Next Level Performance
August 11, 2026 • 11 min read
Installing coilovers on a Porsche 987 Cayman or Boxster is the single most transformative upgrade you can make to the 2005–2012 mid-engine chassis. The 987 already has near-perfect 50/50 weight balance and a low, central mass; a quality coilover kit sharpens turn-in, kills body roll, and lets you dial in ride height, corner weights, and damping to match the street or the track. This step-by-step guide from our team at NLP Performance in Tampa, FL walks through the full install — tools, torque, ride-height setup, and the five best 987 coilover kits we stock, from the entry ST XA at around $1,900 to the flagship Ohlins Road & Track at roughly $4,100.
Our Verdict
A DIY-capable 987 coilover install takes 4–6 hours; budget a professional corner-balance and alignment afterward.
For most 987 Cayman and Boxster owners who want one kit that does street and track, the Ohlins Road & Track system is our top pick: DFV monotube dampers, 20-plus clicks of adjustment, and genuine 986/987 fitment. On a tighter budget, the ST XA and H&R Street Performance coilovers deliver the same ride-height control for around $2,000.
Shop Our Top Pick →What Makes the Porsche 987 Chassis Special?
The Porsche 987 is the second-generation Boxster (2005–2012) and the first-generation Cayman (2006–2012), both built on a shared mid-engine platform with MacPherson-strut suspension at all four corners. That strut layout is exactly why coilovers are such a natural upgrade: each corner uses a single spring-over-damper unit, so a bolt-in coilover replaces the factory strut without cutting or fabrication.
From the factory, a base 987 weighs roughly 2,900–3,000 lbs with near 50/50 front-to-rear balance, and the engine sits low and central. The stock suspension, however, is tuned for comfort and leaves visible wheel gap. A coilover kit lowers the center of gravity, tightens the spring and damping rates, and — on adjustable kits — lets you set ride height precisely and corner-balance the car. Cars originally equipped with PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management) require special attention: kits like the H&R Street Performance coilover disable PASM, so the factory PASM button and dash light are no longer used once installed.
The Ohlins DFV monotube damper is the heart of a 987 coilover conversion.
Best Coilovers for the Porsche 987 Cayman & Boxster
Before you turn a wrench, choose the right kit. We stock five suspension setups that fit the 987 (and, in several cases, the earlier 986 Boxster). They range from a fixed sport shock-and-spring package to a fully adjustable, track-bred coilover. Every product below links to its live NLP Performance page with current pricing and fitment.
| Kit | Type | Adjustability | Est. Lowering | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohlins Road & TrackTop Pick | Monotube coilover | Height + 20-click damping | Approx. 0.4–1.2 in | $4,100.00 |
| Bilstein B16 PSS9 | Monotube coilover | Height + 9-way damping | Approx. 0.4–1.4 in | $2,669.00 |
| Bilstein B12 Pro-Kit | Sport shocks + springs | Fixed (non-adjustable) | Approx. 0.8–1.2 in | $2,199.00 |
| H&R Street Performance | Threaded coilover | Height only | Approx. 0.6–1.8 in | $2,025.00 |
| ST XA | Threaded coilover | Height + rebound | Approx. 0.8–2.0 in | $1,929.00 |
Key Specifications — Ohlins Road & Track
What We Like
- + DFV technology keeps ride quality civil while adding real body control
- + 20-plus clicks of damping and full ride-height adjustment
- + Genuine 986/987 fitment covering both Boxster and Cayman
Things to Consider
- – Premium price point (around $4,100) versus budget coilovers
- – Single-adjustable damping, not separate compression/rebound like 3-way race units
Tools and Parts You Will Need
A 987 coilover install is well within reach for a mechanically confident DIYer, but the job goes faster and safer with the right tools. Gather these before you start:
- Floor jack and two to four jack stands (or a lift)
- 19 mm socket for the lug bolts and a torque wrench (up to ~120 ft-lb)
- Metric socket and wrench set (13 mm, 16 mm, 18 mm, 21 mm) plus Torx and hex bits
- Spring compressor — only if you are reusing factory top mounts on a spring-swap kit
- Coilover spanner wrenches (usually supplied with the kit) to set ride height
- Penetrating oil, anti-seize, and a breaker bar for stubborn strut bolts
- A tape measure for setting fender-to-hub-center height, and ideally corner-weight scales
ST XA coilovers use threaded spanner collars to set ride height at each corner.
How to Install Coilovers on Your 987 (Step by Step)
In our Tampa, FL shop we have fitted these kits to dozens of 987 Caymans and Boxsters, and the sequence below is the exact order we follow. It applies to any of the coilover kits above. Work one axle at a time so the car stays stable, and always support the chassis on jack stands — never rely on the jack alone. Plan for 4–6 hours the first time.
Step 1: Lift the Car and Remove the Wheels
Loosen the 19 mm lug bolts while the car is on the ground, then raise the front (or rear) of the 987, set jack stands under the factory jack points, and remove both wheels. Working on both sides of an axle at once keeps the sway bar unloaded and makes end-link removal far easier.
