Charles Navarro

The dual row bearing has an internal wire lock that requires more force than the single row, which has an external snap ring that you remove prior to extraction.

Sancho22

thanks.
I was told that the engine i have is not an M96, intact an M97. I can tell you - at least based on this am checking in MY garage - it is an M96.

Are there different types of M96 where you need to do more work/much harder to replace the IMS? My car has a replacement Porsche factory (rebuilt) engine from 2005.
The shop (paperwork provided by the PO) who did the engine swap, states a 3.4 engine with 996 codes...

At this point I am totally confused after 20 years of Porsche ownership and trust the shop who serviced many of my cars ...

AnthonyGS

Having an M97 in a 996 would be really unusual unless someone did the engine swap on purpose. The M97 is the usual engine in a 997 or 987.

808Bill

Sounds like you have an m96 factory replacement with the same LARGE (non serviceable) imsb used in the M97.
Post a picture of you engines serial number. It will have an AT in it like mine...

Sancho22

here it is

Sancho22

it does have the AT in it just like yours...should i just let it be? The engine has about 16K miles on it.

Charles Navarro

As Bill mentioned, this will probably have the late 06-08 non-serviceable bearing. Basically, any replacement engine manufactured in model year 2006 or later would receive the updated bearing, even if it wasn't original to the engine. That's not a total loss, you should still have the bearing's grease seal removed to extend the life of the bearing:

http://imsretrofit.com/my06-08/

Sancho22

thanks Charles!

jkoravos

A dealer just quoted me $2800 to do the IMSS as part of a 996 purchase (specifically the LN). Reasonable? If RMS is done at the same time, what kind of premium should that be?

808Bill

If it's the LN Solution (oil fed) then yes jump on it!

jkoravos

I'll have to verify it's the oil fed.

808Bill

That's what the IMSS is (aka The IMS Solution)

jkoravos

I didn't realize there was a difference.

808Bill

https://lnengineering.com/products/i...7-engines.html

jkoravos

I see, extra $1000 for oil fed. Although if there are no failures reported with either option with >30,000 installed (!!!) why would you spend the extra grand?