Hey all,

About to pull the trigger on a 2006 Carrera S, wanted some input on engine build number with respect to IMS.

997 104 121 3R 3 8 1

M97
AS06

VIN: WP0AB29966S740418

These are the only numbers I was able to pull from the picture the mechanic took while performing PPI. Can anything be learned from these numbers? I am looking to verify if this car has the smaller serviceable IMS bearing or the larger (non-serviceable) IMS bearing from the 2006 and later cars.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance!

 

All 06s are the larger bearing.

 

^^^ from my understanding they changed the bearing mid 2005 models, so ALL 06 and up should have the larger bearing. If you are like me, I still googled the serial numbers to be sure but my serial number was way into the larger bearing production numbers even though my build date was in 10/2005 on my 06 C2S.

 

This

 

In one of the Jake Raby IMS videos (the one for the PCA I think) he said he's never seen a 2006 with the small bearing. Looks pretty certain all MY2006 cars have the big bearing regardless of build date.

 

My understanding too. I think they started installing the larger bearing in mid to late -05 cars so there should be no doubt about what's in any -06.

 

Correct. My February '05 build C2S has the larger bearing - verified by a Porsche dealer.

 

+1 Same with my build date of Dec 1st 2004. Actually, the shop that sold me the car was certain it had the smaller bearing, so they opened it up to replace it only to find that it already had the larger bearing... So they just did the direct oil feed.

 

Throw away all the engine and VIN number references, and perform a visual inspection of the bearing flange using a bore scope.
These references cannot be trusted, to put it lightly.

 

Jake, do you have an animation or video that shows how to snake (and entry point) the no-more-than-5mm-dia boroscope for a 997.1 MT?

 

Seems to be good advice for any 2005 997. No reliable data available. Would you agree that any 2006 through 2008 997 are certain to have the larger bearing though?

 

can somebody please explain. Dear jake. Would love to retrofit my car with your solution but need to be sure first. Have 997 m96 motor. 2005. I need to inspect this via a borescope and you told in one of your videos about an option.

 

Is this sensor (red arrow) when pulled an entrance for a endoscope to identify the IMS flange and so the version? Small vs. Large ?

 

I think I am on something. That’s the crank shaft sensor. Easy to remove. There you can put the probe endoscope in there and bring it down to the IMS flange I believe.

 

I think you are too. Let us know any tips and tricks, and your results, if you try out the endoscoping through this sensor hole. The nut size endoscope-viewed perceived difference (13 v. 22) should help you determine the IMSB type without having to actually measure the nut.