Hello! – My name is Aristotle from Basking Ridge, NJ. I have been in the Porsche family for as long as I can remember. My father is responsible for getting me into the brand, taking me to HPDE events as well as video games such as Need for Speed Porsche 2000 (Unleashed) that ironically came with my fathers 996 40th Anniversary. I was always fond of old Porsche race cars like the 911 GT1-98 and the Porsche 910. After high school I immediately started working fulltime and about 2-3 years later, I purchased a 986 Boxster S. I kept that for a year and then sold it, wanting more. Soon after I came across a once-in-a-lifetime deal for a 987.1 Cayman S. The fact that Porsche created the 987 to throwback the 904 felt just right. One year into my ownership, I remember a distinct grey Cayman R with red graphics on youtube that sounded very different to other modified 987’s. The pitch was high and it had a distinct howl that no 911 could match that wasn’t a GT3. That Cayman R belonged to John Gaydos at SOUL~ The next year I acquired a full SOUL catback exhaust and competition headers. Now, seven years later every time I go out for a drive, I am shocked that my own car has this sound and it never fails to make me smile.
EXHAUST / ENGINE / POWER
- SOUL Performance Exhaust System – This was my first exhaust upgrade that gave more grunt from the engine in the mid-range. A much throatier cold start as well. However, it felt incomplete. Like it was meant to be coupled with something else. The build quality is incredible. Several years later of year-round driving including salty winters and it has held up incredibly well.
- SOUL Competition Headers – Months later I purchased a set of competition headers and the missing link was complete. On a cold start it was very close to stock, one would simply assume it’s just a less restrictive catback. Once fully warmed up, there was no way to describe accurately how the auditory experience changed. Video demonstrations of Soul’s competition package cannot prepare you for the real experience. It was smooth, louder and to my absolute shock, zero drone in the cabin (not that I cared anyway). That distinct howl I remember from John’s Cayman R emerged and I never get tired of redlining it.
- IPD Plenum + GT3 Throttle Body – I added this to benefit the intake side of the engine volumetrically as now the exhaust had little restriction. The IPD and Competition headers greatly improved the mid range from about 3.5k-6.5k in almost any gear. I saw a reduction in how the car pulled to redline but the mid range benefit made the car much faster on backroads with far more accessible torque.
- Protomotive Tune – One of the oldest companies in the game, I was recommended this from an old friend and from what I’ve noticed logging with a durametric is how well it keeps air and fuel values stable and adapted the ecu well to the competition exhaust. I am not pursuing numbers with my Cayman, the overall driving experience is far more important
BRAKES / SUSPENSION
- Ohlins Road and Track Coilovers
- SPC Front and Rear Lower Control Arms with Spherical Bushings
- Tarret Sway Bars and Drop Links
- Tarret Front/Rear Tie Rods and Toe Arms
Not much to mention here, the car is a missile. Precise and ready to react very carefully to all inputs given by the driver. I tracked it a lot during the first couple years of ownership but now it mostly sees backroad usage for dynamic enjoyment.
WHEELS / TIRES
The Apex wheels speak for themselves, classy design, perfect fitment. A looker on the street. The Enkei set was passed down to me from my father. He used these exact wheels on his 993, 996 and 997. They are almost 20 years old with no damage and exclusively used on track. I use them for track or a spare set for the street and they hold significant historical sentimental value to me.
- Apex EC7-RS | 18×9” ET46 Front | 18×10” ET36 Rear + 10mm Spacer for perfect fitment.
- Enkei NT03+M | 18×8.5” ET50 Front | 18×10” ET60 + 20mm Spacer for clearance (911 rear size)
- Michelin Pilot Super Sports | 245/40/18 Front | 275/40/18 Rear
INTERIOR / SAFETY
- 9X7.2 Steering Wheel
- Aluminum Shift Knob
- Porsche 987 RS60 Gauge Pod Delete Trim
- Porsche PCCM+ Upgrade
- Recaro Pole Positions
The Interior is what matters most. That is where you spend 99% of your time as a driver. The steering wheel of the 9X7.2 was a perfect fit for me, thicker and the design overall is better, the aluminum shift knob adds weight to the solid cables and solid shift cage, now it is impossible to miss an upshift or downshift, the 987 RS60 gauge pod delete trim also reminiscent of the 918 Spyder is outright sexy to look at from both the outside and inside. The PCCM+ was merely to maintain the stock appearance of the center console but serves its purpose well for navigation to discover new roads. The Recaros were everything. A very expensive upgrade but done with zero regrets. They served both in functionality as well as beautiful aesthetics in the black interior coupled with red seat belts to complete the look.
EXTERIOR/ AERO
Other than the GT3 bumper “smile” vent, I want my Cayman to be under the radar so I chose not to modify the exterior until I upgrade the engine to which aero would then be beneficial. I prefer to keep the car as intended from Porsche and the only potential upgrade exterior-wise that would be acceptable for me now is the factory aerokit that is now impossible to find.
- Front Bumper GT3 “smile” vent for center radiator hot air exit.
SEE MORE
Instagram: @stotle263
Photography by @thedefinedlifestyle
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