For those who like to do their own work and get their hands dirty, changing spark plugs and replacing coil packs as needed is a relatively easy task. Assuming you do not have to remove the rear bumper and other equipment in order to access the plugs and coilpacks, it shouldn’t take more than an hour or two. The coilpacks are easily replaced without even removing the spark plugs. An electrical connector supplies the triggering voltage to the coilpack that then fires the...
3 Comments

Like most modern cars and for better or worse, the 718 line is heavily computerized. Conventional wisdom is to simply let it be, rather than risk breaking something. But with some care, a little bit of tech savvy-ness, and an appropriate tool there is a surprising number of things you can change using options that are already built in to the system, but are hidden. The two most common tools to make coding changes on a 718 are the PIWIS3 clones or the Launch X431 tool line. I bought a Launch...
16 Comments

I recently added aftermarket grill screens to the front bumper and side intakes on my 2018 Cayman. I bought the whole set from The Radiator Grill Store (frequent Panorama advertiser, look for the PCA discount code in the magazine ads). These are definitely a DIY project, but there are a couple of things I found that were not documented in the instructions. The fronts are the easy ones, and the instructions on the website (downloadable PDF) are reasonably accurate. No removal of anything...
10 Comments

Changing the plugs was really very easy in my manual 718 and can't imagine it'd be any more dif in a PDK. With the wheels off and the car on stands everything is right there in front of you. Here is the drivers side and all one does in unscrew the plug boot/coil units (the screw is captive and stays with the unit) and pull it out of the way. The access to the plug requires a 12 point magnetic plug socket w/ universal joint. The 14 mm mag plug (thin) is available here...
6 Comments

I couldn't find the 981 PDLS Bi-Xenon bulb change video of my dreams, so I filmed it myself. EPtCB2sFuGU
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I still don't quite understand how it works, but here are the innards:hmm: Although the AOS looked OK to me (except the torn membrane), the Plenum was pretty nasty:(
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My 2014 Cayman S (36,000 miles) recently showed an error message indicating the dynamic transmission mounts had an issue. The dynamic transmission mounts come with the Sport Chrono option and tighten things up when the Sport Plus button is pressed. The error message was yellow and said it was safe to drive. I searched for documentation on the repair and couldn’t find much, so I am attempting to detail what I did. I did not consult a repair manual, so there may be a better way to do this, but...
11 Comments

Having watched a few YouTube videos on this repair, I fixed both door panels on my 2014 981 in one day. Total working time was around 90 minutes for both panels, not counting drying time. Since I was dubious about trying this DIY (first time I’d ever done a DIY on an interior finish panel) I thought I would share a few things I learned. 1. It’s VERY easy. I recommend anyone with a small amount of mechanical skill and an average amount of patience to do this repair. 2. Tools/equipment...
11 Comments

I've used several different systems as I like to tinker (this post is mostly a copy/paste from another post I made on another forum, with the exception of this intro) - I have no affiliation with any of these vendors - these are just my experiences with some links added for convenience. If you already have a really good camera (GoPro) and you want to provide data, and also use the data for driving improvement, I am liking my current combo of AIM Solo DL + camera, and I use the free Dashware...
2 Comments

The two plastic trim strips under the front hood, are attached to the body with three pieces of velcro. My 8 year old 2010 987.2 trim strips were flapping due to the velcro giving up. The velcro was done sticking to stuff... I spent some time researching high-temp automotive grade velcro. This is mainly why I'm posting this, as well as some advice after replacing it myself. I ordered the velcro from Amazon, here is a link that will certainly expire. ... and the details that...
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This Article provides a guide on how to rebuild the brake calipers of a Cayman S (987.1S). The instructions in this article can apply to other Porsche models that use Brembo alloy monoblock painted brake calipers as well. The only variations will be in the size and number of pistons, seals, and dustboots. Otherwise the instructions presented here should be very similar. This guide should not be used for Ceramic Brakes. Warning Brakes are a critical system on any vehicle. On a performance...
12 Comments

The flexible brake lines that connect the calipers to the brake line hydraulic system are subject to wear and should be replaced periodically. This article provides a guide on how to replace the brake lines on a Cayman. In this article I replace the factory brake lines on my Cayman with new Braided Stainless Steel Brake Lines. Braided Stainless Steel Brake Lines are a relatively inexpensive way to improve the feel of your Cayman's brakes. The intent of braided stainless steel brake lines...
8 Comments

As many of you know, 987.1 Caymans came with no front or rear brake caliper/rotor cooling ducts. This can be problematic for cars that spend a lot of time on the track. Cooling of the front calipers and rotors can be handled in a very straight forward manner by using 997 GT3 front cooling ducts. The 997 GT3 front cooling ducts are inexpensive and are a drop-in part for the 987.1. The rear cooling duct is a little more complicated, but not too much more. Also, although there are other ways...
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A question came up in a discussion about testing Relays. Relays seem like magical little boxes of wonder. They often catch the blame for mysterious electrical gremlins because they're operation is a mystery to most auto enthusiasts. But if we really stop to learn what a relay is and how it works, we will learn that they are really quite simple. Understanding and being able to test them can help us cross them off the list when things go wrong. So let's take a lesson on Relays, how they work and...
8 Comments

