Table of contents
In this Porsche Cayman GTS suspension tuning guide, we reveal common handling complaints, the most effective suspension upgrades, and how Suspension Secrets parts unlock the full potential of Porsche’s 981 and 718 chassis.
Cayman GTS Suspension & Handling Overview
The 981-series Porsche Cayman GTS arrived in 2014 packing a 3.4-litre flat-six engine producing 340hp/380Nm. This powerplant could be linked to a six-speed manual or seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission.
GTS suspension comprises front and rear MacPherson struts, a 10mm lower ride height than lesser powered Caymans, and Porsche’s Active Suspension Management (PASM) electronically controlled damping as standard. Stock GTS wheel size is 20-inch wrapped in 235/35 front and 265/35 rear rubber.
The 718 (982) Cayman replaced the 981 in 2016. The mid-life update introduced firmer springs and anti-roll bars, plus retuned dampers. The 718's 10% quicker steering and half-inch wider tyres further ramped up handling prowess.
In 2019, Porsche debuted the Cayman GTS 4.0 with a four-litre flat-six closely related to the Cayman GT4's and making 394hp/420Nm. However, in terms of suspension both versions of the Cayman GTS are set up to provide safe handling that suits the broadest range of driving abilities. This creates the following issues…
Common Porsche Cayman GTS Handling Problems
- Mid-corner understeer
- Limited front axle grip
- Excessive front tyre wear during high speed driving
- Limited steering communication
These frustrating characteristics hold back the GTS package and also rob the car of time on circuit.
Thankfully, all these issues can be fixed with bolt-on suspension upgrades.
Common Handling Problems (And How to Fix Them)
The Porsche Cayman GTS is set up to understeer at the limit, affecting driver enjoyment and confidence in the car. It’ll also cost you a small fortune in front tyres.
The most effective fixes are:
1. Increasing front camber to reduce understeer
2. Improving rear toe control to enhance traction
3. Lowering the centre of gravity to reduce pitch and roll
4. Correcting geometry with a professional alignment
All combined, these upgrades transform how the GTS communicates, corners and brakes on the road and track.
Porsche Cayman GTS Suspension Geometry & Alignment Setup (Top Tip)
A full suspension geometry alignment is essential after installing new suspension parts.
By correctly adjusting camber, toe, and caster (where available), alignment ensures you maximise grip, stability, and tyre life.
Benefits of Proper Cayman GTS Geometry Setup
- Sharper steering response
- Increased cornering grip
- Improved rear traction
- Enhanced braking stability
A professional alignment is the single most cost-effective handling upgrade you can make.
Fast Road Cayman GTS Suspension Upgrades
This section covers the essential Fast Road suspension upgrades for the Porsche Cayman GTS and GTS 4.0. In other words, the parts that deliver the greatest handling improvements with minimal impact on day-to-day usability. These upgrades form the basis of all Suspension Secrets handling packages and are the ideal starting point for both road and track-focused builds.
Camber Caster Plate Top Mounts
A lack of factory camber adjustment is the primary cause of the Cayman GTS’s mid-corner understeer.
Adjustable camber plates from Suspension Secrets allow additional negative camber to be dialled into the front axle, significantly improving front-end grip and steering feel.
Why Camber Plates Matter on the Cayman GTS
- Reduce understeer
- Sharpen turn-in
- Increase steering feedback
- Improve tyre wear on track
Suspension Secrets Adjustable Camber & Caster Plates also increase caster angle, providing dynamic camber gain as steering lock is applied. These camber plates are fully compatible with OEM dampers and PASM.
Adjustable Rear Top Mounts
The rear axle of the GTS also suffers from a lack of camber adjustment. Therefore it is not possible to achieve more than -1.6 degrees without upgrades.
Our Suspension Secrets Rear Camber Plate Top Mounts allow up to -2.6 degrees of camber for fast road setups using the stock springs. When the Cayman GTS is equipped with lowering springs, up to -3.5 degrees is possible (ride height dependent).
Wider rear tyres are one of the most effective ways to increase traction on the 981/718 Cayman GTS. However, fitting a 305 rear tyre on the standard setup typically causes contact with the rear wheel arches.
Suspension Secrets Rear Camber Top Mounts introduce an offset camber design that allows 305 width rear tyres to fit on the standard wheels with full clearance and no body modifications required.
Rear Camber Plate benefits:
- Allows fitment of 305 rear tyres on standard wheels
- Increases rear axle grip and traction
- Improves corner exit performance
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Retains OEM dampers and PASM functionality
The design also increases the available rear camber range while maintaining the OEM damper travel ratio, making it a simple bolt-on upgrade for both road and track use.
Adjustable Rear Toe Arms
With rear negative camber increased by the top mounts described above, the next step is unlocking more toe angle adjustment. This allows you to achieve the perfect fast road (and track) setup - without compromise.
Although the factory toe arms can be adjusted, their range is limited and compromises overall setup, especially as more negative camber is applied. As rear camber is increased to improve cornering grip, it becomes impossible to achieve the toe-in necessary for enhanced corner-exit stability and traction.
