987 Cayman/Boxster Wheel & Tire Fitment Guide – APEX Race Parts

For 2005-2012 Porsche 987 Cayman and Boxster chassis

Vehicle Covered in this Guide
2005-2012 Porsche Cayman/Boxster chassis including Base, S and R models.

Brake Clearance Information

In the engineering phase of wheel development we 3D scan factory brakes and review 2D aftermarket brake templates in order to optimize our barrel profiles and spoke curvatures. As a result, our wheels offer massive brake clearance so you can run the smallest possible wheel diameter.

Available Wheel Designs (click images to enlarge)

Flow Formed Designs

SM-10

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Bolt Pattern	Center Bore	Lug Seat	Thread Pitch
5x130mm	71.6mm	R14 Ball Seat	M14x1.5mm

OEM+

Easy upgrades for street-driven cars

These bolt-on wheel fitments are ideal for enthusiasts enjoying their car day-to-day on the street, and they are typically paired with all-season or performance oriented summer tires. These wheel and tire configurations will improve the appearance and performance of the car without requiring modifications to the factory suspension or alignment. Just bolt-on and enjoy!

While these wheel fitments can be used for track days and AutoX, performance will be left on the table. Drivers that prioritize performance should review our Performance Street & Track and/or Hardcore Track & Race sections below.

Wheels

Front: 18x8.5" ET50 // Rear: 18x10" ET36
- Available in SM-10
- Popular Fitment

Tires

APEX Staff Pick: Front: 245/40-18 // Rear: 275/40-18
- Direct Fit
- A slightly shorter 275/35-18 can also be ran in the rear
- Ultra High Performance All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
- Max Performance Summer: Michelin PSS (300 TW)
- Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (240 TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW), Hankook RS-4 (200 TW), Goodyear Supercar 3 (220 TW)

Alternative 1: Front: 235/40-18 // Rear: 265/40-18
- Factory 987 Tire Sizes
- Direct Fit
- Ultra High Performance All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
- Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300 TW)
- Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (240 TW), Hankook RS-4 (200 TW)

Alternative 2: Front: 245/35-18 // Rear: 275/35-18
- Direct Fit
- Ultra High Performance All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
- Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300 TW)
- Extreme Performance Summer: Continental Extremecontact Force (200 TW)

Wheels

Front: 19x9" ET50 // Rear: 19x10" ET40
- Available in SM-10
- Popular Fitment

Tires

APEX Staff Pick: Front: 245/35-19 // Rear: 275/35-19
- Direct Fit
- Ultra High Performance All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
- Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300 TW)
- Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Hankook RS-4 (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW)

Alternative: Front: 235/35-19 // Rear: 265/35-19
- Factory 987 Cayman R tire sizes
- Direct Fit
- Ultra High Performance All-Season: Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (540 TW)
- Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300 TW)
- Extreme Performance Summer: Michelin Cup 2 240 Connect (240 TW), Goodyear Supercar 3 (220 TW), Yokohama AD08R (200 TW), Continental Extremecontact Force (200 TW)

Performance Street & Track

Wider fitments for enhanced performance

Whether you enjoy spirited street driving or you are a weekend track warrior chasing lap times, these wheel & tire configurations are ideal for enthusiasts looking for a more dramatic improvement in performance and they are typically paired with performance oriented summer tires or track oriented r-compounds. Most notably, these fitments incorporate wider 9” front wheels which provide superior tire sidewall support over the more "generic" 8.5" front wheels. A wider front wheel and tire combination will increase front end grip and close the stagger from front to rear resulting in sharper turn-in and less understeer. This is one of the easiest and most effective improvements you can make to your Porsche from a handling perspective.

We've optimized the offset of our 9" front wheels to to work well with the stock fenders, however, a wide variety of tire compounds can be used and some may require negative camber to fit properly. See fitment notes under each tire configuration below to see if modifications are required. If you plan to track your car, we highly recommended dialing in negative camber regardless of whether your wheel/tire fitment requires it for fender clearance. Negative camber is vital for extracting the most performance and longevity out of your tires, and without the proper amount the outer shoulders of your tires will wear out prematurely and running tire costs will dramatically increase.

