A Porsche Like You've Never Seen it Before: Watch Hartech Tear Apart the Engine in My 987 Cayman S

[@JayEmmOnCars]

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[@Mcpikie]

Lee has that look of a man who just wants to be left alone 😂

[@nakoma5]

IKR, everyone looked like they wanted to be left alone. xD

[@shineybikecars]

Not too much chat back and forth 😮

[@mariemccann5895]

Probably just didn't want that prick up his backside.

[@TML34]

He ain’t got time to bleed!

[@g.w.customcreations3534]

Yeah, seems a lot like an old school welder. "Just piss off & leave me to it." kinda guy. 😂

[@gilesk]

I like this type of video, for 2 reasons, 1. Just nice to watch and learn, and 2. See someone like me on the spectrum finding a great outlet for it. 😊

[@guss2099]

I had a 2007 987 Boxster S for 4 years. Sold it last year and regretted doing it. Although the road tax now is an extortion, that was the only car that never let me down. These are built to be used, not garaged like most rich folk do. As per rusted parts, due to salt on the roads and no one really washes them underneath like we do in Italy. Smiles per gallon overload!✊🏼✊🏼

[@JonathanTravers]

Interested to know how much the tax was in Italy? In Ireland for a 2007, it would be €1809 per annum 🤢

[@GadgetMart]

Really omg

[@arnoldmiga5689]

@@JonathanTravers I know the pain as I drove S-type Jaguars back in Ireland. The tax was the most sickening thing right after insurance. There were cars I basically could not own. I had a modded S14 Siliva with basically invalid insurace due to mods. Now, in Switzerland, I drive a Z4 e89 and a 5 series F11, both 3.0 turbo, road tax for BOTH is 838 CHF (CHF is almost the same as EUR). The tax is based on weight of the car and I have one number plate I switch between cars - a brillant system because I would never drive both cars at the same time. Tax for Z4 alone was 600 CHF if I remember correctly. Same for insurance, no problem having ZERO NCB, no problem owning modded car if the parts come with certs of compliance and installation of parts is signed off by competent garage. NO surcharge for mods. Insurance on both cars, with 50k km per annum declared, one in garage, one outside (higher risk of hail damage) - 1300 CHF. It can be done in Switzerland where the wages are higher and where there is an option of public transport, why it can't be done in Ireland where car ownership is a must? Jealousy of people for having something nicer than paddy spec micra or corsa 1.0? Now not so rosy part is that I have to drive to Germany to enjoy my Z4 due to extortionate speeding fines and super lame low speed limits but I can live with it.

[@JonathanTravers]

​@@arnoldmiga5689 wow, that's a great system. Yes, Ireland is not a good country for car fans unfortunately.

[@glenkivell5961]

Lee is a legend on Porsche Engine Gurus, He has pointed a lot of people in the right direction with faults etc.

[@leejenkins1905]

Thank you @glenkivell5961

[@oliverradcliffe7974]

And now he's famous 😂

[@NeilWatt-p8j]

Love the quote from Full Metal Jacket "There are many like it but this one is mine"

[@Eksistenssi]

"this bore scoring is mine"

[@GadgetMart]

Like any machine, it can be fixed.

[@adammoreve]

I used to build modified engines for road and race with individual throttle body, the bonus of using individual throttle body is the smoothness of engine talk that they supply throughout the power range, the noticeable difference in throttle response and the speed the engines would rev's, along with adding the most fantastic intake raw. If I was to rebuild any engine, this is the first change I would make along with porting and polishing the heads and changing the exhaust system. Good luck.

[@qikqbn77]

Appreciate you Lee giving this forgotten Cayman the love that it deserves. Even the idea of a 4.1 liter engine sounds amazing. I would like to say, that after owning 5 different Porsches with these engines and driving over 400,000 miles between them, that my experience has been that they are delightful engines. Bore scoring seems to be an issue you want to keep an eye on. I send my oil in regularly for oi analysis which will give you an indication of your engines health. Bore scoring is not necessarily a death sentence. There have been many drivers that have added an additional 50,000 miles onto their engines with no issues even after the first signs of bore scoring. Even then, the only reason they rebuilt the engine was do to the annoying ticking sound from the scored engine, not because of performance or lack of performance. Depending on the car, 50,000 miles at 5000 miles annually is 10 years of ownership that you can wait before doing that rebuild. Just something to keep in mind. Bore Scoring is not catastrophic and instant dead engine like the exploding "too small" IMS bearing from 2001-2005. Keep up the great work. Looking forward to seeing your journey!

