New '06 Cayman S owner - School me

[awdbandito]

I picked up an '06 Cayman S a couple weeks ago with 151k miles. This is my first water cooled car. It seems to be solid but has had 8 owners and a lot of unknowns. I did find out that it does have an IPD plenum and GT3 throttle body. It recently had an Air/Oil separator and inner/outer tie rods. It is in desperate need of motor mounts as it clunks bad on hard 1-2-3 shifts. It shook out well at Road Atlanta but the brakes need some addressing for pedal feel and brake fade.

Point me in the direction of some FAQs or fill me in on what I should look at for reliability or trouble spots. The brakes simply need stainless lines, new rotors, Carobtech pads, and fresh fluid.

[tonythetarga]

The Cayman also needs a GT 3 master cylinder. One of the early complaints with those cars was the pedal feel. I have an 06 and I love it.
Have an engine oil analysis done, to give you a baseline for engine condition.

[husker boxster]

Planet-9 forum has a ton of info available.

[awdbandito]

Thanks! I'll check out Planet-9.

@tonythetarga - I appreciate the GT3 master cylinder recommendation.

[stealthn]

Originally Posted by husker boxster

Planet-9 forum has a ton of info available.

He says on the Pelican Cayman forum... 😁

[husker boxster]

Originally Posted by stealthn

He says on the Pelican Cayman forum... ��

Nothing wrong with staying here and buying the parts you need here, but P-9 has a very active group with tons of info specifically for the 987 or 981 or 718. Lots of answers already there via search that can reduce redundant questions. Chances are any initial questions awdbandito has have probably been asked and answered there.

[stealthn]

If tracking, you’ll want a deep sump too...

[awdbandito]

Originally Posted by stealthn

If tracking, you’ll want a deep sump too...

Thanks for that info. I've been thinking about that, since this car has/will see track time, but I'm telling myself it will only be on street tires and at 8/10ths of the limit. It's something I'm debating in general, but also the couple different solutions for a deeper pan, baffles, windage, scraper, etc.....

[husker boxster]

If the tracks you plan to compete on have long sweeping corners, you defn want to replace the original sump baffle. The original is like a reverse cofferdam design that will allow the oil in the baffle to slop out in high G corners. Replacement baffles have walls all the way to the top of the block from the sump. You can decide if you do a deeper pan. I chose not to and haven't had any issues with just the bigger baffle.

If you're going to do track days, you should probably replace the AOS as a preemptive measure. No telling how old it is and you don't need it knocking you out of a multi-day event on the 1st day.

[racer]

Wondering.. in the 996 era cars, the chain tensioner pads are plastic and I've know a few local folks who have had issues with these wear items as the car crosses 100K miles (when they fail, they can eat your motor). I'd be sure to have those pads changed out as preventative.

[awdbandito]

Thanks Husker. The car will only see track days, on street tires.
The AOS is new within 5k miles.
If I'm dropping the ban to add a baffle then I'll probably do the deeper sump at the same time. May be a winter project.

Racer - Not sure if the M97 has plastic tensioner pads or not. Maybe something I'll check in to.