In Germany, every new Porsche is delivered with a set of Emergency Triangles and a First Aid Kit. Those of us who opted to do a European Delivery were surprised to receive these cool little safety devices at delivery. These are cool little keep sakes that I'd like to hang on to, and as the German TUV knows, it's not a bad idea to have these in your car. The First Aid kit fits nicely into the storage box in the trunk, but the triangles won't fit there. European cars have a nifty little set...
4 Comments

This document describes replacing the Air Oil Separator(AOS) for a 987.2 The design of the part that attaches to the motor casing is slightly different that other Porsche AOS. There are two round stubs that have o-rings on them, so no more hose clamps. Otherwise, it seems very similar to previous AOS designs. Two bolts on the AOS, E10 torque 13Nm(9.5 ftlb.) Here are the steps to replace the AOS: 1) Remove the top access hatch.
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My new-to-me 2009 987.2 has 40,000 miles and it is time to change the spark plugs. Although there is no problem, IMO it is wise to change plugs to prevent them from galling to the cylinder head. I offer this little guide as there doesn't seem to be any 987.2 plug change instructions on the site. Mine is a base 2.9 liter but the S models will be very much the same. Tools you will need include a 10mm socket, a 10mm ET socket (external torx), an assortment of torx wrenches, and a spark plug...
8 Comments

Changing the oil and filter on a GT-4 is not rocket science. This procedure is a little different and a little more difficult on the GT-4 than it is on other Caymans. There are a few specialty tools I would recommend you obtain before tackling this maintenance task. With a few tips and tricks in mind, even an amateur mechanic can handle this job. 1Torque Values Fastener LocationDescriptionTool SizeTorque ValueDrain Plug18mm Aluminum Drain Plug8mm Hex Driver37 ft.lb.Oil FilterPlastic...
26 Comments

I was about to wash down my wheels to remove some brake dust and grime when looking into the wheel well I happen to notice that the rear lateral support arm channels for the rear suspension reinforcement plate were full of gravel. These channels have two ‘U’ shaped groves in the outer edges and obviously are a settling point for dirt and gravel (see attached pictures). So before washing I wanted to get rid of this material so it wouldn’t retain any waterand contribute to corrosion in the...
15 Comments

These are photos of the attachment between the outer door handle and lock assembly. To disconnect the ouster door handle from the lock: The black plastic piece is a slider. Press it and slide it back. This will expose the threaded shaft which can then be separated from the white plastic connection. To reinstall, snap the threaded shaft into the white plastic connector and slide the black plastic slider forward to lock the two pieces together.

Following the instructions for removing the Gauge Cluster: 1. Remove the trim under the gauges. 2. Remove the two screws that hold the gauge cluster to the dash. 3.Pull the gauge cluster out of the dash. I spent a week pulling & pulling, but could never get enough force on the slippery plastic housing to disengage it from the clips. Finally, after a lot of frustration, I taped a loop of strapping tape to the plastic housing and pulled like hell. It Popped out without causing any damage. ...
4 Comments

This article documents my installation of a complete data logging system in my Cayman S. I have chosen the AiM system not only because offers integration of ECU data and GPS data and a full software suit to configure and analyse it, but also coupling with their SmartyCam HD you get full integration of that data into a synchronized video without post production. You can watch your video with already integrated data on your laptop computer directly following an ontrack session. Here are the AiM...
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Attached is a PDF describing how I removed my rocker panels, drilled for the GT4 vent covers and installed them successfully. Enjoy V6
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The Air Oil Separator (AOS) operates to return oil that was mixed with air from the cam covers and return it to the crankcase. It has two inlet pipes, one from each cam cover and a bottom hose where the oil returns to the crankcase. This articles shows the photos taken to remove the AOS from a 2007 Base Cayman. Remove the engine cover. Jack up the car and remove the right rear wheel. Remove the tie wrap on the wiring harness near the right hand hose connection. Squeeze the upper...
18 Comments

The greenfrog (Cayman R) is hitting 222F (coolant) and 252F (oil) at VIR on a 90F+ day, so it's time to add some more cooling. The center radiator installation is well documented and straight forward. Flushing the whole cooling system is much messy and requires special tool (UView Airlift 550000) to refill. In addition there are some differences between 987.1 and 987.2 water pumps. Here are some of the articles and forum threads I researched: ...
17 Comments

This article shows you how to remove the front bumper cover. Why might you need to remove the front bumper cover? Several reasons come to mind, such as installation of third center mounted radiator, getting your front bumper repainted, or the reason for this article, cleaning out the debris from the radiators as a matter of routine maintenance. Here are the tools necessary for this evolution: 1/4" drive ratchet T-30 socket & ratchet or L-shaped wrench T-25 socket & ratchet or L-shaped...

