Planet 9

I know there's a wide array of feelings in regard to naming one's car and/or applying a gender to it. Personally I've never been able to find a suitable name for mine. It just seems weird to me, to personify a machine with a name. But I do imagine my Cayman S is female. Considering the amazing curves and sexy hips that Porsche has provided, it's hard for me to imagine it any other way. A feminine identity also matches the personality of the car. The Cayman is strong, but not brutal. It's flexible and capable of carving turns the way a skilled ballerina works a dance floor. It's light on its feet with agility, stamina and endurance. It's undeniable to me. The Cayman is definitely female. My Cayman S has always been a docile and easy going female. This weekend I met one that was bipolar. I rode in a Cayman S that was equipped with a TPC Turbo kit, and believe me when I tell you, that car was seriously pissed off.

At the controls was none other than Mike Levitas, owner of TPC Racing and winning Grand Am race team owner/driver. At first he showed me how normal and docile the TPC Cayman S could be. We proceeded up a small incline as though we were driving to work or running an errand. He showed me how quiet the exhaust note was, how normal the car felt when driven easily. From the passenger seat it didn't feel any different than any other Cayman except for the fact that it sounded a little different. The tone was deep and muted. As the car's creator, Mike knew just how to push her buttons. He dropped the go pedal and the car instantly bursts into a rage and lost its temper. It screamed out loud and protested by lighting up the rear wheels. Mike held on as the powertrain tried to rip its way through the rest of the car. The tail hung out 5 degrees or so and I could feel the back tires delivering a perfectly smooth power slide. The pavement was screaming for mercy as the tires abused it into submission, but Mike didn't back off. He taunted her for a few seconds longer, which results in some rather stunning acelleration.

I've been in a few very powerful cars, and I expected the Turbo charged CS to be strong. I didn't expect 5 psi of boost to do that....! The car was as fast as some late model 996/997 Turbos I'd been in, but far more raw and visceral. Where a modern day 911 Turbo delivers a smooth rush of torque without drama, the TPC Turbo Cayman S reminded me more of a mid 80's 911 Turbo, only with a lot more power. At some point the car crosses a line that would make most drivers suddenly doubt their abilities. It delivers brute force acceleration that forces you to pay real close attention to gear selection and steering angle.

I asked Mike if the car had an LSD inside, and he told me that he did in fact install a custom Guard Transmission LSD. He began telling me all about clutch packs, acceleration/deceleration ratios, foot pounds, and so on. He went super geek on me, which I love, and which also confirmed to me that Mike knows the Cayman platform like few people I've met.

We also had a chance to speak about suspension. That's when Mike's Race experience becomes really clear. I haven't met anyone who's displayed more knowledge about the Cayman's suspension and how it should be setup. In a few short minutes he spit out all sorts of knowledge about alignment, differentials, spring rates, roll bars, and so on. This guy instantly earned my respect. I wish I lived closer to TPC because I'd love to pick his brain more. If you live close by, consider yourself lucky and do yourself a favor; stop by and meet Mike for yourself. I think you'll come to a similar conclusion.

You guys know I'm a skeptic. I put a lot of thought into every mod I try, and I'd be the first to tell you that every mod brings drawbacks. In regard to Turbo kits, I've always worried about reliability and longevity. There's a lot of added heat and mechanical stress to deal with when you boost an engine's torque output by 50%. Mike told me they've delivered more than a few Turbo kits (I was actually stunned by the number). Many of these cars are used extensively on the track, which is the ultimate proving ground because of the frequent long durations of full throttle. That suggests to me that the Cayman engine is stronger than I had previously thought. Perhaps more time is needed to convince guys like me. But let me tell you this. If you'd like to have one bad *** Cayman, if you'd like a Cayman that's bipolar and has a short temper, if you appreciate being scared when the pedal meets the carpet, then you might like a TPC Turbo Cayman S. But proceed with caution and bring a permission slip from your wife. My visit to TPC ended up costing me a $1,000.

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Gator Bite
PCA Cayman Register Advocate

I don't visit very often. If you'd like to contact me, you can send me an e-mail.

Great summation!

It was rather refreshing to hear Mike's enthusiasm when he was speaking to us. He truly has a passion for Porsche cars. I'm looking forward to seeing the upcoming articles in Excellence magazine.

I can't wait to hear Pete's take on his ride.... especially the little "power slide" at the end! (wish I had gotten a pic of his expression ....priceless!)

Nice post Gator!

I was also fortunate enough to receive a test ride from Mike in the Cayman during the open house yesterday.

