Finally the break-in is over for me and just in time as I am heading down to VIR tomorrow. So, today few track-day preperations were being performed and as I was watching the work, I took few mental notes, and some pictures.


With the risk of boring you, here it goes:
<ul>[*]Knock on wood, there is not a single rattle or unwanted noise in the car, everything is still top notch. [*]I finally found a good setting with the Bose, which is a compromise between the of music that I like (hard rock and classical... I know, I know, its weird) [*]First 2K mi. averaged 41.2 mph and 21.7 mpg [*]The engine sound over 5K rpm outweighs Bose at 25, LOL. [*]The steering is certainly great, but it was somewhat twitchy and as some might remember, there was a slight vibration over 55 mph. After long-long time balancing the tire and the alignment, now it is gone. [*]I would recommend that you all at least get some basic alignment. Mine had toe-out front and rear and total toe was quite off the scale, which explains the twitchesness. We were able to obtain-1.17 camber front and rear without doing any tricks to the struts, so that is good news. Ideally I would want -2.5 to -3.0, but will need camber plates for that. [*]The ride, as I reported before, is a little too soft in normal setting of PASM, but I suspect for most that will be satisfactory around town. In sport mode the behaviour changes drastically and I cannot wait for the track to test it fully, or autocross. There is a rumor that the Cayman will be classed in AS next year, instead of SS; that would really be good I think for autocrossers. [*]I really like the sport seats, quite comfortable, but the real test is this weekend. VIR is about 250 mi from where I am, so we'll see about comfort; and we'll also see if they hold me in place a little during the track time. [*]Sport steering wheel is not satisfactory, I want the 997 GT3 wheel, but I am sure it will cost some. [*]Yes, I caved in and... got clear side markers after seeing the pics of Atlas_Croc's car [img]/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/thumbsup.gif[/img] [*]I put Porterfield R4 track pads on all corners, my favorite, Stoptech stainless steel lines, and Motul 600. Good news is that all Boxter S bits fit as well as 997 bits. [*]Unfortunately, Fikse's that I ordered with the tires were not finished yet, so I'll be running with stock wheels/tires; oh well... [/list]

That's I think all the notes I have for now. I'll also share some pics from the race shop I went to today for the first time, which once you see the pictures you'll understand, I highly recommend the place for people in the DC Metor area; www.funktionauto.com


There were many many cars, most were collector items from 1929 Indy racer, to Merc SL350 Gullwing, to Shelby 350GT, to Ferrari 250GTO, to Dinos and Miuaras. I was not allowed to take pictures of the collector items unfortunately, so the following had to do:


The original 930 911 Turbo:


[img]/UserFiles/930T.jpg[/img]


944 (I believe a turbo) PCA and SCCA Club racer:


[img]/UserFiles/944.jpg[/img]


The shop:


[img]/UserFiles/FA_1.JPG[/img]


[img]/UserFiles/FA_2.JPG[/img]


Funktion Auto is a Radical dealer and the owner races his own, which is being rebuilt to a 1500cc Hayabusa engine with squential shifter and Quaife diff:


[img]/UserFiles/R3_1.jpg[/img]


[img]/UserFiles/R3_2.jpg[/img]


A customer R3 in their showroom:








[img]/UserFiles/R3_3.JPG[/img]


[img]/UserFiles/R3_4.jpg[/img]


Ram-air is used with individual injectors to boost the power to some 'classified' figure with Motec tuning:


[img]/UserFiles/R3_5.jpg[/img]


[img]/UserFiles/R3_6.jpg[/img]


My car is being aligned:


[img]/UserFiles/Align_1.jpg[/img]


Cayman's rear suspension bits for those that may be interested:


[img]/UserFiles/CYMN_SUSP_1.jpg[/img]


And a shot of the engine:


[img]/UserFiles/CYMN_UNDR_1.jpg[/img]


What can I say... it was the best car day I have ever had [img]/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/dance.gif[/img]


Cheers,

Edited by - FT on 03/02/2006 8:28:09 PM

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FT

FT,


Great report and thanks for the photos!!