Vehicle: 2006 Cayman S Why this system? I wanted a valved system with a bit deeper growl, with a richer sound going through the gears and the gurgle when decelerating. I also wanted no/minimal drone during cruising and a good looking, high quality construction and finish. This system allows me to enter/leave the neighborhood without waking everyone as I head off to cars and coffee or the Blue Ridge Mountains, but when switched to the louder mode, sounds very exotic and rewarding,...
3 Comments

981 Boxster/Cayman uses closed-back front calipers, which must be removed to change front brake pads. It's not a difficult task, but a few tips with pictures will hopefully make it even easier. CAUTION: 1. Do not stress the hard metal brake line when moving the caliper around 2. Properly torque the brake caliper screw is crucial. Over torque it and you risk pulling the thread out of the aluminum wheel carrier. 3. Caliper screws are one-time use. Always replace with new ones. Never...
26 Comments

P0455 error, leak inevaporative system 2006 Cayman S There is a lot of informationfor this error code for earlier Boxsters and other models that focus on ventline valve near the fuel filler neck and/or vent lines at the charcoalcanister (carbon canister), but, unfortunately, most of this information didnot apply to my car.Since I could notfind this information when I searched here before, I thought I would do a shortwrite-up for other Porsche novices. I am new to Porsches in general...
6 Comments

The dreaded day arrived for me last fall. I'm writing of course about when my factory Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensors reached the end of their life. My car is a 2007, manufactured in June 2007, put into service in July 2007. I started seeing TPMS malfunctions (the readings all went blank while driving, then came back) in the summer of 2014. So I got about 7 years, 80,000 miles out of my sensors before they went kaput. This is pretty much in line with the 6-8 years that other...
84 Comments

If you ever have to run a wire to the back of a Cayman, you'll need to remove the Driver Side Sill Plate. I had to do so to run a wire for my Oil Pressure Gauge and I learned that unlike most cars where that plate is held down with just plastic friction pins, the sill plate on a Cayman is rock solid. It's held in with two rather substantial bolts. If you need to remove yours, you'll want to read on. 1Removal Procedure 1). There are two plastic plugs in the side of the sill plate between...
8 Comments

This was a DIY I did a couple of years ago. Still holding strong. Shared on the "other" website years ago. -1 piece of Pink Board Backing. Home Depot $8 to $10 bucks... They can cut it up on site to fit in your car... -1 yard or so of Black (or your choice) felt fabric... Might cost you $5 bucks a yard. -Some electrical wire.. Likely have this laying around... Cut the Pink Board to the shape of the "trunk/frunk area". I used some wrapping paper to lay across the opening of the...

A clutch slave cylinder should last a long time. But there have been incidents of slave cylinders leaking in Caymans, which can leave your clutch pedal on the floor. There was a Workshop Campaign (W802) back in 2008 to replace more than 1,200 bad slave cylinders that made their ways into cars (987s and 997s). Should you find yourself in need of a new slave cylinder, this article should be of great help to you. 1Torque Values Fastener LocationDescriptionTool SizeTorque ValueClutch...
7 Comments

Three years ago at my very first DE, my instructor said he knew I would come back, and I should make improving the safety equipment a priority. Since then, I have gained plenty of seat time, but have been guilty of putting off the safety upgrade. Last November at VIR, I got a cramp in my left leg for bracing against the dead pedal through turn 1. I bought a CG Clamp on site. It helped a lot, but does not appear to be practical for street use. That's when I decided I need 6-point harness,...
5 Comments

I was getting something out of my front trunk (frunk) a couple of weeks ago, when the hood fell on its own hitting me in the head. No damage done, but I realized that it must be time to replace the gas struts. I'm not sure when they started losing their pressure, but after I installed the new ones I immediately noticed that they spontaneously raise the hood from about 60% to full open by themselves - I don't think mine had done that for some time, so if yours aren't doing it either, it's...
17 Comments

We've heard a lot of talk about Rear Main Seals leaking in Porsches, but as the Cayman Register advocate I can't say that I've seen many members who've experienced a failure. That's likely because Porsche made a major improvement to the seals in 2005 and all Caymans received that new seal. The RMS in my car didn't leak, but I decided to replace it anyway because I was replacing my IMS cover seal. My car had 80,000 miles on it, I was right there with 95% of the labor already done and the new RMS...
23 Comments

I don't know of a single Throw-Out bearing that has failed in a Cayman. I decided to replace mine because of an IMS cover leak, which required me to remove my transmission, clutch, pressure plate and flywheel. Because my car had 80,000 miles on it at the time, it seemed sensible to freshen up the clutch package, which meant a new throw-out bearing too. Once the transmission is out, changing the Throw-Out bearing is a simple operation. 1Torque Values Fastener LocationDescriptionTool...
6 Comments

A clutch is a wear item so it's only a matter of time before we each need to replace one. I replaced mine at 80,000 miles because I was in there to replace a leaking IMS cover seal. As it turned out, my original clutch was still in excellent condition. But there's nothing like the bite of a new clutch, and my leak repair required removal of the clutch, so replacement required nothing more than ordering parts. Because there is so much labor involved, it would have been senseless for me not to...
63 Comments

