Short answer, absolutely. It's a Porsche, and it performs like you would expect the name Porsche to

I have a Non-S 987.1 Boxster, and it is nothing short of spectacular. The S is of course better in every way.

It seems farfetched to say, but at an autocross event, I was able to drive a Ferrari F430 for 4 laps of the autocross course. The Boxster really reminds me a lot of that Ferrari. There's a certain effortless nimbleness. It just does whatever you tell it to.

The most recent thing I've driven with an LSD is the Subaru BRZ. That car is treated like a golden standard for an agile, communicative, nimble and tossable car. There was not a single thing I could do in the BRZ that the Boxster doesn't do better. Boxster is better in EVERY WAY. You would be going from a Miata to a Porsche, that's definitely an upgrade

Just my 2 cents [emoji1]




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Better than the BRZ in every way? That's all I need to hear.

 

Cayman S has an electronic LSD, which is computer controlled and works virtually identical to a clutch-type LSD in practice, but is better in many ways. (The only real complaint is some drivers cooking the rear brakes during extended track sessions.) The mid-rear engine and rear weight bias puts more weight on the rear tires and really helps improve rear grip on corner exit. However, Cayman S also has PSM which is coupled with a ton of nannies designed to keep Porsche's customers out of ditches, nannies which can never be completely disabled. If you want this car for autocross, make sure you get Sport Chrono, which opens up the engagement window for PSM and helps keep it from interfering with your fun. (With PSM left on in normal mode, a spinning tire will lead to traction control cutting power. I can't recall the specifics for 987.1S, but in my 987.2S, I can go full drift in Sport+ even with PSM left on, and it will only engage if my back end comes out something like 30 degrees from my direction of travel. An adjustable GT3 front swaybar helps balance the car, too.

Randol, I really like the BRZ; I thought it actually handled better than my 986S. It's handling at the limit is simply telepathic and it's so much easier to control oversteer than my 986S and 987.2S Boxsters. And the tires are way cheaper than ours, too, lol. It's on my short list of cars that I'd daily drive. That said, I still bought the Boxster S!

 

I have had two cars with LSD, one a Toyota Celica GT and the later MX5 1.8 SE both handled well for their kind but every Porsche that I have owned and they include transaxle cars and Boxster S, 2006 Cayman S and 2011 Cayman S all handle better than both of those cars and none have had LSD. In the case of the Caymans they have PSM ( Porsche Stability Management ) which will operate individual brakes to aid control unless you choose to switch it off and if you have Chrono pack sports mode it will reduce the effective intrusion when switched on while increasing throttle response. For road use it almost replaces the LSD but is considered by many to be
necessary for track.

 

My 981 Cayman S did not have PTV, and yes I thought it needed it. Even for street use, mine would spin the inside rear tire when turning from a stop sign or red light. Of course, it was even worse on wet pavement. I am a leadfoot, in case anybody wonders why. I like sunny day blasts in my Porsche, and like to accelerate in the high torque end of the range.
My 991.1 C2S has PTV, and just grips and goes, when turning and hitting it hard.
If shopping for a Cayman, I'd look for an S or GTS with PTV. Unless you're a Sunday driver who just lazily drives it like it's a Prius.
If I had a Cayman without PTV I was going to keep a long time, and like track or autocross events, I'd probably get a Guards differential installed, like what the race shops typically do for Caymans.

 

Thank you everyone for your responses.

I am much more confident now with the idea that the Cayman is still great with the open diff. Of course it makes sense that it will be since the weight of the engine is on the rear end and the inclusion of PSM just makes it all better.

Just to be clear, is PSM standard on the cars?

 

PSM is standard. PASM is the option.

 

It's got better than a limited slip... It's a Porsche!

 

for street driving no lsd is fine unless you encounter lots of rain

for track/auto x you need lsd no question. i put a lsd as my first mod before i tracked

Guard Transmission |

 

As track and autocross are the eventual plans, I will add an LSD in the future. Thank you.

 

My advice is to go to a Porsche drivers training, not DE, but a class intended to show you how to fully utilize the unique abilities of all Porsches. Its a real eye opener, with a wet skid pad, fast slalom with a 180 turn to return to start, Braking exercise, apex exercise (figure 8) and a couple of auto cross exercises, the later one for all volenteer Porsche club instructors as well as participants. The neat thing about this course is the ride along by seasoned Porsche people, Guys and Girls with a lot of time in both autocrossing and Porsche racing. The wet skid pad and braking exercises point out the ability of the Cayman to work with and without the nanny. You can see other Porsches, BMW's and other cars, do these exercises, with and without their nannies. My Cayman S had a hard time drifting in the wet skid pad, with the nanny off. A LSD would make the car push much more, which means bigger front sway bar, bigger front tire patch and other modifications to correct the balance. I run P4 class and do not want to run against GT4 and GT3 if possible with modifications outside of stock.

