front and rear axle than that of the Boxster S." The Spyder and the Cayman R both had the identical stance.
Excellent write-up and thanx for sharing your thoughts and perspective! I've had my Cayman R for almost a year now and put about 15K miles on it - it's much too enjoyable to let sit. I've also done 6 track days and numerous autox events, and can attest to it's amazing ability to be comfortable to drive to the track and an absolute blast on the the track. Upgrades thus far address items you mention and further improved handling: Soul Performance exhaust, GT3 master brake cylinder, SS lines, slotted discs, Ferodo DS1500 pads, GT3 LCAs, Tarett front and rear sway bars. Between the mid-engine layout, hydraulic steering, excellent manual gearbox, flat-six normally-aspirated engine, and perfect driving ergonomics, it's hard to imagine a better driver's car!
They are definitely different to the standard and S versions of the car, but differences between the Spyder and R setups themselves are minimal. I have the kit you linked to from Suncoast on my car.
From my research the only difference between the Spyder and Cayman R suspension is the rear sway bar which is stiffer on a Cayman R.
Originally Posted by SCMike
Quoting from the 2011 Spyder hardcover catalogue ("the green book"): "The body is 20 mm lower at the front and rear axle than that of the Boxster S." The Spyder and the Cayman R both had the identical stance.
Originally Posted by sectachrome
They are definitely different to the standard and S versions of the car, but differences between the Spyder and R setups themselves are minimal. I have the kit you linked to from Suncoast on my car.
Yes, I was just having some difficulty reading that morning. Lol. I was saying from S to Spyder/R. Spyder/R are the same it seems.
for those running soul catted headers, would this be loud on a boxster when the top is down? Any insights? I'm thinking soul or cargraphic headers paired with PSE
Great review and I agree on all points. My R is almost identical (Guards Red, PSE, GT2 buckets, 6-speed manual) and the only thing I feel like I needed to do is a bit louder exhaust... I have Fabspeed long-tube race headers sitting on the shelf in the garage waiting for install.
The only car I'd consider trading the R for is a 997.1 GT3, and even then it's a hard choice. The 3.6 and 5-lug... IMO it is peak GT3 for the DIY weekend/track driver. Enjoy yours
Great review and I agree on all points. My R is almost identical (Guards Red, PSE, GT2 buckets, 6-speed manual) and the only thing I feel like I needed to do is a bit louder exhaust... I have Fabspeed long-tube race headers sitting on the shelf in the garage waiting for install.
The only car I'd consider trading the R for is a 997.1 GT3, and even then it's a hard choice. The 3.6 and 5-lug... IMO it is peak GT3 for the DIY weekend/track driver. Enjoy yours
Thanks Zach! If you ever have any GT3 questions I can help with, feel free to reach out.
The GT3 is a truly great car and I would recommend it to anyone looking for an analog driving experience with a manual transmission, hydraulic steering and what I consider one of the best engines Porsche has made. But like mentioned in my post, if I wanted to spend $70k (in today's prices) instead of $100k+ (in today's prices), I think an R or Spyder is the best Porsche to buy for a weekend only car. That $30k price difference is a lot of money, you could buy an M3 with that difference or a daily driver. The GT3 for me was a car I wanted to buy and then keep long term, which is why I went that direction.
I love the guards red! I agree that an exhaust or headers are needed. I am thinking about doing headers with high flow cats to increase the volume. Need to do more research but I'd like to keep the PSE functionality. The more I drive the CR, the more I love it.
I love the guards red! I agree that an exhaust or headers are needed. I am thinking about doing headers with high flow cats to increase the volume. Need to do more research but I'd like to keep the PSE functionality. The more I drive the CR, the more I love it.
Gert takes a set of in-stock OEM headers that are close to the mileage of your car, opens them up, removes the stock 800 cell cats, replaces with HJS 200 cell racing cats, and very (very!) cleanly tig welds them back up. Looks like it came right from the Porsche factory. The 200 cell cats added about +30% in volume with the PSE valves open, and basically sounds identical to stock when the valves are closed. Shipping from Carnewal in Belgium was 2 days and not very expensive. You then return your core headers to him in the same box / packaging. Perfect fitment as they are OEM headers, sound amazing, keeps the PSE functionality and no check engine light. I highly recommend them over aftermarket catted headers, which I've had plenty of in the past. Can't beat the perfect OEM fitment & quality.
After some research I finally decided on an exhaust for my Cayman R. My main desire was to increase the volume but retain the same tone. I am all about the sound of a car but the tone has to be perfect. I did not want it to sound low and bass sounding as many larger diameter aftermarket exhaust do. Stock my car came with PSE and while it was a nice volume increase, it was not what I was expecting from an "R" version Porsche. My other sports car is very loud so this was a bit of a disappointment. Finally, I ended up going with an FVD sound version cat back exhaust! Wow am I impressed. The sound version is the louder of the two options and it is definitely loud but the tone is perfect. Over 3K rpms it starts to have the overtones like a GT cup car/GT3. It is wonderful. Very high pitch and exotic sounding which is exactly what I was going for! Sub 3K rpms and the interior noise is boomy but welcomed as sub 3K the PSE was fairly quiet. The over-rev burbles are enjoyable and the downshifts sound glorious. I love the downshift bark! If you are looking for an exhaust that provides you the cup car/GT3 like tones and howls of the glorious flat 6, then FVD is the way to go. Couldn't be happier! I will try to post some sound clips once it stops raining.....and hopefully before the snow starts.....
After some research I finally decided on an exhaust for my Cayman R. My main desire was to increase the volume but retain the same tone. I am all about the sound of a car but the tone has to be perfect. I did not want it to sound low and bass sounding as many larger diameter aftermarket exhaust do. Stock my car came with PSE and while it was a nice volume increase, it was not what I was expecting from an "R" version Porsche. My other sports car is very loud so this was a bit of a disappointment. Finally, I ended up going with an FVD sound version cat back exhaust! Wow am I impressed. The sound version is the louder of the two options and it is definitely loud but the tone is perfect. Over 3K rpms it starts to have the overtones like a GT cup car/GT3. It is wonderful. Very high pitch and exotic sounding which is exactly what I was going for! Sub 3K rpms and the interior noise is boomy but welcomed as sub 3K the PSE was fairly quiet. The over-rev burbles are enjoyable and the downshifts sound glorious. I love the downshift bark! If you are looking for an exhaust that provides you the cup car/GT3 like tones and howls of the glorious flat 6, then FVD is the way to go. Couldn't be happier! I will try to post some sound clips once it stops raining.....and hopefully before the snow starts.....
Last edited by doworkexotics; 11-10-2021 at 11:31 AM.
09-19-2021, 06:12 PM