Our Caymans are equipped with a Dual Mass Flywheel which does a really good job of eliminating gear chatter and providing us with silky smooth clutch engagements. But DMFs can and do fail. When they do they can create very strange sounds and/or vibrations in our cars. If you suspect a bad flywheel in your car, or if you happen to have the transmission out for some other reason like I did, make sure you test your flywheel as shown below. 1Needed Specialty Tools Toothed Flywheel...
2 Comments

Most of these photos were created and annotated by adsalmon as he trouble shoots a delayed cold start problem on his 2006 Cayman S. Very handy reference.
1 Comments

Changing the transmission oil in a Cayman will keep its transmission shifting nicely and will prolong its life. Porsche recommends replacing the transmission oil at 108,000 miles or at 12 years of age, and I think it goes without saying that tracked cars should see a fluid replacement sooner than recommended. The transmission doesn't have a filtration system, so this is an area where clean oil can go a long way. Check out this discussion to learn why regular gear oil changes are a good idea,...
24 Comments

Shown on 5 speed 987.1. I cut a 1 3/4 inch access hole in the plate under the trans axle to easily get to the drain plug. The other thing to note is the 6 speed trans axle gets filled to the bottom of the fill port while the 5 speed transmission requires the level to be diabolically set lower than the fill port by 11 mm. The five speed drain plug requires a special 16 mm triple square anti tamper socket I got from Pelican Parts. The six speed drain plugs are more rational, using 10 mm hex...
11 Comments

At some point during your development as a track driver you will want to find a way to measure your progress and collect data to analyze your driving. Early lap timers sensed a beacon placed along trackside to measure lap time. Sophisticated data systems used a variety of sensors placed on the engine and chassis to gather data. Today there is a large selection of devices using only GPS to gather lap times and, knowing speed and location, calculate lateral and longitudinal G-Force. ...
10 Comments

The IMS seems to be a real pain in the neck for us Porsche owners. Fortunately us Cayman owners are not very likely to experience an IMS bearing failure, but I have seen a number of members (including myself) develop a leak around the IMS cover. The seal is inexpensive, but the labor to reach it is significant and many specialty tools are required. I suspect that there are only a handful of members here who might attempt this repair themselves, but I thought it would be good to document...
59 Comments

The rear suspension support plate isn't something that will go bad or need to be replaced. But, that darn thing is right smack in the way of many components in the back of our Caymans. If you want to change your transmission oil, it's is going to need to come out. Luckily it's pretty easy to remove it, but there are specific warnings that you'll want to be aware of. This article will guide you through a safe removal and reinstallation. 1!WARNING!: Removal of these parts can affect your...
26 Comments

If you had told me back in 2007, when I took delivery of my Cayman S, that I'd some day be taking the transmission out of it I'd probably think you were crazy. I broke a lot of transmissions when I was a kid, but I've learned to respect my transmissions since then. As fate would have it, my car developed an oil leak that necessitated the removal of mine. Removing the transmission from one of these cars isn't as hard as you'd expect by I wouldn't call it easy either. There are a couple of...
31 Comments

One issue with the Cayman is the reflection of the upper dash in the windshield. If you haven’t noticed, stop reading now and don’t think about it again. It is naturally more pronounced with the lighter, sand beige, interior than darker colors. I found that swapping the forward most sand beige parts of the upper dash, called defroster trim, for black doesn’t completely eliminate reflections but does reduce them considerably. Parts are: left defroster trim 997 552 175 01 ...
14 Comments

It seems one of the more common failures we see in our Cayman cars are the horns. I know I've had one horn failure in my 2007 and recently Retired Teach had his third horn failure in his 2008. Changing the horns is a relatively easy job, but it does require the removal of the front bumper cover, which makes it a lot less easy and means that you can count on a pretty expensive repair bill if you take your car to the dealership. Gonzo and I offered to help Retired Teach swap out his horns,...
2 Comments

This article and accompanying pictures describe the procedure for removing the 981 Cayman upper engine cover. Tools required are: Plastic trim removal pry tools-available at most auto parts stores for under $20. Torx T30 driver-although a standard screwdriver handle type will work for most of the bolts, the two center front bolts on the engine cover provide very little working clearance, thus a short stubby T30 which can fit in a small 1/4 inch drive ratchet will eliminate much swearing....
22 Comments

This article describes the installation of the Tarett Engineering rear strut mounts ( no affiliation ) shown below. Because this install was part of a suspension upgrade I had the struts already out of the car. There are many articles out there describing the strut removal process in a Cayman or Boxster if your struts are in place. Access to the top of the rear struts require a fair amount of interior trim removal. You will need an impact driver with 13/16 socket and a spring compressor for...
2 Comments

This article is a quick look at how to remove the accessory drive belt on a 987.2 or 981 Cayman, 9A1 DFI, since it is slightly different from the earlier M97 engine configuration. Please see: Cayman Register Forums > Articles > Maintenance & Repair > Accessory Drive Belt Remove/Install ...for a full description of the procedure on a 987.1 (MY 2006-2008). Theory, warnings, etc. carry over to the later models. 4WARNING: Mark the direction the belt travels if you plan on reinstalling...
1 Comments