Wheels

Front: 18x9" ET46 // Rear: 18x10" ET36
- Available in SM-10
- Popular Fitment

Tires

APEX Staff Pick: Front: 245/40-18 // Rear: 275/40-18
- Typically a direct fit, but we encourage a little additional negative camber up front
- Shorter 275/35-18 rear tires can also be used
- Max Performance Summer: Michelin PSS (300 TW)
- Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (240 TW), Hankook RS-4 (200 TW), Goodyear Supercar 3 (220 TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW)
- R-Compounds: Nitto NT01 (100 TW), Nankang AR-1 (100 TW)

Alternative 1: Front: 255/35-18 // Rear: 275/35-18
- A minimum of -2º of front camber is recommended
- Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300 TW)
- Extreme Performance Summer: Hankook RS-4 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW)
- R-Compound: Nankang AR-1 (100 TW), Toyo R888R

Alternative 2: Front: 245/35-18 // Rear: 275/35-18
- Typically a direct fit, but we encourage a little additional negative camber up front
- Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300 TW)
- Extreme Performance Summer: Continental Extremecontact Force (200 TW)
- R-Compound: No options currently available

Alternative 3: Front: 255/35-18 // Rear: 295/30-18
- A minimum of -2º of front and rear camber is recommended
- Rear fender rolling may be required
- Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300 TW)
- Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW)
- R-Compound: Nankang AR-1 (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW)

Alternative 4: Front: 265/35-18 // Rear: 295/35-18
- A minimum of -2.5º of front and rear camber is recommended
- Rear fender rolling may be required
- Max Performance Summer: Continental Extremecontact Sport (340 TW)
- Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW)
- R-Compound: No options currently available

Wheels

Front: 19x9" ET50 // Rear: 19x10" ET40
- Available in SM-10
- Popular Fitment

Tires

APEX Staff Pick: Front: 245/35-19 // Rear: 275/35-19
- Direct Fit
- Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300 TW)
- Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW), Hankook RS-4 (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW)
- R-Compound: Michelin Cup 2 (180 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW), Nankang AR-1 (100 TW)

Alternative: Front: 235/35-19 // Rear: 265/35-19
- Factory 987 Cayman R tire sizes
- Direct Fit
- Max Performance Summer: Michelin PS4S (300 TW)
- Extreme Performance Summer: Michelin Cup 2 240 Connect (240 TW), Goodyear Supercar 3 (220 TW), Yokohama AD08R (200 TW), Continental Extremecontact Force (200 TW)
- R-Compound: Michelin Cup 2 (180 TW), Goodyear Supercar Eagle 3R (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW), Nankang AR-1 (100 TW)

Hardcore Track & Race

All-out performance for fastest lap times

These wheel and tire configurations are best suited for hardcore track junkies and club racers competing for a spot on the podium. Everything from Extreme Summer tires to full Racing Slicks are commonly used depending on your experience behind the wheel, class rules, etc. Most notably, these fitments incorporate wider 9” front wheels which provide superior tire sidewall support over the more "generic" 8.5" front wheels. A wider front wheel and tire combination will increase front end grip and close the stagger from front to rear resulting in sharper turn-in and less understeer. This is one of the easiest and most effective improvements you can make to your Porsche from a handling perspective.

Wheels

Front: 18x9" ET46 // Rear: 18x10" ET36
- Available in SM-10
- Popular Fitment

Tires

APEX Staff Pick: Front: 245/40-18 // Rear: 275/40-18
- Typically a direct fit, but we encourage a little additional negative camber up front
- Shorter 275/35-18 rear tires can also be used
- Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (240 TW), Hankook RS-4 (200 TW), Goodyear Supercar 3 (220 TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW)
- R-Compounds: Nitto NT01 (100 TW), Nankang AR-1 (100 TW)
- Semi-Slicks: No options currently available

Alternative 1: Front: 255/35-18 // Rear: 275/35-18
- A minimum of -2º of front camber is recommended
- Extreme Performance Summer: Hankook RS-4 (200 TW), Dunlop Direzza ZIII (200 TW), Falken RT660 (200 TW), Nankang CR-1 (200 TW)
- R-Compound: Nankang AR-1 (100 TW), Toyo R888R
- Semi-Slick: Hoosier R7 & A7 (40 TW)

