DDAY

Since most members on this forum are more familiar about the "IMS" issues than I am. I would appreciate any input from members who have either done this, or members opinions on it!
OK, here goes!
I am strongly considering purchasing the "LN engineering" (IMS) upgrade retrofit kit, and installing it before my "IMS" goes bad.
My dilemma is, do you think it is worth the expense to try to prevent a possible "IMS" failure in the future? And what do you think of their upgrade Kit, (ceramic hybrid bearing w/ silicon nitride roller *****). Their web site claims they are 3x to 5x stronger than stock.
I figure I am close to needing a new clutch anyways. So this might be a good time to do it, if it works!
Info on p car; 99' C4, with 70,000mi, 6spd.
LN's web site; http://www.lnengineering.com/ims.html
Thanks ahead of time for the input.
Dennis

Dharn55

An IMS bearing failure can be catastrophic, so the cost of this upgrade is cheap compared to a new engine. When I had my engine out to fix the intermix I really wanted to do this upgrade, but at the time they were still working out the technique and tools for the dual row bearing. This was only a month or so ago. I did do the OEM upgraded flange, but if I have the trans off or the engne out again I think I would do this upgrade. Just my thoughts.

ivangene

I dont think the kit works on your car if it a 3.4 99' - double check though

DDAY

I spoke to Charles over at "LN", and he said they did have the double row bearing I would need. I guess it is new. 99' 3.4 all had the double row bearing, according to Charles.

ivangene

that video and my cars miles make me think this should be done on mine -

Jake Raby

Kits are available for all pre 2006 engines using single or double roller bearings. The procedures are different for extracting each as are the tools.

We applied the first LN Engineering retrofit bearing into my personal car and it has endured extreme tests already. This weekend this car and two others will have another grueling set of tests accomplished on track under full data acquisition as we continue to evaluate the arrangements. I have completed all of LN's testing for over a decade with both air and watercooled Porsches.

I have successfully applied more of these retrofit assemblies than anyone, so feel free to contact me with questions directly.

I will not build or install ANY engine unless this upgrade is completed, period.

TT Surgeon

A friend of mine's car has that telltale rattle (03), is it a salvagable situation with just the kit?

ivangene

do both ends of the shaft rattle ? do you only need to repair the tranny side? is the rear (exhaust side) just too hard to access (required engine dissassembly)

If the bearing is bad (as in the video) and lasted 75k miles... why not replace it with another stock one?

Thanks Jake... this is an old road for you - and we need and appreciate your help

Jake Raby

Porsche does not sell the bearing. Porsche tols us that it was impossible to extract the dual row bearing.
there is only ONE bearing in the IMS, the other end is supported by a journal on the oil pump end of the block, no bearing is there and there is nothing to fail.

If ANYONE has a rattle DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR AT ALL OR FIRE UP THE ENGINE!! All it takes is 2 secods to turn an engine from possible salvation to total destruction.

ivangene

where would you hear this rattle and how obvious would it be....

SO the replacing of the bearing solves the IMS problem? or is there more to the story ( I read quite a bit of that write up, but not all)

deckman

Yeah can anyone give us a better idea of what the rattle is, where it comes from, any particular time that it's there?

Dave!

I believe it's a sudden "RATTLERATTLERATTLERATTLE *dead*" sort of deal, not a progressively louder rattle over the course of a thousand miles.

DCP

Dennis: What are you anticipating in extra labor costs over a normal clutch job to complete the upgrade?

Charlie C

Actually when mine "went", I was driving on a major toll road from NY to MA. Since I had the Fast Lane transponder in the car (aka EZ Pass), I wasn't stopping for the tolls, just slowing. I remember someone yelling (and probably trying to tell me about the noise) but I didn't think they were yelling to me. (I had the top down so there was a lot of wind noise.)

Finally after going through another toll, my wife said "is that noise from your car?" and then I heard it. Sounded like chains being whipped around in the engine. I thought it was coming from a pickup truck driving next to us but it wasn't. It was my car. The engine continued to run but I pulled over and turned off the ignition. Then I started it again to and it started with no problem. I slightly revved the engine to see if the noise accelerated with the engine and it did so I shut if off.

I probably could have continued driving it for who knows how long but I had it flat bedded to MA instead.

So even when the noise starts, the engine does not die immediately however, the dealer did find a lot of metal in the oil.

ivangene

what was the "fix" - new engine.... or new bearing ?