The Cayman and the Boxster share the same chassis. One of the benefits of this is that the Cayman chassis includes the factory mounts used for the Boxster Roll Over Hoops. I believe that using the factory mounts is superior to bolting a roll bar to the floor. The Hergesheimer and new GMG roll bars use the factory mounts. I'm using the Hergesheimer bar but this article will also apply to the GMG bar. The Hergesheimer roll bar includes an all welded main hoop with a diagonal and harness...
14 Comments

This article describes the installation of a new master cylinder. Thanks to Rob VN for the pictures. GT3 MC Part #: 99735591030 Note you can buy either the TRW MC or the Porsche MC. Both of these are the same but the TRW cost over $100. 1) Remove the plastic around the master cylinder (MC) by removing the 8 torx screws and jiggling it out.
14 Comments

This article describes the installation of a set of Hella B133 horns into my 2007 Cayman. My car is on its third set of stock horns so I wanted try something better(?) now that the warranty has expired. This horn installation requires the bumper cover to be removed. I synced this project up with my CSF radiator install. The Hella kit comes with two horns and a horn relay. I used the relay not knowing the capacity of the Porsche horn relay. These new horns draw 11 Amps.... Here is the...
1 Comments

This article describes the installation of three all aluminum radiators made by CSF ( no affiliation ) on my 2007 Cayman 2.7L. The radiators are welded things of beauty which promise to be more rugged than stock radiators and increase cooling capacity by 8 - 10% due to their design. There are three part numbers involved: CSF7047 Left Side Radiator CSF7048 Right Side Radiator CSF7049 Center Radiator Four fresh O rings on the radiator hoses: Two pieces P/N 99610680107 and two pieces...
7 Comments

I purchased the Aerokit Front Splitters (2006 - 2008 987.1) from Suncoast to complement the Getty R/S rear wing that I had installed earlier. I received the LH and RH splitter, 6 expansion rivets, and an adhesive kit. No instructions were included but I contacted Suncoast and they emailed a PDF file of the Tequipment Aerokit Installations Instructions. This 19 page document primarily covers the installation of the rear wing but pages 17 & 18 cover the front splitters. The splitters...
22 Comments

This article briefly describes the installation of a brake caliper stud kit supplied by Tarret Engineering ( no affiliation ) on the rear of my 2007 Cayman. The stud kit prevents stripping of the caliper mounting holes in the wheel bearing carrier. The studs are available in various lengths for different vehicles as shown here: http://www.tarett.com/items/986-987-products/986-987-engine~transmission~brakes~electrical/brake-caliper-stud-kit-bcsk-detail.htm The kit is shown here. The...
1 Comments

The Cayman, as delivered from the factory, is one of the world's best handling sports cars but, like all road cars, has had some compromises in its suspension. When Porsche introduced models with enhanced performance such as the Cayman R and Boxster Spyder, suspension modifications were part of the package. Lower ride heights and higher anti-roll bar and spring rates were used in these models. The new X73 Sport Suspension option now available on 981 models includes those same changes. This...
16 Comments

The Getty Cayman RS Wing is a smaller version of the wing used on the GT3 RS. It is an anhedral wing design. The leading edge tips are lower that the center section. This allows a lower angle of attack for the center section which is running in the air flowing down the back of the rear hatch. The ends are running in a more direct air flow and are at a greater angle of attack. Getty built the aero components for the Cayman Interseries race cars and I like their proven wing base. I placed...
3 Comments

When I was cleaning my new to me car, noticed there was a significant 'ding' in the drivers side radiator. Saw on another forum how someone had done a great job with metal gutter guard, to protect the radiator. But to do that, you had to pull the headlight assembly apart and it was a more permanent fix. Every time I step out of my pay grade, I end up doing more harm than good. Decided that the Home Depot plastic guard would work, $1.72 on clearance! Made a rough template out of thin card...
4 Comments

UPDATE 2 from Vision Motorsports: Dwain replied to my question about trans axle temperature ranges to worry about: his response was, “220 is ok. 250 is getting hot. 275, I would start to be concerned.” UPDATE: I have some trans axle temp data from my recent visit to Sebring. On the drive over, 140 miles at 55 - 65 MPH, ambient air 90 F, the trans axle oil reached 150 F. The first day of the DE air temp was 80 F and I was re-learning the track the trans axle oil reached 190 F. On the...

This article details the installation of the Parking Dynamics parking sensors on the rear bumper. Sometimes it can be a bit difficult to see behind a Cayman / Boxster in a parking lot, especially if you have GT2 seats or other track modifications. The Parking Dynamics solution is a very affordable ($150 for the rear plus your labor) hole free way to retrofit parking sensors onto our cars. It does not connect with the PCM or stereo so no warranty voiding or integration issues to deal with. ...
4 Comments

I still love my 2006 CS with Tiptronic, but over the last couple of years, I have thought that the 987.1 style Tiptronic steering wheel with the triangular airbag, was starting to look a bit dated. I have also long wished that the car came with a traditional paddle-shift steering wheel, rather than the older style Tip buttons. I was aware that some 1st generation Tip owners had successfully swapped their old style steering wheels, for the sport wheel with paddles, however, the cost of...
8 Comments