[@I999-g2s]

Bought myself a gorgeous low mileage 997 C4S x51 with PCCB’s and FSH. Paid good money given the options and condition. 5 years later, spent more than I did on the car, on a 4.3 conversion with Nikasil liners, titanium rods, high lift cams, high volume injectors etc etc. Makes just under 500bhp and has huge torque. It’s now my summer daily and miss it hugely, now winter has begun.

[@EvoraGT430]

Why not keep using it?

[@I999-g2s]

@ they salt the roads where I live. - a lot!

[@JimMammen]

I just subscribed to this thread. I used to have a gen 1 Cayman S. Zero problems but for past few years a 911 997.2S. However, mostly because I got familiar with Hartech a few years ago. I used to be a moderator on the main Porsche forum and somehow got stuck playing referee between the owners of Hartech and the US Porsche rebuild guru. Both of whom are super smart very nice guys but folks can disagree. I seem to remember it started with what exactly is the cause of bore scoring on these engines. Ended up who did or didn’t pay for advertising. Internet Brands business office should have been their issue but dumped it on me. I’m not there anymore so whatever. Looking forward to this story going forward. Owner / founder of Hartech Baz is an older guy and an engineer. Worth following.

[@TraneFrancks]

Jay, I'm a huge fan of fixing broken shit. Good on ya, man. Keeping the original kit in good nick is a great thing. I highly, _highly_ approve.

[@arthurdardalis]

I’m an ex-Porsche technician, the IPD intake plenum and GT3 throttle body show very noticeable improvements. The best exhausts for Porsche’s are made by Cargraphic in Germany, I’ve fitted loads, superb quality, noticeable power gains,

[@f.kieranfinney457]

I lost a good bit of throttle response on my base 987.2 low down with the plenum/throttle body upgrade. But mid-range torque went way up. According to IPD, the 2.9L especially benefits from this mod. It was tough to do in my driveway but not impossible.

[@salvissmudo4496]

@@f.kieranfinney457 Do you have sports chrono on your 987.2? Sharp throttle response in sport mode is one of my favorite features, that I would not want to compromise. Perhaps, IPD plenum version with 74mm OE throttle body might be more suited for 2.9 base version?

[@f.kieranfinney457]

I don’t think you’d pick up much power without the bigger throttle. The whole point of the plenum is to accommodate the bigger throttle body, really. It’s doing heavy lifting as much as the slightly different plenum shape. It’s slow off-idle. Big whiff of hesitation. Low down it’s a bit slower overall but over 2k it pops to life. You don’t get bigger torque without lots of O2. And if you’re puddling around town it’s ok. Once it’s boiling it’s nice to have more shove. It’s a less frenetic process to hustle it really fast. And let’s face it, Porsche engines could all use a bit more torque. I have my throttle pedal’s response absolutely cranked as well. Backing that off might match things up better.

[@simonyoung908]

Yep got that whole setup, plus Cargraphic full power kit.

[@JelloTypeR]

Excellent video James. This kind of content that actually shows and explains the oily bits of engines is usually glossed over.

[@tonyquickpasta]

Really interesting video Jay! Thank you. I'm looking forward to Pt 3. Great to show off the good work they do.

[@smithp573]

This is one of your best videos ever.

[@andycunns4269]

Hartech 4.1 is a GLORIOUS thing ... my 997.1 absolutely sings ❤

[@converge8008]

I love a weekly dose of JayEmm, LOVE THE HEAVIER ENGINEERING SIDE!!!

[@mrflippant]

You should go check out @M539Restorations if you want some serious wrenching pr0n. Good one to start with is his Project Marseille M70 V12 rebuild.

