Prepping a Boxster/Cayman for track day duty?

With the costs of the mid 2000 mid engine Porsches coming down a ton lately, I've been eyeing one up as a weekend canyon carver/track toy. Looking probably at a late 986 or a 987.1 model since they have gotten to be very cheap lately for what they are. Would like a cayman for the track duty part but know there is the Brey-Krause Roll Bar Extension for the Boxsters. Given the price delta between the cayman and Boxster, I'd probably do the Boxster. Plus, I do like a convertible. 

So other than the roll bar, What else is typically on the list to prep these for track duty other than the normal fresh brake fluid, pads, and radiator clean out? I've heard the oil separator is usually a good thing too. 

So what else do I need to know? 

All that I’ve done on my Cayman has been fluids, pads, and tires.

For really fast 200tw and r-comp tires that are going to sustain over a G on sweeping corners, I’d want a baffled/deep oil sump.  

6 speed cars are a bit higher strung, and tend to want the additional center radiator from a tiptronic, and some sort of power steering cooler.

Theres a gazillion dollar oil separator if you get to the point where it pukes oil.  I’d probably try replacing the stock one first or fabricating something myself.

So as someone who instructs at PCA track days I will tell you that the bulk of Boxster drivers I've had as students had cars that were bone stock. I'm not even sure they used special pads or fluid.

If you're an aggressive regular track day participant then I'd say get some pads that are more suitable and change the fluid. Other than that drive and enjoy, they are nicely balanced cars. Caymans/Boxsters are one of the most fun cars you will ever drive.

If you're only doing it occasionally on street tires, you're probably good out of the box.  Otherwise, 3rd radiator, deeper sump and motorsports air oil separator (AOS) are the go-to parts.

Then it gets really expensive.

Since I just picked up a 00 S, I’m reading.  Keep on with the info.

Thanks guys. Kind of confirms what I've read and heard from other sources. I'm just getting back on the track from a long time off so I'll be gentle to start. I'm more just trying to get an idea on long term was there something there that was a gotcha. Everything mentioned is not too bad. 

Any options that I should hold out for? I've driven a couple of 987.1 cayman S and really liked it. 

Stick to 200TW tires and all you will need is fresh fluids. If you put R-Compounds on then it's possible pull enough G's where oil gets in the intake and it will smoke like a bugger. The bolts on the drivers side axle tend to work loose after a while, too so keep checking them.

loosecannon said:

The bolts on the drivers side axle tend to work loose after a while, too so keep checking them.

True. Happened to me.  Hellacious thump on accelleration on right hand turns at AMP. 

In reply to Tyler H :

We actually broke the cast aluminum sub frame when ours let go. But, we replaced it for $80 from Oklahoma Foreign Parts and it bolted on easily and didn't even throw off the alignment, another reason I love Porsches and Boxsters/Caymans in particular

Depends how far down the rabbit hole you want to go.  Those motors can be ticking time bombs no matter what you do.  If you're fast and you're running at least R Dot tires I'd minimally do the motorsport AOS, deeper sump and 3rd radiator as well as good brake fluid and proper track brack pads.

If you're just starting out and on street tires, good brake fluid and a decent set of pads will get it done.

loosecannon said:

The bolts on the drivers side axle tend to work loose after a while, too so keep checking them.

This is news to me, thanks for the tip!