Planet 9

CaymanSpec Racing · #1 12-31-2009, 08:28 PM

Below are a few Phase 1 build photos for the first CaymanSpec Racer. Phase 1 is expected to include interior removal and safety equipment installation. Future phases will include suspension changes, aero modifications, etc.

Enjoy (or cry):

littlebulldogg · #2 12-31-2009, 08:51 PM

I did cry a bit

**Slatfatf** · #3 01-06-2010, 06:47 PM

Looks like my old car!

**KS-CS** · #4 01-06-2010, 09:25 PM

Originally Posted by Slatfatf

Looks like my old car!

Except I don't think the turboencapsulator is allowed in the Spec class . . .

**K-Man S** · #5 01-06-2010, 09:38 PM

So how much did it weigh with all of that stripped out?

Schwabe · #6 01-07-2010, 06:14 AM

Or other question what was the heaviest you guys removed aside of the seats?

CaymanSpec Racing · #7 01-07-2010, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by K-Man S

So how much did it weigh with all of that stripped out?

Have not weighed the car with everything stripped. Cage is going in now and should be complete next week.

Another Cayman built to a similar spec, by the same shop, weighed 2600# only missing the doors.

I suspect that the car will be slightly less 2700 pounds w/o driver. The wing will add a bit more.

Should have a good weight in a couple of weeks.

Cheers,

CaymanSpec Racing · #8 01-07-2010, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by Schwabe

Or other question what was the heaviest you guys removed aside of the seats?

Do not know for sure. The interior if you count it as one unit. Otherwise it is likely the HVAC system, inlcuding heater core, evaporator, condensors, etc.

Cheers,

Iwannacayman · #9 01-08-2010, 02:31 AM

Don't forget to install the flux capacitor.

CaymanSpec Racing · #10 01-15-2010, 12:44 PM

Several more photos of the cage build. Cage should be complete today.

CaymanSpec Racing · #11 01-20-2010, 06:15 PM

Several more photos. Cage is almost complete, just a couple of more gussets on the door bars and net hardware.

Cheers,

**Gilles** · #12 01-20-2010, 09:20 PM

Originally Posted by CaymanSpec Racing

Several more photos. Cage is almost complete, just a couple of more gussets on the door bars and net hardware.

Cheers,

Looking good with nice clean welds..! Are you going to change the color?

White would look great

CaymanSpec Racing · #13 01-20-2010, 09:47 PM

Originally Posted by Gilles

Looking good with nice clean welds..! Are you going to change the color?

White would look great

Thanks Gilles. The fabricators, Nick and Danny at Vision, did an excellent job.

No, we are going to paint the inside of the car black. May ultimately wrap the outside, but for now the budget is going into the build.

Cheers,

Pcay60 · #14 01-21-2010, 06:17 AM

Are you going to add a horizontal bar just below the steering column running across the car? Really helps to stiffen the front end of the cage and protects driver's legs.

CaymanSpec Racing · #15 01-21-2010, 08:10 AM

Originally Posted by Pcay60

Are you going to add a horizontal bar just below the steering column running across the car? Really helps to stiffen the front end of the cage and protects driver's legs.

Thank you for the concern, but no as it is not necessary in later model cars. In fact, the Porsche GT3 Cup does not use a "knee bar" from the factory.

There is a lateral support already present behind the dash and lateral crash protection built into the tub. The cage is tied directly to the firewall, and this structure, through the supports welded at the front of cage to the footbox (see last picture).

Cheers,

Daytona · #16 01-21-2010, 08:43 AM

I have a question regarding the welds I see in the photos. I see some Mig and Tig welds securing the cage to the body structure. Many of the body panels that make up the Cayman S are made of Boron Steel and some of the other ultra high strength steels. These types of steel are heat sensitive and are not meant to be welded using an arc process. What kind of precautions are being taken to prevent the weakening of these metal panels? or are you welding to points in the car that are not made of these steels?

Thank you.

CaymanSpec Racing · #17 01-21-2010, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by Daytona

I have a question regarding the welds I see in the photos. I see some Mig and Tig welds securing the cage to the body structure. Many of the body panels that make up the Cayman S are made of Boron Steel and some of the other ultra high strength steels. These types of steel are heat sensitive and are not meant to be welded using an arc process. What kind of precautions are being taken to prevent the weakening of these metal panels? or are you welding to points in the car that are not made of these steels?

Thank you.

Daytona,

Honestly I do not know. I do know that a different process was used to secure the mild steel plates to the body than to weld the Chom-Moly cage tubes (although the stich welds to the chassis did use the same process).

The folks that built the cage have significant experience building Porsche race cars (as well as campaigning facotry race cars) so I must trust that they know what they are doing.

Cheers,

CaymanSpec Racing · #18 01-27-2010, 05:48 PM

The build continues to proceed. Cage is complete. Interior is nearly finished. Suspension and aero underway. Should be on track next week.

Here is a recent photo the interior, minus the seat and a couple of trim parts:

Cheers,

Dirty Evo · #19 01-29-2010, 06:01 PM

watching this very intently... I plan to do the same thing to my car in the next 1-2 years if all holds up well with business for the next year or so...

I would be interested to know the cost of your total build once you are done (not including the car of course, just all the mods / safety, etc)

**Augie** · #20 01-30-2010, 02:09 AM

I was a link to a site that had a package for the CS-R and it was like $89K. I assume that was plus you supplying to the car

?? Does that seem right ?