Now just last Saturday I was at Lime Rock for two hot laps in a new 2009 BMW M3 coupe and was blown away by the torque and acceleration of the V8. With that experience still fresh in my mind, I can definitely say the TPC Cayman felt even stronger then that when accelerating.

The BMW M3 had more room to get up to speed since it was a track, but in the relatively short distance we had on the road with the TPC Cayman, it pulled harder according to my butt dyno. Both of my feet were lifted off the passenger footwell when Mike accelerated.

I specifically asked him to put the car in 6th a bit at 40-50 MPH to see if there was any droning and there wasn't any. This is a car that can definitely be driven on a daily basis and won't drive you nuts with noise.

The TPC Cayman even pulled harder than the Panamera 4S that I test drove last Tuesday, but that's more of a apple-to-oranges comparision. I'd love to test drive a Panamera Turbo to compare however!

And that powerslide at the end was something else. I had full confidence in Mike's car control ablility, the expression on my face was only for the benefit of the peanut gallery...

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Pete
2008 Meteor Grey Cayman S
2007 Blue Slate Infiniti G35s 6-speed

yep, that's how it feels and I DD mine 52 miles one way.

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VIDS
Cayman Turbo 520HP

One more thing to add.

The suspension on the car felt a little bit firmer then my PASM Cayman with PASM on sport mode.

I'm not sure what suspension this car was running, maybe Casey can chime in on that.

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Pete
2008 Meteor Grey Cayman S
2007 Blue Slate Infiniti G35s 6-speed

How would you compare it to your 997TT? My impression was that a 997TT might be a bit faster delivering more torque over a broader range. If modified, I'm sure the 997 TT would run away. But the TPC CS seemed to fit my idea of a good time better. I mean how cool is it to be able to just hang the *** end out and turn your tires into smoke, just because you feel like it? You can't do that with a 997TT. The all wheel drive tames the car, maybe too much for those serious thrill seekers.

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Gator Bite
PCA Cayman Register Advocate

I don't visit very often. If you'd like to contact me, you can send me an e-mail.

Excellent writing. Thanks Mike!

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Casey Parkin : Washington, DC

Porsche of Silver Spring
301.890.4684 (Call for Porsche Sales Related Questions)
Sales & any other Porsche Questions you might have!
cparkin@mileone.com

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Brian's car has the TPC JRZ double ajustable shocks and springs set up for the track. I was also lucky enought to be chauffered by Mike. The car was smooth and quiet as we cruised up Rt1 but it pulled like a freight train as Mike tipped in the throttle. Third gear felt like 1st in my car. Absolutly no droning in 6th between 2-3k. A clasic Dr Jeckle & Mr. Hyde performance. The perfect stelth mobile to drive to the track to hunt GT3's, Z06's & F430's

If you want serious power for street & track forget exhaust's, plenum's & software. Do it right the first time & drop the car & a bag of money at TPC! lol

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Daily Driven CS Supercar "Leaps GT3's In A Single Bound"

You drove, heard and felt the turbo CS, a very angry beast when kicked hard. The exhaust note in the high RPMs of the TPC turbo exhaust is just very aggressive. Love it.

I finally got my exhaust on the 997tt before I could not hear anything from the engine inside the car. Completely quiet. Brombacher FVD exhaust Sound Version on Vimeo

The 997tt has much shorter 1st and 2nd gear and a much more responsive e-throttle than the Cayman. I guess a simple way for Porsche to make the Cayman less of a threat to the 997 platform. This also made room for such things as the sprint booster. I have in my CS the X51 clutch upgrade and the LWFW. I have not driven the car since Mike added the race header and the boost controller. But in comparison the CS revs much slower than the 997tt, also the redline in the 997tt starts at 6,500 and requires you to get through 1st and 2nd real fast. When you run with sport chrono on in the 997tt, you also get the overboost which my feeling is really kicks in above 5,500 and gives another surge. My not-measured, not-quantified, subjective feeling is that the 997tt accelerates faster, has a turbo lag and is less engaging than the CS turbo, it is much more of a GT. The sound of the CS turbo makes you want to bleep the throttle and shift as much as possible. The CS turbo is the more fun car to drive. I did not have the 997tt long before Mike added 100hp and my 997tt has currently 500AWDHP. So my feeling for the 997tt being faster might be skewed and included the already boosted hps.
My stock 997tt showed 407hp on TPCs dyno, my CS turbo after the first turbo installation showed 424hp at the wheels. I have not seen the dyno after the last upgrade. So wheight and hp are in favor of the CS turbo but I feel that the gearing in the 997tt gives it the edge in pure acceleration. No question the CS is more fun to drive.

Again have an over nighter up North and I' ll bring the CS with me and you all can test it again.

