Ruf Power Options

"We have a few plans for the Cayman . Our Kompressor should fit (which will add between 80-100hp). We should also be able to add the 997 3.8S (365hp) engine and possibly even add the 3.8 with the Kompressor (about 435hp). The prices on these should range from about $23,000 to $59,000 installed." This was sent to my via e-mail from Ruf, however I'm sure they couldnt just as easily do the x51 3.8liter motor with 380hp stock, which is now an option on the 997s. Also, the 3.8 with a compressor is being very conservatively quoted at 435hp, unless he meant that was at the wheels. An x51 3.8 liter with the supercharger would end up being north of 60k installed without appropriate brake/suspension mods, so such a conversion would be monetarily equavlent to buying two caymans , or one 911 turbo. compared to the turbo stock however, a cayman s modified inthis manner would clearly be the better driver's car, as its mid engine platform is far superior to the 911 . Also the curb weight advantage further benefits the cayman . The cars would have about the same power, though the turbo would assuredly have more torque, both in total volume through the rpm range, as well as peak. However, the one comparative advantage a 911 turbo (996 or 997) is that it has a warranty! Also, the cheap and stealth tunability of the turbo (through simple and undetectable ecu tuning) would affford it a power advantage. Hard decisions !! Feel free to offer me feedback, i have no idea what im going to do. As a sidenote, the Noble M14 is due for North American approval sometime in 2006, and should compete very well with any 911 turbo or a ferrari 360/430 or a gallardo (gasp!) Prices have not yet been determined, but it will surely be north of 100k.

3.8L Cayman S (3800S?) or the Porsche 997 911 Carrera S? the base RUF 3800S (if given that name) is a tad more expensive than the 355hp Carrera S, and cheaper than the 381hp Power Kit equipped Carrera S, yet the 3800S would surely outperform it. And the fact that the Carrera S can go 0-60 in 3.8 to 3.9s (according to Road&Track) and the Cayman S is 171 lbs. lighter, this would be impressive indeed, and possibly the best buy. (If the transplant is set at $23000 or hpefully cheaper) *fingers crossed"

geez with that belly the cayman will swallow a full grown cocodrile! ..Love it !! .COCO

Look into 9ff motors. Hand built to spec from 3.6 to 4.1 liters. Conservitively rated at just over 400 horsepower, and have a 8,500 rpm redline (wow!).

More: http://www.planet-9.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1357&FORUM_ID=5&CAT_ID=1&Topic_Title=3%2E6%2C+3%2E8%2C+%26+4%2E0+liter+upgrade&Forum_Title=Cayman+Mods

I meant that a cayman with the 3.8l motor and a supercharger, which would cost 60k with labor, would double the price of the cayman itself. Also, at between 120k and 130k total price, it would be about the same as a new 997 turbo, an ultra low mileage 996 turbo s, or even a f360 certified pre-owned. I love the mid-engined platform of the cayman . I drove it and then a 996 C4S and the Cayman did everything better. But I'm not sure i can justify dropping that much on a cayman when the comparably price options are what they are. Crazy Fast, you meant 4.8-4.9 for the 997s right? 3.8 is more like 997 turbo. At this point I'm leaning toward getting a cpo 996TT and doing the gemballa gtr stuff maybe, but definitely atleast a chip. I just hate that its rear-engined. I've never driven an f355 or f360, could anyone tell me how they compare to a 996TT?

Sorry I am so excited about Cayman motor swaps that I lost the understanding of your post. FVD owner in Ft. Lauderdale has his 996tt w/ all the mods for sale. They have over $180,000.00 in the car, and I think he's asking mid 80's;90's???

the $23,000 would be the Komprssor on the 3.4 motor. I believe Ruf gives a warranty. Mike

those numbers are quoted from Road & Track. If you can't take my word for it... click here "0- 60 3.9sec"

Check porsche 's website or just drive the new 997, you will realize that road and track has a typo on their website with that 0-60 time. Do you really think a naturally aspirated engine making that power is somehow faster than the gt2? Crazy Fast, I'm not trying to be offensive, but there is just simply no way a stock 997s is anywhere near that fast. Porsche lists it as 4.6 seconds, doyou think they would say there car was nearly a full second slower than it is? However, with that supercharged 3.8liter motor, 3.8 seconds would be realistic

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=282997&f=48&h=0

whoa. . .23K for the compressor? hmm I was think something like 12K. I mean even Dinan (known for being a very expensive bmw tuner) makes a SC for the M3 that gives it 423bhp. . .for under 10 grand! btw I hate the main photo on Dinan's site. . . http://www.dinanbmw.com/ ('have your cake, and eat your porsches too'. . .are bmw owners really that inscure?)

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just out of curiousity...how long does one of these RUF conversions take? I dont live anywhere near Dallas. How do most folks get their cars to RUF...ship...or drive? RUF makeover sounds great, but logistically like it might be a nightmare.

Are there any Ruf approved shops in the North East

At the present time, for the level of service RUF delivers, Dallas and Pfaffenhausen are it. Seven years ago I shipped my 964 back to Pfaffenhausen ($2,500R/T from the west coast)for the RCT conversion (single turbo engine, 6 speed 993 trans, big brakes). This also provided the excuse to go to Germany to test drive it. I sold it last year with 35K on the conversion and basically got the full cost of the conversion back. If cost is no object, RUF has been known to send technicians to the far reaches of the world to build entire cars.

</blockquote> I am aware of what it takes to supercharge high performance/compression sports car engines (specificallyM3s andElise's (11.5:1 Compression)). . . It is still too expensive!

Thus illustrating the beauty of the capitalist system - what is too expensive for you is a bargain for me. supercroc

Maybe better stating it as not a good benefit to cost value. It's like putting a $50K pool in the back of a $50K house - you are going to lose big time on such a far fetched proposition. 9ff and Ruf are both excellent at what they do, but their marketing abilities lack creativity when more than doubling (9ff) the price of the car?? Just buy a 911TT for $50K less (9ff) or about the same as a RUF and be done with it? At least you know you'll get your money back... Paul </blockquote>

But then you wouldn't have an MR Porsche with Ferrari 360 power, which is the whole point of the Ruf supercharger. That package ends up being significantly less than a used 360 BTW and makes some sense from a performance persepective when you consider that other MR sports cars with 380-400 bhp 275-300 ft/lb are both rare and very expensive. And if you did upgrade your CS like that, I doubt you'd be in any rush to sell it on anyway.

IMO most folks don't do these conversions based on economic value. They do it because they want it and can (usually) afford it.