Alternative 2: Front: 245/35-18 // Rear: 275/35-18
- Typically a direct fit, but we encourage a little additional negative camber up front
- Extreme Performance Summer: Continental Extremecontact Force (200 TW)
- R-Compound: No options currently available
- Semi-Slick: Hoosier R7 & A7 (40 TW), Hankook Z214 C51 (40 TW)

Alternative 3: Front: 255/35-18 // Rear: 295/30-18
- A minimum of -2º of front camber is recommended
- Rear fender rolling may be required
- Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW)
- R-Compound: Nankang AR-1 (100 TW), Toyo R888R (100 TW)
- Semi-Slick: Hoosier R7 & A7 (40 TW), Toyo RR (40 TW)

Alternative 4: Front: 265/35-18 // Rear: 295/35-18
- A minimum of -2.5º of front and rear camber is recommended
- Rear fender rolling may be required
- Extreme Performance Summer: Yokohama A052 (200 TW)
- R-Compound: No options currently available
- Semi-Slick: No options currently available

Alternative 5: Front: 245/645-18 // Rear: 305/660-18
- A minimum of -2.5º of front & -3º rear camber is recommended
- Rear fender rolling is typically required
- Racing Slick: Pirelli DH

Alternative 6: Front: 265/645-18 // Rear: 305/660-18
- A minimum of -3º of front & rear camber is recommended
- Rear fender rolling is typically required
- Racing Slick: Pirelli DH

PCA Spec Cayman (SPC)

Race series compliant wheels

Spec Cayman is a PCA racing series that promotes equal competition between drivers utilizing the 2006-2008 Cayman S (3.4 liter) cars. As long as the proper S engine and transmission are installed, the non‐S (2.9‐liter model) chassis from 2007 - 2008 may also be used.

A spec series or "one-make" series is based on a designated make/model vehicle and requires all drivers to prepare them in accordance to a predetermined set of rules. A field of identical race cars puts an emphasis on driver skill and team preparation, and with costs controlled more drivers can afford to get behind the wheel. This is some of the most exciting and competitive racing out there!

Whether you currently race in Spec Cayman, plan to join in the future, or you intend to modify your weekend track car in parity with the rulebook so you can accurately compare lap times to racers, any 987 Cayman/Boxster owner can run this approved wheel and tire configuration. In regards to wheels and tires, official rulebook states:

The required rims are 18x9 front and 18x10 rear or narrower.
Wheel/tire combined weight must be equal or exceed 40 lbs. for fronts, and 46 lbs. for rears.
The tread at the top of the tire may not extend out beyond the fender arch above it. This rule does not apply to the rear for rain tires as long as the spacers used are no wider than necessary to prevent rubbing.
Hubs may be converted to studs in place of wheel bolts.
Click here to view the complete rulebook

Wheels

Front: 18x9” ET46 // Rear: 18x10" ET36
- Available in: SM-10

Tires

Dry: Front: 245/35-18 // Rear: 275/35-18
- Hankook Z214 C51 (40 TW)

Wet: Free as long as they fit on the spec legal wheels above

Additional Resources

Brake Clearance Information

Factory 4 piston 318mm - fits all
Factory PCCB 6 piston 350mm - fits all
Brembo 1M1.9004A 6 piston 380mm - fits 18x8.5" ET42 & 18x9" ET46 SM-10 wheels only
Brembo 1M1.8802A 6 piston 355mm - fits all
Brembo 1P1.8503A 4 piston 365mm - fits all
Brembo 1B1.9016A 4 piston 355mm - fits all
AP Racing 13.01.0054 CP9661 4 piston 355mm - fits all
StopTech 83.788.6700.51 ST60 6 piston 355mm - fits all

Should I Dial in Negative Camber, and How Much is Right for me?

Whether you are a casual weekend track warrior that still enjoys your car on the street, or a hardcore racer competing for a spot on the podium, negative camber is a vital part of chassis setup that has many benefits. Not only will adding negative camber create more room for wider wheel and tire configurations, it more importantly improves handling, turn-in and tire longevity. Learn more in our blog article, The Positives of Negative Camber.

Still have questions?
Fill out our Fitment Recommendation form
Call us: 925-245-0773
Email us: support@apexraceparts.com

PCA Spec Cayman (SPC)

Additional Resources

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