 

2nd this - my experience in Atlanta was exceptional! Almost got sick spinning around so much and the instructor was bang on. Best 500 bucks you could spend. I would definitely do this before I modded my car heavily, possibly changing the geometry and/or engineering. It will help you see the difference after any upgrades as well.

 

I have a 2006 Cayman S with almost zero options (bi-Xenon and Bose are it).

I have had the H&R Sport Springs put in it, with the Cayman R alignment settings. GT3 brake master cylinder, stock brakes, stainless steel lines added. Also, IPD plenum and GT3 TB added, no desnork.

Let me preface this with saying that, No, I am not saying that this car is the equal of a 911 GT3. However...a few weeks ago I did a Las Vegas track day experience with a Cayman GTS and 2016 911 GT3 (non-RS, 475BHP NA).

My telemetry shows that I hit 165MPH on the straights before standing on the brakes and hooking into a 45MPH decreasing radius right. I had an absolute hoot flogging the GT3 in a track environment. When I came back to my humble little 10 year old car, 1/10th the cost of the GT3, I was amazed by how much actually did feel the same. Brake feel is essentially identical. Steering input, ergos, predictability, lateral roadholding, it all made me much more appreciative of what I have. I no longer think that a 991 base would be a cost effective upgrade, with the exception of no IMSB to worry about.

 

Having tracked a Covette C6, Z51 with stock LSD, and a Miata Sport with stock LSD I found both of those cars too tail happy both on the track and street. Whereas my 2007 Cayman S (Pedro's TechnoBrace is the only suspension mod) is FAR more stable and predicable than those other cars ever were-in the tight corners(8 to 13) at Sebring I left 911's GT3 behind until we hit the back straights. That said, you can still kick the tail out, but PSM will limit how much. Now I was at one event where a Cayman S owner who had fully disabled his PSM manged to spin out and stuffed into turn 17 wall at Sebring just like a couple of 911's have

 

Just wondering if anyone has access to Porsche programing of Sport Crono that could be downloaded into my 2007 CS. After looking at these threads about the lack of LSD in this car, and a few owners who have Sport Crono, claiming that they do not need a LSD, I wonder if its possible to retrofit a download of this program directly into my car. I would be comfortable about having it work full time, in tandom with my current PSM. I believe this would also allow better engine mapping and higher red line 7200 before fuel shut off. Most important is that I could benefit from the eLSD, rather than add a mechanical one that would add understeer at low speeds. Thanks

 

You will probably be better served with getting a custom ECU tune like Cobb or FVD Brombacher (or others).

 

You can buy the Sport Chrono package directly from Suncoast or other dealers. Comes with everything except the dash stopwatch.

 

Try and negotiate with your local dealer but anyone with a PIWIS can activate it once you have the proper code for your VIN from Porsche.

 

The Sport Chrono retrofit is a button bar and flipping a variable with the dealer's scantool. Dealers seem to be charging about $1000 but you could do it cheaper if you can find an indie with PIWIS or if you DIY the button bar yourself first.

 

Sounds like you're convinced that the 987.1 CS is still a great car without an LSD but I just wanted to add my two cents.

I've never driven a car that had an LSD (or at least didn't realize it did). But I have run against other 987.1 owners who have installed one. I run fully stock with PSM off. I can tell you that there was no difference in performance of the cars from my perspective. The other driver was actually surprised that I didn't have an LSD. The bigger difference was probably in driver skill.

In other words, if you know your car's limits and how to push them, you won't miss the LSD. At least not until you get into full competition. There are other upgrades I plan on before an LSD like seats and harnesses, brakes, and suspension.

The Cayman is a great handling car. You feel everything which helps you be a better driver.

I don't daily drive mine. It's a dedicated track car - without mods. So, I don't know how the lack of an LSD impacts street driving.


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I had a 987.2 Cayman S for two years and now have a 981 with X73 suspension and PTV. I have tracked them both and have found little difference in the way they handle. The 981 feels a little more planted and a little smoother, but I think that's mainly due to the X73 and other suspension improvements which Porsche engineered into the newer car. I cannot put my hand on my heart and say that I have noticed the effect of the LSD. Maybe if I did full throttle, full lock starts I might feel the difference, but other than that, no.

Maybe I don't drive fast enough.

 

FYI, LSD is a factory option on 987.2. My 987.2 has that option from the factory. Maybe you can find one with factory LSD but I think they are rare. I have read in one place somewhere that the factory LSD is less robust than the aftermarket Guards unit but I've had no problems with my factory unit through 40K miles and 9-ish track days.

