981 Cayman CSR
Discussion
Coming from many years of Mitsubishi Evo 6 ownership, I was struggling with ideas of what to replace my beloved Evo 6 GSR/RS mongrel with. Nothing modern could come close to the engagement levels, without suffering a huge price tag.
This was until a friend of mine bought a 981 Cayman S CSR that had been modified by RPM to a somewhat lengthy degree. Back in summer 2021 I was fortunate enough to borrow it for a long weekend, including some time spent circulating Goodwood. It was immediately apparent that this car, and only this car, could replace the irreplaceable in a similar price bracket.
Steering feedback was incredible, power to weight similar to that of the Evo, and within two corners I was pressing on nicely. The spec sheet read well:
Fast forward to Summer 2023, and the car having been used as a recce car for track and race-work, it had gone through some visual upgrades with the previous custodian. With a GT4 rear wing, and addition of the 20” Carrera wheels, and crucially — the interior had gone back in:
Once the Evo had sold, a deal was struck and the Cayman was mine. I knew the hans-ears seats had to go, so they were first on my hit list:
I knew that the Japanese market RS-G Recaro (as I had in the Evo) was a perfect fit for my frame, in terms of shoulder strap harness hole height. So I sourced a pair in alcantara, and installed them. They are much better for a ‘clubsport-esque’ build.
And that’s how it’s sat, for now.
The current on-going project, is to quieten it down for track-use. It did have some dB killers on it, but they aren’t any good any more. I’m having some GT3-esque slip on silencers fabricated, and they’ll be in use nearly all the time I suspect. I would also like to downsize the wheels from 20 inch to 19 inch, so currently doing a lot of J and ET clearance checking.
This was until a friend of mine bought a 981 Cayman S CSR that had been modified by RPM to a somewhat lengthy degree. Back in summer 2021 I was fortunate enough to borrow it for a long weekend, including some time spent circulating Goodwood. It was immediately apparent that this car, and only this car, could replace the irreplaceable in a similar price bracket.
Steering feedback was incredible, power to weight similar to that of the Evo, and within two corners I was pressing on nicely. The spec sheet read well:
- KW V3 Clubsport
- Wavetrac LSD
- AP BBK
- GT4 ARBs
- RPM low ratio crown wheel & pinion
- Various engine bolt ons
- Stripped interior
Fast forward to Summer 2023, and the car having been used as a recce car for track and race-work, it had gone through some visual upgrades with the previous custodian. With a GT4 rear wing, and addition of the 20” Carrera wheels, and crucially — the interior had gone back in:
Once the Evo had sold, a deal was struck and the Cayman was mine. I knew the hans-ears seats had to go, so they were first on my hit list:
I knew that the Japanese market RS-G Recaro (as I had in the Evo) was a perfect fit for my frame, in terms of shoulder strap harness hole height. So I sourced a pair in alcantara, and installed them. They are much better for a ‘clubsport-esque’ build.
And that’s how it’s sat, for now.
The current on-going project, is to quieten it down for track-use. It did have some dB killers on it, but they aren’t any good any more. I’m having some GT3-esque slip on silencers fabricated, and they’ll be in use nearly all the time I suspect. I would also like to downsize the wheels from 20 inch to 19 inch, so currently doing a lot of J and ET clearance checking.
Edited by adamlstr on Wednesday 3rd July 12:29
Edited by adamlstr on Friday 5th July 11:04
thelostboy said:
Looks great! Would be fascinating to see what it would be like back-to-back with a GT4.
A GT4 would likely have legs on it, due to the 3.8. I’ve not driven one though, so can’t compare!Quickmoose said:
What a cracking car!.... where are the shortfalls?....are there any??
The 3.4 in the S is such a characterful lump too... have you detailed the engine mods?
I haven’t been through the history with a fine toothed comb, but as far as I know thus far:The 3.4 in the S is such a characterful lump too... have you detailed the engine mods?
- Freer flowing headers
- IPD plenum
- 82mm TB
- GTS filter and inlet
PGNSagaris said:
I know that car very well.
You’re got an unbelievable bit of kit there. Enjoy.
Thanks! You’re got an unbelievable bit of kit there. Enjoy.
I have a friend who is ticking off "CSR" upgrades to his 996.
Plenums and throttle bodies have been his favourite changes...
After all the millions these expert engineers spend to create these cars, its STILL useful and fun to mess with them to get all those small gains/margins - to create something properly distinct...
Plenums and throttle bodies have been his favourite changes...
After all the millions these expert engineers spend to create these cars, its STILL useful and fun to mess with them to get all those small gains/margins - to create something properly distinct...
Quickmoose said:
I have a friend who is ticking off "CSR" upgrades to his 996.
Plenums and throttle bodies have been his favourite changes...
After all the millions these expert engineers spend to create these cars, its STILL useful and fun to mess with them to get all those small gains/margins - to create something properly distinct...