This article describes the installation of the Vision Motorsports big brake kit for Cayman. Diver Dog had this kit installed previously. The advantages of this kit are ease of pad change, wide selection of pad choices and improved braking. Installation was straight forward, removing the stock calipers and rotors and replacing them with the new 350 mm AP rotors and 2004 GT3 6 piston calipers followed by a brake bleed. The kit consists of two new AP rotors, two new 2004 GT3 front calipers, two...
7 Comments

This article describes the installation of an electric power steering pump kit into my 2007 Cayman 2.7L. The GSR Autosport Electric Power Steering pump kit I chose ( no affiliation ) allows replacement of the engine mounted power steering pump and lines with a Porsche Motorsport electric pump and new hose set. GSR Autosport is now Trinity and no longer stocks this kit. Reports are the pump can be purchased from Achilles and RS1. BILT Racing ( no affiliation ) also sells an electric PS pump...
12 Comments

The fuel gauge in my 07 Cayman S has always behaved a little strangely. Recently, after filling the tank, the gauge in the dash showed empty (needle bottomed out) and a low fuel warning message was displayed; this even though the tank was 100% full. In the past I had noticed that the fuel gauge needle would take a very long time, sometimes overnight, to respond to totally (or partially) filling the fuel tank. This time however after driving the car back and forth to work for a number of days;...
6 Comments

When I changed my clutch and was putting everything back together, I found that my driver’s side shift linkage did not snap onto the ball on the trans like it should. It felt like it was barely attached. Upon inspection, I found a crack in the plastic ball socket: So I zip tied it to the trans shifter bracket through the spaces between the hard plastic frame and the soft filler plastic. It held fine for about 1,000 miles, while I comptemplated the purchase of all new shifter cables for...
1 Comments

This article discusses the installation of Torque Solutions sport trans axle mounts into my 2007 Cayman 2.7L. The sport mounts keep the trans axle from moving around as much as the stock mounts and tightens up the handling of the car. The down side is that more NVH is introduced into the cabin. I am pleased to report the increase is tolerable and no where near the NVH the sport engine mount introduced into the cabin. You sense more of what the engine is doing on deceleration and various RPMs....
5 Comments

Hopefully this helps some people because it was difficult to find and required microphones etc. This was a left rear cabin creaking/cracking noise that would show up during suspension travel, throttle in turns and pulling in and out of driveways. Additionally it sounded like it was coming from the left rear upper shock mount while driving. This made it difficult because it pointed toward a suspension issue, which was incorrect. All interior plastic was removed, bolts checked, hatch checked,...
31 Comments

This article describes the installation of a CAE Ultra Shifter, Model number 10013ST into my 2007 Cayman 2.7L with 5 speed. This is a hard core shifter that does not retain the stock shifter look like the Numeric short shifter and others. The reverse lockout feature is inoperable with the 5 speed but works with the 6 speed trans axle. A link to the manufacturer product website is here http://www.shop.cae-racing.de/index.php?a=25&lang=eng The CAE unit is made in Germany and was obtained from...
2 Comments

This article describes the installation of the Rennline adjustable gas pedal Revision 4 into my 2007 Cayman 2.7L. I don't know what revisions 1 - 3 were about. This unit raises the gas pedal with respect to the brake pedal to allow better heel and toe action. The unit consists of a base plate, pedal extensions, a pedal housing ( under the pedal extensions ) and a hinge bracket shown in the following photos. The parts are nicely machined from aluminum. The installation took about...
9 Comments

Car batteries have a limited life span and will someday need to be replaced in every Cayman. There are many points to consider when choosing a replacement battery and when considering whether or not you'd like to change it yourself. You may want to search our forums for discussions about batteries before you decide on a battery and/or start your replacement. The battery replacement procedure for a Cayman is not much different than that used in other cars, but different enough that I think...
51 Comments