Step 2: Disconnect the Sway Bar End Links and Brake/ABS Lines
Unbolt the sway bar end link from the strut and gently move it aside. Unclip the ABS sensor wire and the flexible brake line bracket from the strut body so nothing is stretched when the strut drops. Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose — support it with a bungee or zip tie.
Step 3: Remove the Factory Strut
Support the lower control arm with the floor jack. Remove the two lower strut-to-hub bolts (typically 21 mm), then the three upper strut-mount nuts in the trunk/fender well. Lower the jack slowly to separate the knuckle, and pull the OEM strut assembly out. On PASM cars, unplug the damper connector before removal.
Step 4: Pre-Assemble and Set the Coilover
Bench-set each coilover to a sensible starting ride height before installation — a common street setup is a mild 0.75–1.0 in drop from stock. Thread the lower spring perch or lower mount to the length recommended in the kit instructions, and confirm the left and right units are assembled identically. Apply a dab of anti-seize to the threads so future height changes stay easy.
A threaded body coilover, like this H&R Street Performance unit, bolts in where the factory strut lived.
Step 5: Install the New Coilover
Feed the coilover up into the strut tower, start the upper mount nuts by hand, then jack the lower control arm up to align the lower mount and install the strut-to-hub bolts. Torque the lower bolts and upper mount nuts to Porsche factory specification (consult the model service manual for your exact chassis) — do not guess. Reconnect the ABS line, brake-line bracket, sway bar end link, and any PASM/damper connector.
Step 6: Reinstall Wheels and Repeat
Refit the wheels, snug the lug bolts, lower the car, and torque the lugs to roughly 96 ft-lb in a star pattern. Repeat the entire sequence on the opposite axle. With all four corners done, roll the car back and forth several times to settle the suspension before measuring anything.
How Do You Set Ride Height and Corner Balance on a 987?
Set ride height by measuring from the center of each wheel hub to the bottom lip of the fender, then adjusting the spring perch or lower mount until all four corners match your target. A street-friendly 987 usually lands around a 0.75–1.0 in drop; aggressive track setups go lower but sacrifice bump travel. Adjust in small increments, roll the car to settle it, and re-measure each time.
For the sharpest handling, corner-balance the car on scales with a half tank of fuel and driver weight simulated. The 987 responds strongly to even cross-weights — getting front and rear diagonal weights within a couple of percent transforms mid-corner balance. Always finish with a professional four-wheel alignment; a lowered 987 gains negative camber and toe changes that must be reset to protect tire life.
The Bilstein B16 PSS9 offers nine clicks of damping adjustment for the 987 Cayman S.
Common 987 Coilover Install Mistakes to Avoid
The most frequent error is skipping the post-install alignment — a dropped 987 will chew the inside edges of expensive tires within a few thousand miles if left uncorrected. The second is going too low: drop the car past the point where the control arms angle upward and you invite bump steer and a harsh ride. Third, on PASM-equipped cars, remember that kits such as the H&R Street Performance coilover deactivate PASM, so expect a dash message; that is normal, not a fault. Finally, do not reuse worn top mounts or bearings — fresh mounts keep the new coilovers quiet and precise.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to install coilovers on a Porsche 987?
A coilover install on a 987 Cayman or Boxster takes about 4 to 6 hours for a first-time DIYer with hand tools, or roughly 2 to 3 hours for a professional shop with a lift. Budget additional time and cost for a corner balance and a mandatory four-wheel alignment afterward.
Do 987 coilovers work on both the Cayman and the Boxster?
Yes. The 987 Cayman (2006–2012) and 987 Boxster (2005–2012) share the same mid-engine chassis and MacPherson-strut suspension, so most coilover kits list combined fitment. Kits like the Ohlins Road & Track and ST XA also cover the earlier 986 Boxster. Always confirm the exact year and model on the product page.
Will coilovers disable PASM on my 987?
Some do. The H&R Street Performance coilover explicitly disables PASM, so the factory adaptive-damping button stops working and a dash message appears — this is expected. Kits designed to retain PASM keep the factory electronic dampers connected. If keeping PASM matters to you, verify compatibility before buying.
How much does it cost to install coilovers on a 987?
The kits themselves range from around $1,900 for the ST XA to about $4,100 for the Ohlins Road & Track. Professional installation typically adds $400 to $800, and a four-wheel alignment runs roughly $150 to $300. A corner balance, if desired, adds around $150 to $400.
How low can you drop a Porsche 987 on coilovers?
Most 987 coilovers offer roughly 0.4 to 2.0 inches of adjustable drop depending on the kit. A street setup of about 0.75 to 1.0 inch keeps ride quality and travel intact, while track builds go lower. Going too low reduces suspension travel and can cause bump steer, so match the drop to how you use the car.
Are coilovers worth it on a Porsche Cayman or Boxster?
For enthusiasts, yes. Coilovers sharpen turn-in, reduce body roll, and let you set ride height, damping, and corner weights on an already well-balanced chassis. Even a modest drop noticeably improves the 987 stance and handling. For a comfort-first daily driver, a fixed sport kit like the Bilstein B12 Pro-Kit is a simpler alternative.
Ready to Transform Your 987?
Shop Ohlins, Bilstein, H&R, and ST coilovers for the Porsche Cayman and Boxster — plus thousands more performance parts at NLP Performance.
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