The solution=not so top secret idea of replacing a roller bearing with an oil lubed bushing? Dedicated oil supply to bearing? (WAG)

 

[QUOTE=KrazyK;10117086]Meares, even the Bentley manual admits that the IMSB is now considered a service item to be replaced at a recommended mileage interval. Thats why Im buying the $165 bearing and changing it with every clutch service. So the IMSB retrofit is gonna cost me @$165 plus my time. Where you been????

on the air cooled side

 

Yes, all bearing from 2002 thru early 2005 were the original single row type.

 

what about 1999??

 

1999's are all dual row. On the 2000 and 2001 models some were single and some dual row.

 

My '99 was dual but if the engine was ever changed, it could be something else.
I've replaced my dual row with a hybrid dual row, cost of bearing was $100. Then machined a spacer and a circlip to make it fit. Been in the car for only 2500km but the results so far are very promising.

 

Nothing has been released yet, but when you get your Panorama Magazine next week you'll see it... Then we'll open the site and share the videos.

Till then...

 

This is for the single row engines I take?

 

Yes, single row only. The dual row retrofit bearings are so robust we are not going to produce a "solution" for them though we do have one already designed.

The single row cars are what we are concerned with.

 

If this is being marketed as a "permanent replacement" and only sold for professional install (& cost $1500), does it come with a lifetime warranty?

 

The issue is defining the "lifetime" of an already used engine. I extend a lifetime warranty with the IMS Solution when it is part of one of my engine packages that we construct from scratch, but even then there are conditions.

We are not big on over promising, especially when other failures can create collateral damage that could take out the IMS Solution, thus leading to a finger pointing exercise. We avoid those at all costs.

 

Imo000, can you post more info about the bearing you used? Part #, pics, etc. I am interested in just accepting the fact its a service item and refuse to pay $625 or $1500 when I can just replace the bearing with every clutch job. Thanks.

 

My 02 has 97k miles with the original single row bearing. It seems obvious to me that any roller bearing is a normal wear item..the question with any of these roller bearings is how long they will last.

In my mind, the reasonable "solution" to this maintenance issue is a reasonably priced roller bearing which can be changed out during normal clutch service intervals. There is no reason why there is not a suitable replacement roller bearing available for under $100. If someone wants to spend $1500++ on the new "solution"..well thats a fine option for some folks. At the end of the day, I prefer a solution that I can install myself. I'm sure there are a lot of folks out there with the same mindset. If anyone has knowledge of a reasonably priced replacement for the single row bearing i'd love to hear about it.

Kudos to the Flat 6 team for developing this new technology and for their persistence in addressing the problem. Can't wait to hear more about it when it is fully unveiled.

 

Don't want to sidetrack this thread any further. You can find the engine repair thread on the Canadian forum. It shows the replacement bearing and all the info for it. The thread is called "I dragged home one of these" that I started in July. If you have any questions just post it in that thread and I'll answer it.

Interestingly enough, my buddy and I were contemplating and even drew out the design for the exact same setup as the Solution. At the end, it was my decision not to go with the friction bearing setup as it was simpler to use another ball bearing. When I saw the pictures last night, it was cool to see that, what one set of brains thought would be an ultimate design is thought by others too.

 

Got it, Thank you.