[@davidmoore6172]

What an amazing insite Jay, if your new cylinder head ports are as polished as your presentation skills the motor will be a peach. I wanna see 400bhp that will be one sorted Caymen.👍

[@nickbrennan2432]

Enjoyed this one. My dad used to take his 968 to Hartech back in the day and always had good things to say about them

[@LouieJackson-lj2fj]

Porsche is a very good brand when I was 7 I went to a Porsche dealership and they gave a tour and a look around the cars had a sat in a couple of the cars they also gave a gift bag and there customer service is amazing 😊

[@marcusgeorge9140]

I did the same at 8 or 9 ….. now (at 54 🤦‍♂️ … ) life permits and I have a gorgeous racing yellow 981 S … it’s fabulous!

[@f.kieranfinney457]

You haven’t been to my local dealer. They’re absolute wankers. I was having a part evaluated to see if they would repair it in hand or require the entire car to be present (they eventually chose the later and still couldn’t fix it). While I waited I went to their snack bar and reached for an M&M. Had my hand slapped. “Those are for full service customers”. Ultimately I had the problem solved for $50 by a local independent.

[@LouieJackson-lj2fj]

@f.kieranfinney457 was this in the UK or us

[@conanius]

Great to see this video. Thanks for sharing your journey ! I've got a 987.1 Cayman S (Bore score clear... for now !) - I imagine Hartech will do the cold temp thermostat as part of the rebuild, but I also got a larger and baffled sump (FVD, but Hartech make their own too) and the Centre Radiator Kit (as fitted to tiptronic cars, available very cheaply with official parts on places like eBay) to try and keep temperatures under control and give the engine the best chance of staying healthy. Really excited to see the capacity increase coupled with the new heads - 400bhp might be achievable, but the mid range shove should be fantastic. Edit - with regards the brakes, I fitted a GT3 Master Cylinder, Braided lines, and RBF600 fluid. Its made a huge difference to the feel and quality of the brakes. You can get the GT3 part that is made by TRW far cheaper by getting it without the Porsche sticker on - PMN166 is the part number. Building my dream spec car - please keep us up to date :)

[@solemods5991]

More of these videos, please JM. Love this sort of stuff, and these types of cars deserve to be brought back to life, not put on the scrap heap 🤜🤛

[@MadMike991]

And this is why I bought a 987.1 base rather than an S! Great video though, the 4.1 should be awesome!

[@TexasRiverRat31254]

Great presentation of bore scoring! I'm looking forward to see how this turns out.

[@Christianfire18]

Really like the storytelling in this video, super interesting to me as my dad picked up a 987.1 cayman s a few months ago, so seeing a teardown like this is awesome

[@garyperser2232]

I too own a 987.1 Cayman S, and I had engine failure due to cylinder #6 bore scoring, and I too had Hartech upgrade my engine for road use and occasional track days, about 4 per year. Hartech built mine to 3.9 liters, and I upgraded to forged pistons and rods to go with the closed deck upgrade. I kept the stock intake, heads, and cams because my goal was not more top end power, but more low and midrange torque. I strongly suggest Soul Performance Products Street Package, which includes Type 304L stainless steel long tube headers with integral HJS sport cats, sport mufflers, and tailpipes. Not outrageously expensive like Akropovic, but expensive. Better than Porsche OEM quality and much improved sound. Great bolt-on system that actually fits.

[@deadprivacy]

@@garyperser2232 if its always number 6, presumably 5 too? Rebuilding with ever so slightly bigger piston/cylinder clearance/s than the other 5 or 4 pots might be an idea. I think its a ford powerstroke v6 they do this too regularly as the back two regularly over heat and over expand and rip the bores up.

[@duncanajpv8]

Super video James, wish you all the best with this fantastic project!

[@DG-rk5mr]

Love this series of videos, you narrate the work well, super informative and I'm looking forward to the next episode.

