Porsche Experts - 3.8 swapped Cayman S

I ran into a buddy of mine at work. He has an 987.1 Cayman S that he swapped a new 3.8 into. The car is nuts and very very well done. His second job (when not flying planes for the Air Force) is a crate engine specialist at a well known Porsche shop in Orange County that does very very good work. He has also been racing Porche cars for as long as I've been alive probably.

I made a joke about him selling it to me one day and he said, "if you're serious we can work something out just let me know what you're comfortable with paying" . I wasnt expecting that response at all. I would obviously buy this car if I can, which I'm pretty sure I can. But, I dont know what to offer him. I know the market for stockish Cayman's but not swapped 3.8 Cayman's. I told him that I'm moving to Texas in August and would need a few months or more to get situated and see what the new budget is like (plus wife finding a job that pays well like she has here). He said that was no problem and that his shop sends cars to Texas for events all the time.

Now I'm trying to find what a fair offer is for me to throw at him. I've been searching online but these just arent a thing people sell very often. I saw just ONE that sold for 60k in 2012 but that guy looked like he wanted everything he had in the car back and it wasnt the most tasteful in appearance mods.

I really do want this car and I know it would hold me over for a good while as far as my automotive ADD goes . The wife says I should get it since it sounds like my dream car. I know I wouldnt be too comfortable with paying over $45k for a toy like that. But, then again I might be! My Cayman budget is something like 30k> - if I was to actually buy one I liked. I wouldnt want to lowball him but I know he's not looking for money out of his cars either (He sold his manual coupe 996 turbo for 29k).

Anyone have some sage advice for this youngin?

I think you are in the right ballpark at $45k. If there were a lot of chassis upgrades, forged wheels, interior upgrades, etc. then maybe more. Is this the 355hp 997S engine? How many miles on the chassis? Engine rebuilt before the swap?

so it was a new crate 3.8 that went in it? Seems a standard running 987.1 S is a 25kish car (subject to the dreaded IMS bearing - or was the starting point one with a toasted IMS bearing - making it a 10-15k car). A crate 3.8 is around 18k (probably less for this guy since it's what he does). Once on the road I'm not sure there's a ton of value for the labor in getting the swap done. I'm cheap. I think it would be closer to 35k than 45k - but there's the unique factor/quality factor - maybe the work they do holds value like an FM v8 miata compared to an amateur conversion...

I think 45k is plenty fair! Buy it and drive it to Texas so i can check it out...

That's a tough one. A 3.8 Cayman would be fun, but the other car you mentioned in your OP would be relevant for me. $35k buys me a nice 996TT. I think I'd rather have that than a 3.8 Cayman. But I'm not positive of that. $45k for that Cayman seems like a lot to me.

In reply to SEADave:

The engine is a crate engine thats been modified and tuned in its current state. Pushing something near 400hp. The chassis has less than 50k on it from what I remember. Yesterday was the first time I've seen him in almost a year. The car was running well when he did the swap. He bought it off of a customer pretty cheap and he just wanted to do something different with this particular car. The quality of their work is superb. I'd trust them with my car and money!

In reply to dyintorace:

He sold the 996 back in 2014 when I first met him. Loooong gone!

In reply to Vigo:

I would be in Texas first before I bought the car if it was to happen that way. Where abouts in Texas are you?

I meant the 996TT in general, not his specifically. A 996TT can be had for the same money, so, for me, it would be a tough decision on which Porsche - an AWD turbo with 415hp or a Cayman S with 400hp. I certainly would consider both!

Okay he just text me back.

The motor is bored and sleeved to a 4.2 with all supporting mods including a 3rd radiator.

Can't think of any good reason not to buy it if it's in your budget!

The motor is bored and sleeved to a 4.2 with all supporting mods

Good god.

I'm in San Antonio.

In reply to Vigo:

I'm moving to San Antonio in August.

In reply to yupididit:

Only mod to car engine swap? No suspension or brake upgrades? Makes a difference in car value.

Upgraded pads and rotors but the Cayman S is damn good at braking from the factory.

Stock suspension. I think I remember him saying it had an LSD installed.

yupididit wrote: In reply to Vigo: I'm moving to San Antonio in August.

Not sure if it helps you or not, but our friends at BGB Motorsports do such swaps. I drove one a little while back. It looked (and drove) like a factory deal.

yupididit wrote: Upgraded pads and rotors but the Cayman S is damn good at braking from the factory. Stock suspension. I think I remember him saying it had an LSD installed.

As perspective 5 years ago my racing buddy purchased a 2007 cayman s with 3.8 conversion, coil over kit, gt3 brake conversion, sways etc for $54K. Car had 22k miles.

From receipts I remember gt3 brake conversion was c. $4k, suspension upgrades c $3.8k.

I think a crate 3.8 upgraded to 4.2 was over $20k

Ymmv

BGB swaps are the only references I can site when it comes to this swap.

Anywy, I think we came to a price range-ish agreement! Just going have to wait and see how this move goes etc.

In reply to Ovid_and_Flem:

Yeah, the crate + 4.2 work was 28k alone.

I'll be getting a more "intimate" look at the car in a few days.

Pics or it doesn't exist

Saw the car today. He basically went over everything that was done to the car and threw me the keys. My son and I had the car for a little while...all I can say is HOLY berkeley E36 M3.

This car is insane. Everything seems like it was from the factory. The power delivery, the lowend torque, the shifter, braking, all perfect. I'll never be able drive a stock Cayman ever again. I've driven a Cayman GT4 before and this car did something more for me. I'm not sure what it is. I'm ruined and I'm in love.

Sorry, no engine pics we were at his brother house so no tools to remove the engine cover.

In reply to yupididit:

You need that car!!!

I do need it and I will get it.

yupididit wrote: I do need it and I will get it.

Just the look on your son"s face is worth the price

I am already in apprehension of whatever amount of love i will lose for my 3.4L Carrera if i get to drive this car.