REVEALED: NINE top upgrades for the Porsche 987 Cayman!

[@tomharding2388]

Currently considering a 987 as my next car, some great tips of things to look out for!

[@popeye9048]

You won't regret it.

[@JJL206]

What about the AOS? Or drilled rotors with ceramic pads? Good “rule-of-thumb” for maintenance: Replace all your bits on the regular Porsche maintenance schedule. Also consider these additional upgrades: An Apple CarPlay / Android Auto head unit and a back-up camera, a nice wood shift knob, and some coco mats. Not “performance” related, but they make the cockpit a nicer place to be. Get rid of the airbag, on a Cayman? NFW…! Put the Momos in the older 911’s. Perfect place for them.

[@rossbethell4187]

@jjl206 where do you get the wooden shift knob?

[@JJL206]

@@rossbethell4187 Sorry, just saw this (12/29)... Got it from Manuel Campuzano in Mexico City. Google him!

[@ian_987]

Found this at the right time - just bought a 987 for track days. Coilovers and braided hoses were on the list already, but the low temp thermostat and K&N filter hadn't crossed my mind. Will add them to the list.

[@simonleiper2426]

GT3 brake ducts and race brake fluid makes massive difference on track

[@kaplanmb]

Lot of good recommendations here for sure, but eliminating the airbag is a non-starter for me. Any recommendations for steering wheel upgrades while maintaining the safety features? Also, I assume if you eliminate the airbag, you’d need to do some programming to avoid the dash light warning?

[@Henders72]

You fit a resistor to simulate the airbag, simple wire change with KZbin videos on how to do.

[@1ROCKY89]

Thanks for the tips. Particularly the expansion tank. 987.1 is lovely. 4 years and 39k original miles I’ve only had to replace the 17 year old coolant hoses and air oil separator. The manual and pedal feel is excellent. As good as any of my four Porsches.

[@hughmann1908]

Exhaust should have been number 1 lol My has the Carnewal and I love it.

[@sul6an92]

Oh I love the Borla on mine

[@chesspiece81]

Deman in America has an engine package for the Cayman to greater than GT4 spec. Since the GT4 RS is so expensive, upgrading an older Cayman sounds like the ticket.

[@cookierc7267]

Will the 987 still pass MOT if you change the steering wheel? I thought as it has an airbag as standard that you need to keep it.

[@a64738]

I am not sure how it works but here in Norway repair shops is know for buying cars that have been scrapped after crashing and not replacing the airbags when they fix the car for sale is standard procedure. I do not know how they get it past the EU control / MOT as it is same rules here with if you have airbag it must be working. I think it works in that you have to remove the airbags and all makings of it having airbags and print in the car data that is has no airbags and you are good to go?

[@pnug9040]

Your very first upgrade is to remove the stock steering wheel for a non-airbag wheel because it feels better. Really? How about something that doesn't remove a key safety item. Let's see, underdrive pulley to keep the brake fuel cooler & a couple of added ponies. More frequent oil changes to reduce the chance of bore scoring. Replace the stock oil slump with a deeper one, a windage tray & 996 swirl pots that help to defoam the oil before it's returned to the sump. This is something you should be doing at a minimum before doing chassis upgrades, because oil starvation is an issue if you track your car. Now, for the radiator issues, maybe some grills to protect them and solve the problem before they need to be replaced. GT3 master cylinder to go with the braided brake lines and better hi-temp fluid. FYI, the K&N filters have fitment issues, and are a pain to install. Also, excess oil when reoiling the filter can create MAF sensor problems. Battery maintainer if it's not or DD. I know you're trying to sell parts, but at least do a better job looking at a 987.1S specific needs for upgrades.

[@GTFour]

You’ll fail MOT fitting a non airbag steering wheel though

[@julian987r4]

A car that would have originally had a steering wheel with an airbag, which has been removed to fit a non airbag steering wheel, will fail an MOT with new rules that are coming into law.

[@danjones8934]

Was thinking the same thing, must be a loophole though?

[@icanbelievemyeyez4653]

I don’t even own a cayman… One day and will do this☝️🤓🎈lol

[@seanysyang]

Where's the shift cable upgrades!?

[@9WERKSTV]

Well, why don't you disclose for the benefit of the community? sharing is caring!

[@N911GT2]

None of these I would consider upgrades. If a cayman had these mods I would walk away. Cheap rubbish.

[@Mellowbiker]

Agreed - possible exception of the SS brake lines.

[@raymondadams5779]

The 80s called and they want their steering wheel back. But seriously, Momo can't make a modern legal and safe wheel? Maybe add suspension control, better still suspension, exhaust and chrono controls?

[@jadmann]

Buy the parts and incur a cost plus 25% Porsche tax. And, wait for the estimated cost for labor! Due to a mid-engine design, and the difficulty to get to the engine, you’ll be sorry! You’ll make some local garage rich and laughing all the way to the bank. The car parts and labor costs are both a money suck. So, CAVEAT EMPTOR!

[@turnerables]

I mean if you’re a real Motorsports enthusiast wouldn’t you be doing your own work anyways;)

[@norbertosolis9491]

Who buys a Cayman to send it to a work shop? Be a man and work on your own car such a 🐱

[@a64738]

@@turnerables True and those who do it themselves say Porsche Cayman is not bad to work on yourself if you have a way to get access to the underside of the car as that is where most work will be done from.