[@MAXREVS]

Always liked your videos, this one was just epic. Have keenly followed everything you’re doing with your 987 and cannot wait until Jan for part 3. I’ve stopped making Cayman videos but love the fact you’re still making Porsche Cayman content.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Happy to have you here :)

[@kylem324]

Enjoying this series. Hopefully you get great results from it and the Porsche power gods smile down on your build. I’ve seen both great results from bore/striker builds, as well as builds that only match a Carrera S despite more than 0.5L of extra displacement.

[@andrewellis5092]

Utterly fascinating. I love an engine strip down! ❤

[@sintjinansley6107]

Big fan of the project. Thought this video was fantastic as well, great job.

[@jamesonslow]

Such a good video. A proper technical one with the comforting and familiar bonus of JayEmm's presentation and narration skills.

[@woodrimcars2324]

Wow very informative indeed and having had a 987.1 Boxster S for 6 years I feel very lucky. I did do the IMS seals 2 years ago as I was annoyed by the oil leak. All done in my own workshop here in France.

[@pasha12343]

Interesting video , Hartech looks like a great set up 👍😎

[@jackrech8067]

Well done, Jay! Entertaining and informative! Exhaust system/ intake options could almost be another episode!

[@MarkJohnson-wp1pp]

What a great video Jay. You've done this very well and this type of technical content is both fascinating & very watchable. Great job

[@thedrivebygg]

Great video, excited about seeing it get put back together.

[@guyroberts9963]

Looking fwd to this project James. I will follow you all the way. Im a 997 daily driver, knocking on 200k and counting and do ALL the repairs myself. I think ive pretty much touched on all the wearable items, including replacing the AOS myself (horrible job). With alot of commonality in parts i will be watching with keen interest. Good luck.

[@johnharrison8442]

Great Video Jay, love that you give enough technical input without it getting in the way of understanding the topic. As a Cayman 2.9L it's always intresting to see the engine, as you can't in the car. Cheers, and onto part 3 👍

[@LC-rj6ok]

My 987 R had a limited slip diff, think it was standard for the R's. Definitely have one in, I could always feel it doing it's magic when needed.

[@thomasshoaf9440]

Thank you for doing this build! Bore scoring with a need to do a rebuild is always in the back of my mind with my 2008 Cayman S. Once you get to the suspension I highly recommend the GT3 control arms and Öhlins Road and track coilovers. Excellent for on road use and occasional track/autocross.

[@NigelDeForrest-Pearce-cv6ek]

Fascinating!!! Godspeed and Good Luck!!!!

[@joshswan06]

Loved this one can’t wait for more.

[@chrisl2681]

"There are many like it, but this one is mine." Kills.

[@tomweller1318]

Enjoyed this really interesting. Thanks James 👍

[@0xFluke]

Finally some hard answers on these engines 🙏🏼

[@OliverIskra]

Love the edit. Looking forward to following this journey!

[@Steve-t7l]

Quite incredible seeing how many parts go in an engine.

[@simonhughes7382]

Brilliant project! Now this is what I want to see more of :D

[@davidwalker7389]

I have the old Hartech 3.9 development Cayman S. it’s bloody awesome , you’re welcome to have a go if you’re ever in Derbyshire ha

[@leejenkins-zl5xv]

My favourite car that David

[@kineticU]

Love this video. Great to see a Porsche rebuild. Cheers from USA. But still sorry for your expenses. Hopefully you find the results perfect.

[@jamesonslow]

It amazes me that with all the technology we have today, the best tool for bearing the load of a car or an engine on a jack is good old a block of wood. We all have our own favourite block of wood for this job, admit it. 🙂

[@johnwilliams727]

Super excited for this build

[@wamgoc]

James, I’m interested in buying myself a Cayman S, and so these videos are very interesting! I to, am coming around to the realisation that buying an older car instead of one of the over specked EVs or Hybrids, that are on offer, is the more sensible option! Looking forward to the future videos!

[@bennyperez8334]

James 981 cayman track junkie here awesome unique content cheers from USA👍👍

[@kurtmoore574]

Hi Jay - I have a Soul exhaust system on my 986 and love it. Simple, light and reliable. And nice vid - thanks.

[@seanstein8313]

This is fantastically well done man

[@bigchopper14]

Was great to see how the professionals at Hartech make it look so easy, when it isn't. Look forward to the next episode.