IMPORTANT NOTICE!: The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has done extensive research and found that Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) reduce highway fatalities. Federal laws/codes require all passenger vehicles of <10,000 lbs. GVWR produced on or after September 1, 2007 to include TPMS and prohibits the act of disabling it. Applying the alteration contained below to a car that is registered for street use may violate Federal and/or State Motor Vehicle Safety Laws,...
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Today I replaced the Window Regulator in my passenger side door. It took me about four hours, including eating lunch, doing some laundry and taking crappy photos of the job. This is not a difficult job, nor does it require any special tools other than the trim removal tools and some smaller torx drivers. I think I used 20, 25 and 30, but I'm not sure. It is a little tricky maneuvering the broken Regulator and the replacement regulator behind the partially disconnected inner metal door panel....
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First, you should read the article Replacing Engine Oil and Filter written by Gator Bite. The directions and photos in that article will be invaluable for changing oil and filter on your Gen 2 Cayman as there are only a few differences. Second, although I have changed quite a bit, this article is adapted from an article by Helo Driver. If you have changed oil and filter on your Chevrolet or Ford, you should be able to change them on your Cayman. I might, however, caution that your...
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This article describes the installation of an external air to oil cooler on my 2007 Cayman 2.7L. The cooler is mounted on the left side of the trans axle with air from under the car fed to the cooler. I want to keep my engine oil temperature as close to 200 degrees as possible during hard driving on the track in sunny FL and gain some additional oil pressure promised by the deletion of the stock oil cooler. The major elements of this install are a Setrab single fan pack & mounting kit, 180...
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This article describes the installation of a trans axle oil cooler onto my 2007 Cayman 5 speed. I was inspired by Al Norton's article on RENNTRACK.com where he added a water to transmission oil cooler to his 996 Turbo. It is reversible ( no drilling of the transaxle case ). The trans axle oil cooler is a longevity modification for track operation since our Cayman trans axles are bathed in heat from both the engine and exhaust system. The system consists of an air to oil cooler, oil pump,...
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Expert Summary: You can restore scratched or clouded plastic headlight lenses using a five step process: Mask the sheet metal areas adjacent to the lenses Using 236 grit sand paper, sand the entire lens to remove scratches and discoloration Using 800 grit sandpaper, sand to the entire lens to uniform translucency Use an ultra-fine wet sand pad to remove all visible scratches from step 3 Use polishing compound as final step to bring lenses back to crystal clear
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987.1 Cayman LED Running Lights / Radiator Protectors by Mike Santowasso, Cayman Register member "Speedy" Background Several weeks ago, I threw my name in the hat for a chance to take part in a PCA sponsored project to create a “how to” documentary on the installation of a set of LED Spars on a Cayman. The LED spars can be purchased for $399 (and would be provided to me for free). They were designed and produced by PCA member and Cayman enthusiast =11967"]Joseph DeSimone. They’re a...
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I decided to make my own grill mesh to fill in the gaping holes in the rear bumper of my 2012 Cayman R. This is a very simple DIY and I did it in a few hours and for about $50. I think it turned out great. First, after much google searching and getting real smart on what kind of different mesh materials are available such as perforated, woven, or expanded, plastic, aluminum, steel, brass, etc, I came across the perfect material that I think looks much more finished than the expanded mesh...
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987.1 Center console removal/Shifter Install DIY Guide Desertdrew wrote a detailed article on the schnell short shift install - great guidance. Though, there were a couple of steps that could be eliminated (keep knob/boot in 1 piece & remove console by undoing just 1 electrical plug) to simplify the process. Note some of the pictures are rotated the wrong way - I couldn't fix them. However, you can download the PDF (pictures right-side up) here: https://www.box.com/s/25aa98e5bdceda3589c0...
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Laser Interceptor (LI) Laser Jammer Installation Procedure on 987 You can download the PDF version here: https://www.box.com/s/089dec34accb6d66be3d The write up applies to 987 (boxster & cayman), but should also be applicable to the 997 cars - just about all the components I worked with in this guide are from the 997 parts bin (i.e., they have 997 part numbers). This document also assumes you have basic knowledge working with automotive electronics, handy with tools and have standard...
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Changing a battery or suffering a dead battery is something that all of us will experience at one point or another. Our Caymans are very sophisticated. They contain many computerized control modules that may/can/will be effected by loss of battery voltage. This technical article will present the many instructions that Porsche recommends to their mechanics after loss and replacement of battery power. 1 Control Unit Memory Values and faults stored in the control units can be lost if the...
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. I was inspired to paint some of the interior trim on my Cayman R after seeing a few pics of this factory Porsche Exclusive Peridot Green example. After searching for as much info as possible on painting interior car plastics I settled on a plan. Sending parts away to a professional is an option, but expensive. Local shops may paint parts cheaply, but I don’t think they take the proper time to do it right. I do not claim to be an auto body professional, but I did get...
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This article discusses the installation of the WEVO sport engine mount into a 2007 Cayman 2.7L shown here at Tarett's website: http://www.tarett.com/items/boxster~cayman-products/986-987-engine~transmission~brakes-/semi-solid-987-986-eng-mount-detail.htm. The sport engine mount can improve the responsiveness of the car. ( Witness the 981 with computer controlled mounts ) The result of this mod has quite an impact in the cabin: You will feel alot more vibration in the seat and the steering...
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Hello Excel geeks. Ive been using excel for years to track my cars maintenance history. I finally got around to adjusting the file for my Cayman. This file is set up for a 2012 Cayman, and I know the Porsche recommended service intervals have changed several times over the years. It can be adjusted easily if you know anything about excel. Here is a link to the files section of this web site for download (or go to Photos and files/files section/misc) ...