Sometimes (when on a curvy road) I wish my '88 911 had LSD (which was also factory option for that car) and maybe I'll put one in that car someday.

 

This statement is patently false "I am under this impression that an LSD can make or break a sports car. "



sjfehr gets it! :cheers:

A Cayman with Sport Chrono software is a surgical tool in the corners. For a street car, AX/DE car, dual-sport car, LSD is a luxury, not necessity. The Miata, BRZ, and stock Cayman are all pretty brilliant in the corners. None of the Spec Boxster race cars run LSD. For a Cayman Cup car running Grand Am racing with all the electronics stripped out? Get the Guard LSD. :burnout:

 

I raced Spec Miata in the SCCA for several years and while that's a very different car, the principles are the same. I started racing on the cheap and my first racecar didn't have LSD. It didn't come into play at most tracks I raced at. When I got much more competitive and it started to matter, it still only mattered at a few very specific corners at certain tracks (think Sebring hairpin). I invested in an LSD and at those tracks it lowered my lap time by maybe 0.1s for each corner where it mattered. So a couple tenths per lap. In Spec Miata that was enough to make me more competitive, but for anything non-competitive the difference is pretty negligible, and on the street it's completely irrelevant. Just my opinion, of course.

 

So for about $2000, I can get 1, Cobb stage 2 tune (already have TB and IDP Plume, less restrictive air filter and exhaust) and 2, eLSD from my indy. This should give me a sharper throttle response, better wheel spin control, better trail braking, less restrictive nanny out of tight corners. I was just on the Cobb wed site, but did not see a software product for 987.1 yet. Maybe looking in the wrong spot.

 

It depends on what you want the car to do Apex1. All of those "tuner" items will make the car louder and maybe more fun on the street. I expect they will have little or no effect in terms of improved lap times in competition. If you really want to shave lap times, focus on suspension and tires. Maximize the tire compounds for your competition class, add GT3 A-arms to get more negative camber in the front to maximize your contact patch in the corners, maybe lowering springs to firm things up a bit, and a pro corner balance and alignment to get the setup really sorted for motorsport. For the same $$ these things might shave 5 seconds off a 90 second lap where the "tuner" enhancements might shave 1-2 tenths. Spend your $$ where it will generate the greatest returns.

Of course JMHO

 

Thanks cajundaddy, I am waiting on Ohlins for 987.1 laster this spring. I will take your suggestion and apply dollars to suspension, tires, corner balance and coaching. If a need for these other two items, Cobb tuning and eLSD, come up this year, I will discuss it with my PCA autocross and DE coaches.

 

If you really, really want a mechanical locking differential then start looking for a Cayman R.

 

Or even better a guards LSD.

 

A couple of months ago, I had a Wavetrac ATB LSD installed in my Cayman S 987.1. Yes, it does make a difference. it makes a really good handling car even better. I can get on the gas earlier than before without the inside tire breaking free. Not only that, but the power is actually routed to the outside tire as well, but not locked as a Guard LSD would do. What that means is, you still have control of your rear, without the fear of a snap oversteer event. This LSD allows seem less throttle input and depending on your rubber, a lot of it. The same thing on braking. It does not lock up tight, but does allow some rotational difference.

With Wavetrac, a good amount of LSD help out of tight corners, some help with slalom in transition, although the Wavetrac does not cause understeer in this area, and threshold braking, but again, not a total lock up so in trallbraking, works well. The unique feature of Wavetrac is the transition at the apex from trailbrake to throttle modulation is smooth and instant.

The install is costly, about $1500. and the Wavetrac price is $1295. The good thing is once installed, you just drive your car without worries about the clutches, no noisy clutch clicks on engine compression. It's guaranteed for the life of the car. No rebuilds after a few race seasons necessary.

So, with wide wheels and sticky tires, like RE71R's, an open diff Cayman S can perform very well as shown by Ryan Clark's 2017 National Solo Championship in B/S class against 54 seasoned competitors. What this says, is the 987.1 Cayman S fulfills the tossable standard very well. With an ATB LSD, even standard tires equipped car's will benefit with more traction out of tight corners, slalom type roads and trailbraking. If you enjoy canyon driving, autocross or HPDE's then this LSD is for you.

 

A couple of months ago, I had a Wavetrac ATB LSD installed in my Cayman S 987.1. Yes, it does make a difference. it makes a really good handling car even better.

I am considering having a Wavetrac installed when my ride goes down for some engine work. A few questions for you:
1) Name of the shop who did the install and your /critique/review of their process (sending, pricing, timing, cost, etc.)
2) Oil used (given the transaxle design and frictional requirements for the Wavetrac function). Did Wavetrac recommend this oil or the installer?
3) Shifting feedback - noise, vibration, etc. any deleterious effects?
Thanks.

 

Great thread!