Porsche 987 Cayman Wheels

Porsche 987 Cayman Wheel Performance

The 987 Cayman had a wide array of wheel and tire options from the factory, none of which took full advantage of the platform. With narrow and heavy wheels there is significant room for performance advancement. Our Flow Formed SM-10 and Forged EC-7RS, VS-5RS, and SM-10RS offer wider and lighter alternatives for the 987 Cayman. Be sure to read up on exactly which 987 Cayman wheels are right for your application in our Porsche 987 Cayman Wheel and Tire Fitment Guide.

A Brief History of the 987 Porsche Cayman

Sharing a majority of parts with the 987 Boxster Platform, the Porsche Cayman featured a fixed roof with a fastback design. The end result was a far stiffer chassis with even more storage space. The first model to go on sale was the 987.1 Cayman S which arrived before the base model. Powering this new breed was the M97.21 3.4l flat six engine. Utilizing Porsche’s variocam plus variable valve timing and lift system, the first generation Cayman S made a respectable 291 hp and 251 lb-ft of torque paired with a standard 6 speed unit from Getrag. The following year, Porsche released the standard Cayman which was powered by a 2.7l engine paired to a 5 speed manual gearbox. Both models offered an optional 5 speed tiptronic S transmission for those who hate driving.

Just like the 987 Boxster, both Cayman models received a major facelift for the 2009 model year dubbed the 987.2. Utilizing direct injection technology on the S models, power was bumped up to 261 hp in the base model and 315 in the Cayman S. The most notable limited production model was the 987.2 Cayman R. This special edition featured extreme weight saving measures along with a bump in power to 326 hp at 7,400 rpm. Production was limited to just around 1,600 examples worldwide.

Why We Think It's a Good Track Car

If one were to describe the 987 Cayman in a single word, “balanced” comes to mind. The mid engine layout and extremely stiff chassis, thanks to the fixed roof, makes this model a joy to drive at the limit. When turning into a corner you’re greeted with a slight bit of predictable understeer. Step on the gas and you’ll be delighted by just a touch of on-power oversteer as your competition disappears into your rearview mirror. Sure they might catch back up on the long straights, but it’s undeniable that you’ll be having more fun.

Whether you’re venturing out to the occasional track day or building a full blown race car, the 987 Cayman will not disappoint. The 987.2 models are considered more reliable as they forgo any IMS issues and are not known to suffer from the bore scoring problems seen on early “S” models. If you’re on a tighter budget, any of the base non-”S” models will still give you the same great feeling on track while returning excellent economy on your daily commute. Whichever model you opt for, there’s no better upgrade than a lightweight set of 987 Cayman Wheels from Apex paired with some extra sticky rubber.

When the Cayman first launched, automotive journalists couldn’t say enough good things. Checkout the article below from Motor Trend to relive their excitement over a model even faster than a base 911 (in some measures)

First Drive: 2006 Porsche Cayman S