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This is a very basic DIY and I hope to contribute more as I get to know my new Cayman over the years. But chalk it up as the first wrenching done on my new car. (I love working on cars) I wanted the safest method of getting the stickers off without trashing my brand new CR’s sun visors. So, this DIY is a summation of several DIYs that I read on the topic, that works, at least, for gen 2 vinyl Porsche sun visors. I read about the sun visor sticker removal on another forum. Ever since it...
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I managed to snap off two of the studs that hold the plastic under tray onto my Cayman. I dropped the three center under trays to start the repair because there was a broken stud on each side. The dealer and their technicians don't bother to repair broken studs and don't sell any replacement parts. Surfing the web led me to the ClickBond adhesive attached threaded studs used in maritime and aerospace applications for cable tiedown points. The ClickBond part number is CS125-1024-CR. The...
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I put a diagram together for engine cylinder and bank numbering because I always forget. This should come up in future searches. Thank you to Greywolf for the original picture. Firing Order is 1 - 6 - 2 - 4 - 3 - 5. Chuck
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3/16/13 Update: I recently received an email from RSS stating that one should perform regular inspections of the LCAs and that they had sent updated heavy duty LCA ball joint pin rebuild kits (P/N 380) free of charge. I spoke to Mike Schalke at RSS today and he explained that they were doing this to educate RSS LCA users that they need to inspect and replace wear parts on the LCAs regularly. Apparently a customer used the RSS LCAs in one car for a season and then removed the LCAs and...
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This Article discusses two accessories geared towards those who regularly track their Caymans. Jack Box NOTE: Porsche officially recommends jacking up the Cayman only at the specified lift points on the chassis; refer to Gator Bite's Tip of the Week: Lifting the Cayman Porsche's recommendation or warning notwithstanding, many of us who track our cars desire an easier way to jack up the car for swapping tires, servicing brakes, etc. Individuals and teams that race Caymans have...
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In Part 1, I covered some of the basic functions that can be performed using the Enthusiast version of the Durametric cable. In this tutorial, I will discuss some of the more advanced uses of the cable, including some Coding functions for those who purchase or borrow the Professional cable. NOTE: Some some of these functions, particularly Activations and Coding could result in damage to your vehicle, as well as disabling some of the normal safety functions of your car. You undertake these...
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INTRODUCTION Durametric is a small company which produces a Porsche diagnostic tool for use by independent service shops or individual enthusiasts, and is as close as one can come to owning the equivalent of the PIWIS system that dealer service departments use, for thousands of dollars less. Unfortunately, Durametric provides very little in the way of documentation or tutorials in the use of their tool, which is part of the reason I have decided to write this primer. Some of the...
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Wheel Alignment Values© Copyright 2011, Michael SouzaPCA Cayman RegisterBoxster/Cayman(Standard)PASM ModelsBoxster SpyderCayman R(Performance)Front Axle ValuesToe - Uncompressed Total+5' ± 5'+5' ± 5'+5' ± 5'Toe difference at 20° lock-1° 40' ± 30'-1° 50' ± 30'-1° 50' ± 30'Camber (w/wheels straight)-10' ± 15'-15' ± 15'-45' ± 15'max. difference, left to right20'20'20'Caster8° + 30'/-45'8° + 30'/-45'8° + 30'/-45'max. difference, left to right40'40'40'Rear Axle ValuesToe per wheel+5' ± 5'+5' ± 5'+5'...
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Schnell Short Shifter Installation (Shown on 2006 Cayman S with 6-speed, Bose system, no Nav or PASM) Special mention – I used this very helpful and very thorough DIY installation instructions as a starting point http://billswebspace.com/Porsche987ShortShiftDIY All instructions for a short shifter kit, on web sites or from the manufacturer were for the Boxster or Caymans with a Nav system. As I proceeded with the install, there were differences in my cars actual parts and those shown...
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A third radiator provides extra cooling margin for those of us operating in warmer climates. This thread show a few photos of a third radiator installation into a 2007 Cayman 2.7L. YMMV. I purchased the third radiator kit from Suncoast. I was pleasantly surprised to find out the car was set up to accommodate the third radiator installation. Here is the kit:
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While installing my Fire Extinguisher mount, I found that the procedure needed on my power seats is somewhat different than that needed for mechanical seats. I thought it would be a good idea to highlight and share the differences. NOTICE: This guide is ONLY for the driver's side power seat removal. Passenger seat removal & replacement requires recalibrating the Auto Weight Sensor. I installed the Rennline mount but the specifics on installing this mount will not be discussed since it...
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I recently installed an accusump on my ’06 Cayman S and I thought it might be helpful to post some info about it. This is not intended to be a step by step how-to, but more of an overview of what I did to help folks understand what is required for the install. Also, please note that I am NOT an expert at accusump installation. This is the only one I have ever installed, and while I tried to carefully follow instructions, I may have made some mistakes. However, I have done a few track days with...
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I installed the OEM fire extinguisher bracket in my 2007 Cayman recently. Here are the parts involved . Here is item 9, the bracket You will also have to buy some metric hardware: items 14 & 15 require a total of four M5-.80 X 16 bolts, lock washers and nuts; items 9, 10, 11 & 12 require three socket head M6-1.00 X 20 bolts and lockwashers. To start this caper you need to disconnect the battery, cover the sill plate with a towel and remove the driver's seat. Once the seat is out the three seat...
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This article describes how to replace the Cayman/Boxster stock oil pressure alarm switch with the dual purpose oil pressure alarm switch and oil pressure gauge transducer used in the Porsche 996 cars. The oil pressure transducer output can then be connected to a standard VDO oil pressure gauge or used to monitor oil pressure via a track data acquisition system (such as the Traqmate) or trigger an alarm using an external circuit to detect the desired alarm pressure level. Many Cayman owners...
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