I just bought a 2009 Cayman base model. Want to increase the HP and I was told to get the Cobb system. Before I do this, can anyone tell me if this is a good way to go, or is there a better one out there? I’ll also be changing the exhaust system and getting vent scoops for the sides of the car.
I could be wrong, but I seem to remember that for the 987.2 the Cobb tune is only available for the 3.4 liter engine. But it was a couple years ago when I last looked so it might be different now.
This is true as I understand it … their tune works for the 3.4 … I tuned my 2009 BS with a COBB accessport… regrettably it wasn’t successful and I had to take it off. The car would not stay out of limp mode in colder weather. I spoke to COBB tech support and they were incredibly helpful. I ended up buying a 2012 Carrera S that I will attempt to load the tune on when it warms up this spring. Hope this helps.
BTW - the scoops for the side vents are unnecessary and may upset the airflow through the engine compartment (which is what those scoops are for.) The design of the car is such that it has a flat belly pan from the front to the back that ends at the firewall to the cabin for the engine compartment. The reason they end it there is this creates a vacuum under the engine compartment as the air expands and pulls air through the engine compartment and out the back via the diffuser. Clever design means the engine compartment fan never comes on when the car is moving at any speed (at least mine never has). Adding scoops may upset that design by forcing air in instead of drawing it in as it's pulled out below the engine. And I think they have a sorta "racer" look... especially on cars that will never hit the track.
Is this Cayman your first Porsche? What are your objectives for performance gains? Are you going to be tracking the car?
First Porsche. I just want to increase the HP to make it somewhat quicker. I’ll be doing some mods to it as well. Wondering if the Cobb tuning system will help.
Just my opinion but I'd drive it a while first to gain competence and familiarity with the car's performance and handling. Porsche cars are deceptive in their quickness. Also, if you're trying to make it blast off from a standstill a la 5.0 Mustang I don't think any modifications are going to satiate that desire, these cars aren't designed for that.
Once you are driving around with the throttle on the stops for any length of time you can add horsepower. What you are missing is throttle responsiveness.
I just bought my 2.9 late last year and felt the same way.
I added one of the throttle devices (Sprint Booster in my case) that increase the rate of the TB opening and it transformed the car.
It is faster than you think...and you do need to keep it revved up to really go...
Have to agree with Ric_in_RVA. And yes, it is faster than you think. I drive an ‘08 Boxster base, coming from an ‘03 911 Carrera, with a 3.6 and 6-spd manual, and I can barely feel the difference in acceleration off the line, torquey pickup in the upper gears and rpm’s. I too, added the Sprint Booster and can’t wipe the smile off my face most days. I mean, 0-60 in under 6 seconds is not slow. I was considering upgrading the exhaust, but the growl from the original is so satisfying that I think I’d be wasting money trying to improve on something that doesn’t need it. Drive it for a bit, keep checking this forum, and decide what meets your needs. Good luck, good driving.
These cars work best at RPM >4,000. Use the gears to keep the revs in the sweet spot and this car is very responsive. As others have said, it is not a stoplight dragster.
Headers, intake/throttle body, tune (anybody BUT Cobb). In that order. From experience with 2010 BS. Good luck!
Joe Henley
I wanted a little more punch on my 2018 base so I tried APR 93 octane tune, btw I do not track or redline my car, It is much more responsive and much quicker.
I have a 2.9 l PDK and have considered a tune. I’d look to FVD Brombacher