[@simonyoung908]

On my 5th Porsche of 30 years with the marque, 2nd Cayman, now on Cayman R with IPD Plenum + Cargraphic ECU and power kit. 200 cell cats Custom flash. Ohlins shocks, GT3 brakes.

[@maz2044]

Looking very fit and healthy sir!

[@psmithard]

Second this.

[@AF072]

Loving how this build is progressing! I have an early 996 C2 and dream of doing the EXACT same thing to mine but unfortunately the engine runs well.

[@petersmith2650]

Me too! My 996 doesn’t drink any oil. I was asked ‘what do you do if you get bore score?’ Reponse, perfect excuse to upgrade the engine.

[@TomSL55AMG]

Awesome walk through. It just might make me build one!

[@crazyjay7676]

I like the Full Metal Jacket reference to your engine.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

That film school education paying off at last

[@RichardHarrold1991]

@@JayEmmOnCars at least this way you don't end up with a Full-of-Metal Water Jacket...

[@PenryMMJ]

Placing my bet: It'll come out OK, because James does cars properly. But it will be expensive....

[@benpenagonzales6014]

Exciting James! When I bothered to read my 996.2 service history it had a full engine rebuild but only new pistons and liners on 4,5,6. Every little helps I guess 😂

[@caymanjoe2527]

This is probably the best video I’ve ever seen loved every minute of it…

[@MF-jp5vp]

Fascinating! Big Thanks.

[@darren2346]

We need more videos like this!! Amazing!!

[@jamesgreenwood9464]

Great video as always… would love to see a detailed video on the engine build / spec (please!)

[@daggidding4478]

Great episode, James! I love these type of in depth items. And then, of course, commented in your understated humorous way 😁👍

[@twistedgaming8450]

Own a 987.1 and love it, have had the carnewal exhaust fitted originally which was good as was louder then stock and had no drone but missed the gt notes at higher rpm much like the oem exhaust. Switched out to a valved designtek exhaust last summer and my did it change the car! Valves closed you can pootle about like oem and then when you want to give it the beans on a b road flick open the valves and listen to it scream at redline with similar notes to the gt3’s. Overall comes down to personal preference but a lot of the 987 exhausts are just carbon copies of eachother with different pricing and for the price of the designtek one it’s hard to beat!

[@GM-fh5jp]

Good video project, James. Seems to be a good deal of interest in the comments so far. Looking forward to seeing this one progress to completion (Rattarossa take note)

[@peterdenyer3441]

Was only thinking a couple of days ago when we would get a Cayman update 😂 want to thank you for your hard work, everything you upload is a dose of automotive therapy against a world of beige garbage.

[@JohnCIronside]

Great video series. Very informative and as ever, impeccably presented and arranged. Look forward to the next instalment.

[@RunningFast]

Definitely do the LSD. I have a stroked 4L cayman and have driven 4.5L cayman, you have to remember it's not just power, the big block is going to add a huge chunk of torque that will absolutely roast the tires. Honestly, all this work is almost wasted without an lsd to get the power down. You might also be doing yourself a disservice by not going to a larger intake, at least a larger center plenum so you can fit a larger tb.

[@iancharlton678]

I did contemplate a very affordable 911 with known scoring, intending to go the Hartech route…….. then balked 🙁 It took a lot of thinking, but in the end I had to get some Mezger DNA……… my 996 turbo coupe is my forever car, silver with carbon stripes and black Fuchs (lookey likey rims), last seen in the JayEmm parking at Porsche in the park 🎉⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Looking forward to seeing this completed……..🎉

[@Gorbyrev]

Loved that James, great video. Well done sir. Looking forward to part 2.

[@misterdroneboy8999]

Brilliant video! Great to see you mixing it up

[@ian_987]

Really nice cinematography in this video, helps to make an already interesting teardown more compelling. I would be weeping at the invoice though.

[@tonyharper5604]

Just on exhaust and manifolds, I have a 996 and went Top Gear headers and Milltek Super Cup exhaust and very pleased with the combination. No drone but nice, throaty sound under acceleration. I believe both of these are available for the Cayman.