I’ll admit I don’t actually know what makes a CSR, a CSR! This 981 has dials, and trim pieces with the moniker on them. Plenums and throttle bodies have been his favourite changes...
After all the millions these expert engineers spend to create these cars, its STILL useful and fun to mess with them to get all those small gains/margins - to create something properly distinct...
The sum of the parts though, is very good! I appreciate the kind words all.
Quickmoose said:
Yeah, that’s this exact car. 
adamlstr said:
Quickmoose said:
Yeah, that’s this exact car. Excellent!
Bright Halo said:
adamlstr said:
Quickmoose said:
Yeah, that’s this exact car. Excellent!
I’ve written a review on it somewhere in the Porsche forum, but can’t find it
Here’s what I said in another thread in the PH Porsche forum ;
“
What the 981 lacks in steering feel/weight, it makes up for in numerous other departments, and many will be happy to sacrifice the last vestiges of steering feel/weight for the newer car's improved cabin ergonomics, higher build quality and more cohesive exterior aesthetics.
Having driven RPM Technik's 981 S Cayman CLR in this guise 2-3 years ago :
https://rpmtechnik.co.uk/blog/cayman-981-csr-secon...
I came away from the experience feeling that they'd narrowed the gap to the older car's steering weight/feel to the degree it was now a none issue. The fitment of Ohlins R&T suspension, uprated ARB's, Cup 2's and I suspect some GT3 front coffin arms, or their own equivalent, along with a decent geo was all that was needed to address the issue”.
I had intended to do a 981 CSR build, but by the time I’d crunched the numbers to include a GT4/Spyder front bumper, Ohlins suspension, lightweight flywheel, LSD, shorter final drive, 19” wheels, Recaro seats, optimisation of the engine/exhaust/intake etc, the costs really didn’t stack up when compared to a GT4 by the time you’d bought a sensible miles 3.4S and paid RPMT to do the build for you.
Enjoy the car, it’s very special
Slippydiff said:
I drove your car at RPMT back in 2017. It was a brilliant car to drive !!
I’ve written a review on it somewhere in the Porsche forum, but can’t find it
Here’s what I said in another thread in the PH Porsche forum ;
“
What the 981 lacks in steering feel/weight, it makes up for in numerous other departments, and many will be happy to sacrifice the last vestiges of steering feel/weight for the newer car's improved cabin ergonomics, higher build quality and more cohesive exterior aesthetics.
Having driven RPM Technik's 981 S Cayman CLR in this guise 2-3 years ago :
https://rpmtechnik.co.uk/blog/cayman-981-csr-secon...
I came away from the experience feeling that they'd narrowed the gap to the older car's steering weight/feel to the degree it was now a none issue. The fitment of Ohlins R&T suspension, uprated ARB's, Cup 2's and I suspect some GT3 front coffin arms, or their own equivalent, along with a decent geo was all that was needed to address the issue”.
I had intended to do a 981 CSR build, but by the time I’d crunched the numbers to include a GT4/Spyder front bumper, Ohlins suspension, lightweight flywheel, LSD, shorter final drive, 19” wheels, Recaro seats, optimisation of the engine/exhaust/intake etc, the costs really didn’t stack up when compared to a GT4 by the time you’d bought a sensible miles 3.4S and paid RPMT to do the build for you.
Enjoy the car, it’s very special
Thanks for that! I’ve written a review on it somewhere in the Porsche forum, but can’t find it
Here’s what I said in another thread in the PH Porsche forum ;
“
What the 981 lacks in steering feel/weight, it makes up for in numerous other departments, and many will be happy to sacrifice the last vestiges of steering feel/weight for the newer car's improved cabin ergonomics, higher build quality and more cohesive exterior aesthetics.
Having driven RPM Technik's 981 S Cayman CLR in this guise 2-3 years ago :
https://rpmtechnik.co.uk/blog/cayman-981-csr-secon...
I came away from the experience feeling that they'd narrowed the gap to the older car's steering weight/feel to the degree it was now a none issue. The fitment of Ohlins R&T suspension, uprated ARB's, Cup 2's and I suspect some GT3 front coffin arms, or their own equivalent, along with a decent geo was all that was needed to address the issue”.
I had intended to do a 981 CSR build, but by the time I’d crunched the numbers to include a GT4/Spyder front bumper, Ohlins suspension, lightweight flywheel, LSD, shorter final drive, 19” wheels, Recaro seats, optimisation of the engine/exhaust/intake etc, the costs really didn’t stack up when compared to a GT4 by the time you’d bought a sensible miles 3.4S and paid RPMT to do the build for you.
Enjoy the car, it’s very special
I think most of the bones are still the same, but the suspension is now KW V3 CS. I’m not sure when it was changed. Having had Öhlins on my Evo, I’m not sure why you’d change! Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff