Porsche Cayman 981 Deman Engine Market Index2012-2016

About the Porsche Cayman 981 Deman Engine

The DeMan-modified Porsche Cayman 981 represents the ultimate "giant-killer" in the mid-engine world, transforming the already capable 981 platform into a supercar-rivalling powerhouse. Engineered by New York-based specialist Rick DeMan, these bespoke builds typically involve stroking the factory flat-six to a massive 4.5-litre displacement, utilizing Mahle racing pistons and Carrillo rods to produce up to 420kW at the crank. Beyond the raw engine output, the DeMan conversion is often paired with a custom close-ratio gearbox and a lightweight flywheel, addressing the factory car's famously long gearing to provide explosive acceleration through every gear. In the Australian market, a DeMan-engined Cayman is an exceptionally rare find, often arriving as a high-end private import or commissioned at immense expense by local purists seeking GT3-levels of performance in a more balanced chassis. This rarity creates a highly exclusive buyer pool and a commanding market value, as these cars are viewed not merely as modified vehicles, but as precision-engineered "restomods" that offer an analogue driving experience the modern 718 lineage simply cannot replicate.