Flat6 Innovations

I wondered how long it would take you to show up.

Yes, one grease filled bearing is all that we h e seen here, and that is a fact. How many IMSR jobs have you done? Without direct, first hand experience on the topic at hand don't challenge my personal experiences. Would you know what a failing IMS bearing looked like if it fell out of the sky and whacked you in the head? Probably not.

Rennlist my own personal infomercial.. That's hilarious! I can't think of a single person who has stated that they sought out our services because of this forum. I have not once ever posted an ad here like other forum supporters do, either.

I slowed down posting here over the last few months and life was better when I did that. The only reason I posted in this thread and the only reason that I post on forums at all is to set the record straight. If I did not pay attention and did not post inaccurate information concerning the IMS Solution having experienced a failure would be in this thread.

Have a great Sunday.. This thread has spiraled into having no quality technical content even though I tried to get it back on track.

Ben Z

At the time (3 years ago) I didn't think there was any reason to take pics of it. In fact I didn't even ask the installer (recommended by LN) to show it to me. He only did so to address my concern that there might be swarf in my engine from a failing bearing that could compromise the longevity of the open ceramic replacement. I was not at all upset that the OEM bearing was intact, in fact just the opposite. I was happy I got to changing it out proactively before the eventual breakdown of the seals and washout of the grease. Like you yourself say, the retrofit is a proactive, preventative measure, not a fix for a failed or partially disintegrated bearing. So by your criteria, I had my retrofit done at an ideal time.

TSMacNeil

I got a lot out of this thread:

1) OEM IMSB's have a .25% probability of retaining their grease
2) Seasoned Porsche mechanics know less about the M96 than young Subaru mechanics
3) Seasoned Porsche mechanics cannot be reliably expected to properly use a "Faultless" tool

Very enlightening...I'd hardly call it a waste.

kromdom

I am due for an oil change.....should I use dino or synthetic

Flat6 Innovations

Ben Z,
We love to hear that engines are being retrofitted proactively. People get all post when their old bearing is NOt failing and they say that they wasted money and this is all hype. What they don't realize is that if their old bearing began to fail that the rest of the engine has already seen other collateral damage. This is due to the design of the factory oil filter bypass system. The new bearing is also seriously put at risk for future failure and this is why we recommend proactive procedures.

The guys that get mad because they "wasted money" are the guys who will get the biggest return on their investment from the retrofit. They don't know what they don't know, and many won't listen or don't understand.

Did your shop that carried out the IMSR complete the warranty registration process by sending in the old bearing? If so, then we can find that bearing in the data base, cross reference it to your IMSR serial number and go pull it.

KNS

Is JR blunt? Probably. I can't blame him for circling his wagons, the world is full of idiots (or in this case, idiot P car techs). There are plenty of veterans making the transition to M96/97 smoothly, I'm sure. But there is always the lowest common denominator to be dealt with. I don't think he needs to change his narrative to "easy reading" either.

Flat6 Innovations

The problem is the tech should have made the "transition" at least a decade ago. They didn't because engines were too cheap, then came the downfall in the economy and prices doubled in two months time.

Now they are so far behind by the time that they do decide to learn that it's not worth it to very many to take the risks to learn and apply themselves.

I see this because the guys in my classes are very vocal on this subject. Out of 600 people a year I'd probably hire 5 of them, a huge majority are just there because the boss paid for it and they'll get another certification to hang behind their toolbox.. I stopped issuing certificates for my hands on class, because I didn't want that breed to show up, waste my time and their boss' money.

garrett376

I'm one... I'm glad you post here online as that's how I heard about you. I have personally learned a lot from your information posted here and benefitted from your original IMS bearing replacement which I installed in my 03 daily driver, and when my 02 track car's engine blows I'll look to you guys for help... hopefully not for a long time, though!

Being a specialist is often tough, regardless the business/profession.

Flat6 Innovations

Thanks for the post. That said, you still haven't become our customer from these posts.. Again, I may have developed the retrofit that you have already applied but it's been 7 years since my work on that product was finished. I did that work for LN Engineering.

Hopefully you won't ever need us, but if you do bring up this post and I can state that Rennlist finally stimulated my business.:-)

Blrmkr

OK, after sitting on the sidelines I thought I would just jump in with my experience with Jake. I have an 02 C2 purchased last year with very low mileage. Well taken care of but the impression I got was that it wasn't driven much so IMSB was of some concern. Indy told me after the first of the year that the RMS was leaking so I began a search comparing all of the options. Decided that any technology that was good enough for the water cooled GT2, GT3 and Twin Turbo with no discussion of failures was probably a pretty good way to go. Decided on The IMS Solution. Also decided that I wanted the individual that invented it to do the work.

Prior to my car heading to GA I found a puddle of coolant underneath the car and found that the water pump was going. Prior to having it replaced I sent an email to Jake on a Sunday night asking if this could be backed out of the preventative package. Not only did I receive a quick answer back with yes, I then receive a personal phone call from Jake because he wanted to make certain that the plastic impeller blades were all intact and if they weren't, they had to be found. Impressive customer service and passion for his profession well before I am even a customer.

I have had the car back for a little over a month and received a professional package back with pictures and great technical information about the car. I also had a small question last night (Saturday) and sent an email expecting to hear back on Monday. Within 15 minutes I get a response and Jake has been assisting me with my question today (Sunday).

This my friends is off the charts customer service. I have always been treated in a courteous and professional manner. Of course I have also treated Jake and his staff the same way.

Bottom line is that I chose the person I wanted to have work on my 996 and I couldn't have made a better choice for me. There are many options available and it is a free country.

Flat6 Innovations

Jeff,
It is a free country... At least for now.

Thanks for the kind words and trust with your Porsche. You have been great to work with.

MiamiC70

I had my IMS installed by Porsche dealer. I guess I got lucky mine has not blown up yet. I mean Porsche what do those guys really know, probably don't have a certificate from Jake

TSMacNeil

I had a double-row LN installed by my Indy. We didn't know which bearing I had (1 or 2) until he got into it.
I requested a Single to Double row adapter if I had a single.
He steered me away from the adapter, saying the singles work fine.
(Pretty sure he didn't have a "Faultless" tool, and didn't want to charge me for one...hell, I could rent it out like a pony in a circus and make a few bucks...or put it in the next time capsule that goes to the moon )

Turns out I had the double row anyway. He'd be delighted to know what Jake thinks of him after 20+ years pulling on Porsches...and he knows nothing about Subarus.

This whole tool thing is ridiculous.

gahlmanwoa

I was just nervous because of it being reletively new.

DreamCarrera

HAHA Well, I’m not a rocket scientist(my friends and family will attest to that) but I certainly can identify an IMS bearing and I am also very confident that I could remove said bearings seal and identify whether or not the factory grease(or motor oil) is still present within the bearing. Get over yourself; you are not performing brain surgery.

Any time you would like to provide empirical evidence to substantiate your wild claim(s), I’m sure many of us 996 owners here would love to see it. Not to mention, I’d love for you to supply evidence for your many other wild claims posted here, which I have asked for, that you refuse to provide.

The ***** in your court, let’s see some real facts to back up your repeated doomsday claims posted to RL…all of us 996 owners will be here waiting with bated breath…