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VIDS
Cayman Turbo 520HP

Humm, well our Holiday Party is on a Sunday (12/6) Connecticut, maybe we can find some excuse to do something as a group that Saturday also. The only problem might be the weather.

2nd Annual Nor'Easter Holiday Party, Sun 12/6

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Pete
2008 Meteor Grey Cayman S
2007 Blue Slate Infiniti G35s 6-speed

Sorry I missed it!

I am not sure which or how many cars they gave test drives in but the black, debadged, Cayman was mine. Dominic's car was the good looking one!

I've worked with TPC over the last year to build me a strong track car. It's taken a lot of time and $$$ but it's been worth it to me. The car is an absolute blast to drive on track. Not so great on the street but not too bad. TPC really knows how to setup these cars and I am lucky to have them so close.

Did someone say powerslide? Who's car was that?

No worries, they only drove YOUR car ... all glory belongs to the black beast ....

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VIDS
Cayman Turbo 520HP

Fantastic review Gator. Mike's knowledge really is amazing...jaw dropping almost. 30 seconds in person with him should convince everyone of that. He is truly passionate about Porsche, about racing, and about building the absolute greatest go-fast modifications you can possibly buy. If it doesn't make power or help decrease lap times, he WILL NOT sell it.

Gator: Sorry about your wallet; we should have warned you guys this could happen before you came. Maybe if you put a couple stones in your wallet your wife won't notice...for a little while.

Brian's car is equipped with JRZ RS PRO coilovers. While they are double adjustable, I don't want people to confuse them with the JRZ Race Double Adjustable Coilover which is nearly twice as costly. The JRZ RS PRO setup is great for those who track their cars a lot but don't drive them so much daily, as they are a bit firm for most back sides. But when they hit the track, the other cars just better stay out of your way....

Mike !!!!!!!

That was the red one......

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Gator Bite
PCA Cayman Register Advocate

I don't visit very often. If you'd like to contact me, you can send me an e-mail.

It's not the first time he's done it in my car and I would expect nothing less. Hope you guys enjoyed it.

He was nice, dont worry about it Did you win the soccer game?

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Casey Parkin : Washington, DC

Porsche of Silver Spring
301.890.4684 (Call for Porsche Sales Related Questions)
Sales & any other Porsche Questions you might have!
cparkin@mileone.com

PSS Facebook Page

RSVP for the Porsche of Silver Spring 991 Preview Event

Yes 2-0, thanks for asking. I almost came to the Open House because I thought we might forfeit. We had 5 girls sick with the flu, no subs and several girls other girls that should have stayed home because they looked sick.

Back to the car talk!

Nice write up Gator. I was most interested in your response when this trip was comming up; as you are/were a skeptic regarding the m97 engine and how well it would hold up. Ultimately, only time will tell regarding reliability of this set-up. ---- 45,000 miles with the turbo set-up and counting -- although only as a daily driver.

Peter

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TPC ATP 2 Turbo Stage 2 Package, Large Turbo, Fabspeed Headers, ECU, TPC Lightweight Flywheel, 997 X51 Clutch, TPC Sway Bars, LSD, Custom Manufactured Drop Links, Front Pads/GT3 Pagid 19's, GT3 Spark Plugs, 3M Clear Bra, Tinted Side and Rear Windows, Smoke Tinted Tail Lights, Premium Package, Ipod/Aux Input.

Yeah, I am a skeptic. Maybe I'm over reacting. I've read too many posts about engines popping, but I do realize that most if not all of those happen under specific circumstances.

Playing devils advocate, on the other side of the coin that is, the crankcase in our M97.21 is essentially the same crankcase used all the way to the 3.8L X-51 with a different bore. That being said, the crankcase should have no problem with more power. Same with the bearing journals, etc... My worry centers around the pistons and rods.

On a street driven car, I honestly don't think the Turbo kit will make much difference in reliability. On the street, boost is used very infrequently. Even if you think you're in it all the time, if you actually look at the duty cycle you'll find that the % of time on boost is very small (or you'd lose your license), allowing the engine to dissipate the heat and deal with the torque.

On a track car, you're pedal to the metal a LOT more. I'd keep my eye on those cars. According to Mike, he's got a LOT of kits out there (almost triple digits), and we haven't heard of any blowing up. So watch guys like BMWalsh and time will tell.

I suspect that TPC is going to find themselves in a bad spot somewhere around 2010/2011. Why? Because by then there will be a lot more real world miles documented, and many US Caymans will be coming off of warranty. If my suspicion is correct, I think TPC may find themselves selling these kits faster than they can make them.

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Gator Bite
PCA Cayman Register Advocate

I don't visit very often. If you'd like to contact me, you can send me an e-mail.