{"id":12816,"date":"2025-08-31T09:11:41","date_gmt":"2025-08-31T08:11:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.design911.co.uk\/blog\/?p=12816"},"modified":"2025-09-01T10:35:29","modified_gmt":"2025-09-01T09:35:29","slug":"porschemode-building-the-porsches-porsche-didnt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.design911.co.uk\/blog\/porschemode-building-the-porsches-porsche-didnt\/","title":{"rendered":"Porschemode: Building the Porsches Porsche Didn\u2019t"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Independent Porsche specialists often fall into one of two camps. Some concentrate on maintenance and restoration, others on performance and tuning. Porschemode<\/a> sits somewhere in the middle, blending the engineering rigour of a workshop with the ambition of a race team. The result is a business that has grown rapidly over the past eight years, carving out a reputation for honesty, ingenuity and, above all, building cars that Porsche never quite dared to.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been running the business for eight years now, taking it from strength to strength,\u201d says Martin, founder of Porschemode. \u201cWe started in a much smaller unit \u2013 it was just me and one ramp. Over the years, we\u2019ve evolved and adapted to the Porsche market.\u201d<\/p>\n

That evolution has been significant. From its modest beginnings, Porschemode now operates out of a facility that feels closer to a boutique main dealer than an independent. With four two-post ramps, a scissor alignment ramp, car stackers for project vehicles and eight dedicated sales bays, the infrastructure reflects a business that has ambitions beyond routine servicing.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy goal was always to make Porschemode feel like a mini dealership,\u201d Martin explains. \u201cBut where we differ is in how we approach the work. Every customer has their own goals, so we always tailor what we do to what they want from their car.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Evolving With the Cars<\/h2>\n

Porschemode\u2019s growth mirrors the maturing of the cars themselves. Models that were once new are now modern classics. The Boxster 986, the 996 and the early Caymans are no longer under warranty, and many examples are two decades old. Owners want to refresh, restore and, in many cases, upgrade.<\/p>\n

\u201cCustomers come to us after visiting other garages, saying the car doesn\u2019t feel quite right,\u201d Martin says. \u201cWe give them an honest opinion and a clear plan forward. Even something as simple as a suspension refresh can transform a Porsche back to how it drove from the factory.\u201d<\/p>\n

This pragmatic approach is what sets Porschemode apart. Rather than simply chasing horsepower figures, Martin and his team understand the value of bringing a chassis back to life. Suspension arms, bushes, dampers \u2013 all make a huge difference. \u201cEven a standard 911 can feel incredible again once you sort the basics,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n

Fixing, Not Just Replacing<\/h2>\n

Martin\u2019s team is made up of engineers, not parts-fitters. This is important.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve had technicians come from Porsche dealerships, but the mindset there is often just to swap parts,\u201d Martin explains. \u201cIf something breaks, the dealer will replace it wholesale. Our background is engineering. We fix problems properly, rather than just bolting on something new.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a philosophy that resonates with owners of older Porsches. Cars like the 996 and 997 can often benefit from repair rather than full replacement, particularly when original parts are expensive or difficult to source. Porschemode combines mechanical sympathy with modern upgrades, creating solutions that keep cars on the road without compromising their character.<\/p>\n

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When a Cayman Became a GT4<\/h2>\n

Among the many builds Porschemode has undertaken, one stands out. James\u2019s 987 Cayman S began life as a capable sports car, but one that always seemed to sit in the shadow of the 911. That changed after a trip to the N\u00fcrburgring and Spa.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was driving a 981 GT4 3.8 and James was in his Cayman,\u201d Martin recalls. \u201cThe cars were similar in feel, but I was always pulling away from him on the straights. On the way back he just said, \u2018I need more power.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

The solution was a bold one: Porschemode transplanted a 997 3.8-litre engine into James\u2019s Cayman S. \u201cFor half the cost of a GT4, we built the car Porsche didn\u2019t \u2013 essentially a Cayman S GT4,\u201d Martin says. \u201cMaybe it\u2019s the car Porsche would have built, but couldn\u2019t, because it would have overshadowed the Carrera S at the time.\u201d<\/p>\n

The work went beyond an engine swap. James\u2019s Cayman received an extensive list of upgrades, many sourced through Design911<\/a>:<\/p>\n

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    Speedworks front lip, canards and side skirts<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Bilstein B16 suspension<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Lightweight flywheel and clutch<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Upgraded gearbox mounts<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    200-cell racing cats paired with a Milltek resonated exhaust<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    GT3 throttle body<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    MRN carbon intake<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    The result was transformative. Not only did the car deliver the power James craved, but it also had the poise and handling to match. \u201cIt sounds incredible and finally gives him the performance he was missing,\u201d Martin says.<\/p>\n

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    Why Porschemode Works<\/h2>\n

    Part of Porschemode\u2019s success lies in keeping control of the process. \u201cThe only thing we outsource is paintwork,\u201d Martin explains. \u201cEverything else is done in-house with strict quality control. Once you start outsourcing, quality can slip. We want to know exactly what goes into every car.\u201d<\/p>\n

    This approach is supported by a strong relationship with Design911<\/a>, one of the UK\u2019s leading Porsche parts specialists. \u201cI\u2019ve been working with Design911 for around seven years,\u201d Martin says. \u201cJason has always given me reliable service. The range is huge \u2013 whether it\u2019s Bilstein shocks, upgraded components, or clutches and flywheels. Pretty much anything you need is available next day, which makes a huge difference for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

    That availability allows Porschemode to test new solutions in-house. \u201cWe usually fit parts to our own cars first,\u201d Martin explains. \u201cIf we wouldn\u2019t use it ourselves, we wouldn\u2019t fit it to a customer car.\u201d<\/p>\n

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    Engineering Answers for Enthusiasts<\/h2>\n

    Porschemode\u2019s customers range from track-day regulars to owners who simply want their car to feel as good as it did when new. The common thread is a desire for more than just standard servicing.<\/p>\n

    \u201cIf a customer says they want to do something, we usually already have a solution,\u201d Martin says. \u201cAnd if we don\u2019t, we\u2019ll go out, find one, and make it happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

    It\u2019s this engineering-first approach, combined with access to trusted suppliers like Design911<\/a>, that has helped Porschemode earn its reputation. For some, it\u2019s about refreshing a tired 996. For others, it\u2019s about creating something Porsche never offered \u2013 a Cayman with GT4 performance, or a 911 tuned for the track.<\/p>\n

    Looking Ahead<\/h2>\n

    The Porsche market shows no sign of slowing. With modern classics now reaching an age where major work is required, specialists like Porschemode are more important than ever. They offer solutions that balance originality with performance, respecting the brand while pushing its boundaries.<\/p>\n

    For Martin, the future is about continuing to grow while holding onto the ethos that made Porschemode successful. \u201cWe\u2019re honest, we\u2019re practical, and we\u2019re engineers,\u201d he says. \u201cThat\u2019s why people come to us. We don\u2019t just build cars \u2013 we build the cars people always thought Porsche should have made.\u201d<\/p>\n

    For more on Porschemode, visit porschemode.com<\/a>.
    To explore performance upgrades, tuning parts and factory-quality replacements for your Porsche, head to     design911.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n