[@createanddestroy]

Exhaust upgrade that is worth it, Carnewal GT Exhaust, you have to ship your exhaust to Belgium, but Gert does a lovely job in modifying the exhaust and making it sound fruitier without making it too loud. ;)

[@MichelHenriTonneau]

Lovely time; quite exiting to watch part 3 indeed

[@09juliancarr]

Loved this video James, great job on presenting, filming, sound and editing

[@timmusick9875]

Well done! Looking forward to your updates.

[@speedyben]

Good to see an update on Project Better-er!

[@christianpratt]

It’s the full works then! You’ll have one of the nicest engines anywhere once that’s all tweaked and improved and back in the car. Much to look forward to. 👍

[@Spenny909]

KZbin needs to enable a double-like button. Nice watch, James.

[@Spenny909]

Another one for the JayEmm drinking game, 🍸 each time James looks at his Nove watch.

[@katiefenn1049]

Best video you've ever done 👍

[@dwarfyh32]

Mine 996 is circa 380bhp and 460Nm with the crusty stock exhaust which I do need to replace fairly soon so you should easily see well over 400bhp with the Slakker heads fitted and a decent exhaust set up . For road use I havent found the standard brakes leaving me feeling like it needs more stopping power but more is always a good thing. Bet you cant wait to get it up & running now

[@davebarron5939]

So nice you have exceptional experience at video / movie making, your background music doesn't overpower your voice. Thanks.

[@warrenlucier5796]

The Cayman R has an LSD, but I recommend fitment of the wavetrack assembly.

[@markhumberstone7068]

very interesting, look forward to episode 3

[@user-sg6xv2kb8s]

That music is rockin' 🎸

[@jpt757]

Thanl you James. I enjoyed this video.

[@adrianbennett3761]

A Cargraphic exhaust might be the answer as the Akropovic ones are extortionate

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Cargraphic isn't cheap!

[@adrianbennett3761]

@ Cheaper than Akropovic. A lot of KZbinrs use Miltek, Scorpion and Quiksilver. One of those might do you a mega deal

[@johnsnowdon2939]

@@JayEmmOnCars very good quality for the price though. Just fitted one of their wastegate bypass pipes to my 1993 964 Turbo (it's a peculiarity of the way the single turbo on the 930 and 964 Turbo is mounted that the left hand exhaust is basically just connected to the wastegate), and it's gorgeous; much better than something like Fabspeed. No Porsche exhaust is 'cheap' though! :D

[@TML34]

@@JayEmmOnCarsMeisterschaft. Get it just for the name. 😅

[@andyglastonbury6032]

I put a Cargraphics cup pipe and Cat by-pass on my 964 about 19 years ago. Still perfect👍

[@kaiharrod]

Have 987.1 3.4s too, whilst the engines out, if the 2 rear brake pipes (hard lines) haven’t been replaced do them, and whilst it’s off road I’d do the rest of any originals, you’ll thank me later!!! Brakes- properly refurbed (seals / pistons) stock brakes with quality pads and braided hoses are excellent. You can upgrade to a 27mm master cylinder but probably won’t really notice benefit on road. Intake - I’ve spent hours on YT / forums listening to all the views, my conclusion for 3.4 little benefit without ecu remap and only obvious on track / instant license ban speeds. However it’s likely that 4.1 with open exhaust will require higher intake flow rate above 5k (hence why on gt2/3) You need to increase intake system right through (which many overlook) from airbox, maf, 82mm throttle body, TB plenum connection, unclear from bench tests that IPD cast v Porsche plastic or cheaper alloy is worth it. The rest of intake plenum/manifold is barely different across range except GT cars for power 9k+ rpm. ECU remap 100% needed for intake mods but you’ll be doing anyhow to match 4.1.

[@kaiharrod]

M97 Intake logic - shortest summary - kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWSoh6V6aMypmM0si=hykYW4j1E8yKfFmV

[@goldfever4570]

great vid sir.

[@simoningate2056]

Fascinating, a bit scary and possibly expensive - you are very brave.

[@ManinaGarage]

Great video! 👍