Aloha Russ

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Hey FT,


Please let us know what tire pressures work the best. I'll be at Roebling on April 28th.

Thank you Russ.


Kevozzi - I will certainly. I will have the chance to try few different settings. For reference, I have the Bridgestone Potenza RE050 tires.

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FT

We are all ears and eyes, so keep the reports as detailed as you want them to be. Great stuff. Have a great - fun weekend.

i ran my to 3600 miles with 800 track miles now. stock suspension got 1.7 and 2.0 camber front and rear. i went with toe out to get better turn in, was not twitchy at all. fikse profil 10's (8.5 and 10') with RA1 245 40 and 275 35 18's, motul 600 as well, but pagid oranges. so far no prob and loads of fun.

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if you want the best for your toy, look no further:

http://www.premiermobilegroup.com/ (one of the best clear film specialists)
http://www.sharkwerks.com/main.php (bring your money, alex will help you spend it in a GOOD way)

Thank you Mpollard.


Mooty, yes, we were talking on the other forum on this as well. Without widening the strut hole, we could get to 1.1 camber and as you had mentioned, every car is a little different. I did not make any any modifications to get a baseline of the car, then decide what I need to do.


I am glad the Fikse's fit, the same ones I ordered, I was a little worried, I am not what offset they are using yet. However, as I do not have much camber so I did not want to chew up RA1s, so my first set will be Falken 615s. Around latespring I'll probably switch to RA1s or Pilot Cups.

Edited by - FT on 03/03/2006 06:30:26 AM

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FT

Great notes. I have to admit I'm no expert on alignment issues, so had to do a bit of research. For the rest of us Barneys out there I found a page that does a nice job 'splaining the lingo:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...e.jsp?techid=4

fitegeoff - please don't hesitate to ask either, there are several people on these boards who can explain all the alignment tricks [img]/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/wink_smile.gif[/img]


Few notes from my trip:
<ul>[*]Sport on all the way; 69 mph and 25.7 mpg avg.[*]Yes, the support seats weren't fatiguing at all, but they are not like 1st class seats either[*]By the time you reach 4K rpm in 4th, you are already above the speed limits [img]/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/sad_smile.gif[/img][*]As expected from a mid-engine car, slightest cross-winds can be felt on your toes[*]Draws a lot of attention, no matter the audience. Good and bad, but mostly bad.[*]I had to frequently crack-open the window as it was warm inside the cabin with ~50deg outside temp[/list]

Cheers,

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FT

FT

At 50deg outside, did you have the air-con on or switched to Eco? With climate control I find the car stays a really nice temp sun, cloud or rain.

Do the suspension changes make a huge difference to the way the car feels on the road, or on track?

How does the car feel for tram-lining?

Jack

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Cayman S - Since December '05

KS what changes dod you have made to the tracking? Was it to sharpen up the steering, or reduce tramline and twitchyness?

Jack

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Cayman S - Since December '05

Jack, I wan on ECO, so that might be it. Today on the track, the engine did not feel hot at all even when you touch the carpet on it with you hand, no warmth at all; but on the outside, you could feel the heat eminating.


First session today I took it easy as it was cold in the morning and ran with normal PASM setting. During that session, with cross winds, the rear of the car was getting a little uneasy at the front straight over the bumps at about 90-100 mph. During the second session I switched to sport on PASM and with similar crosswinds, this time around 110-120 mph, the car was planted; I left everything else unchanged.Overall, there are very significant differences between normal and sport settings of PASM. Turn-in is very crispt and transitions are rapid and easy; at the same time, it is not harsh and feels right at home on the track at speed. On the other hand, normal setting feels underdampened, especially at speed and back-to-back bups.


After the alignment, I have minimal tramlining, overall handling is superb during daily driving.


KS - its funny you mention the flashing. Whenever I flash another Porsche of any kind around town, I get no responses, but as soon as I entered the paddock at the track, each Porsche was flashing or waving [img]/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/regular_smile.gif[/img]

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FT