Suspension Secrets Adjustable Rear Toe Arms offer:
- Greater adjustment range than OEM arms
- Independent optimisation of camber and toe
- Solid mounting to eliminate flex under load
- Increased cornering stability
Unlike the rubber‑bushed factory arms, our rose-jointed toe arms maintain consistent geometry during acceleration and high-speed cornering.
Lowering Springs
Lowering springs are a highly effective suspension modification for the Porsche Cayman GTS and GTS 4.0. A straight swap for the factory springs, these parts improve handling, enhance looks, and work perfectly with our other fast road upgrades.
GTS Lowering Springs Benefits:
- Lower the centre of gravity
- Reduce brake dive and acceleration squat
- Decrease the amount of body roll through corners
- Improve the car's aesthetics and wheelarch fitment
Lowering springs are typically stiffer than OEM springs, which further increases handling sharpness. This upgrade also lays a great foundation for any GTS model destined for serious track work.
Cayman GTS Suspension Upgrades for Track
The suspension upgrades described above will significantly enhance the handling of your Cayman GTS on the road and track. However, if you wish to unlock even more performance from the 718 Cayman chassis on track, you'll also need the parts detailed below...
Adjustable Bump-Steer Tie Rod Ends
Suspension geometry and steering kinematics play a significant role in how the Cayman GTS and GTS 4.0 behave at higher speeds. We often see these cars lowered and/or fitted with aftermarket coilovers for track driving, however this upgrade causes bump-steer.
Bump-steer is caused by the front toe angle changing as the suspension moves through its travel. This leads to a vague feeling during turn-in, and generally unpredictable front end behaviour.
The Suspension Secrets Bump-Steer Tie Rod Ends are fully adjustable to address this problem. They allow the suspension's correct movement arc to be maintained, even when the car is lowered, significantly reducing and even eliminating bump-steer.
Upgrade Benefits:
- Removes bump-steer
- Improves turn-in response
- More consistent steering
- Reduces understeer
This upgrade is particularly beneficial when running kerbs and driving over undulating track surfaces, ridding the Cayman GTS chassis of unpredictability and boosting driver confidence.
Solid Bushes and Pucks
Despite being an outstanding driver's car, the Porsche GTS and GTS 4.0 still rely on rubber suspension bushes to balance performance with road comfort. When pushed hard - particularly through fast corners and under heavy braking - these bushes flex, allowing small but significant changes in suspension geometry. This leads to a slight softness in response, reduced steering clarity and a loss of consistency at the limit.
Suspension Secrets solid control arm bushes and monoball upgrades replace the original rubber components with billet aluminium housings and motorsport-grade spherical bearings. By eliminating unwanted compliance, camber and toe remain stable under load, and forces are transferred directly into the chassis.
The result is sharper steering, improved braking stability, stronger rear-end grip and a much more connected feel - allowing the GT3 RS to perform with the precision its chassis was designed for.
Solid bushes - key benefits
- Sharper, more accurate steering response
- Improved chassis rigidity and rear axle stability
- Consistent suspension geometry under load
- Greater braking confidence and control
- Increased cornering grip and traction
- Faster response to driver inputs
- Reduced understeer
For driving on track, we recommend fitting Suspension Secrets Solid Control Arm Bushes and Lower Control Arm Inner Monoballs to the Cayman GTS and GTS 4.0.
Porsche Cayman GTS Suspension FAQ
Why does the Porsche Cayman GTS understeer from the factory?
The Cayman GTS is set up with safe, road-biased suspension geometry to suit a wide range of drivers. This usually means limited front camber and conservative alignment settings, which can cause mid-corner understeer, reduced front-end grip, and increased front tyre wear when driving hard or on track.
What is the most effective suspension upgrade for the Cayman GTS?
Increasing front negative camber with adjustable camber plates is one of the most effective upgrades. It improves front-axle grip, sharpens turn-in, and reduces understeer without affecting everyday usability, especially when combined with a proper geometry setup.
Do I need a wheel alignment after installing suspension parts?
Yes. A professional suspension geometry alignment is essential after fitting any suspension upgrade. Correct camber, toe, and caster settings ensure maximum grip, better tyre life, improved stability, and the best overall handling performance.
Are lowering springs safe to use with PASM dampers?
Yes. Quality lowering springs designed for the Cayman GTS are fully compatible with OEM dampers and PASM. They lower the centre of gravity, reduce body roll, and improve handling while maintaining good road comfort.
What suspension upgrades are best for track driving in a Cayman GTS?
For track use, the most effective upgrades include camber plates, rear toe arms, bump-steer tie rod ends, and solid suspension bushes. These parts improve steering precision, maintain correct geometry under load, and make the chassis more stable and predictable at high speed.
Tested and developed by Suspension Secrets through extensive road and track evaluation, these upgrades unlock the full chassis potential of the Porsche Cayman GTS and GTS 4.0.