idlook2

I have a 2005 C2S with a M97 engine and had my IMSB replaced with the LN engineering bearing. The original bearing that was removed was in great shape.

onewhippedpuppy

It was my understanding that every M97 had the newer style bearing, maybe I'm incorrect. The M97 isn't just a 3.8 though, as the later base 997 and 987 use an M97 as well. Just as the M96 was used in a wide variety of 986/996 displacements. It's the engine designation and not necessarily related to displacement or HP.

Hunt3R

Thanks for confirming another M97 IMS replacement, idlook2.

Hey Matt, even though we all commonly refer to the 997 engine as the M97 (after the early 05 switch) I believe that the actual engine code for all base 997's with a 3.6 is M96.05 while the Carrera S 3.8l is M97.01. So technically, only the 3.8 is an M97 engine.

Here's an older thread discussing this engine number confusion with a link to a PDF of all Porsche engine codes ever:
https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...ight-dope.html

mgordon18

Whipped,

Your info is incorrect. M97 denotes 3.8 S engines and M96 are 3.6 base engines. Up to early 05, both M97 engines and M96 engines were being built with the old-style, replaceable bearings. After early 05 both engines were built with new style, non-replaceable bearings.

The confusion occurs because the new bearings have been referred to as M97 bearings in past threads. But even with this designation, you will not find an M97 engine in a base car. However, you might find "M97" IMS bearings in a base car. Clear as mud.

If you can find me a 3.6L car with an M97 engine, I'll buy you dinner someplace nice... like Mendy's.

- Mike

soltino

No soup for you.

tino

Sirenty

It interests me. I've been looking for a clean, local 997S for a couple months. I'll PM you.

sandwedge

-05 C2S launch car with tip? Never heard of it.

onewhippedpuppy

In the words of Lee Corso - not so fast my friends. There a LOT of web sources such as other RL posts, PCA tech articles, and Wikipedia that cover the use of the M97 engine in a number of different displacements and HP ratings. But to further muddy the water, there are posts of early 997S owners that have engines with M96 codes on them. There are a number of sources that corroborate the switch from the M96 to M97 sometime late in 2005, though I had a 2005 997 with the engine replaced in mid-2005 that had an M96 serial number. Just for curiosity I'm going to check the SN of the 987S that I have in my shop on Friday. It would be interesting to have a few other interested parties do the same.

It seems that if you have a 2005 or 2006 model year, the only certainty is in the engine serial number. But based on many information sources, all 987/997 engines were eventually an M97, not just the 3.8.

Actually, that pdf shows M97 engines with displacements of 2.7 - 3.8L installed in a variety of 987/997 starting in 2005 (page 10). So it reinforces my earlier post, the 3.8 is not the only M97. Interesting the M96 data on page 9 showing it being installed through 2008 on base model 997s, because I've never heard of a late 997 with an M97. It would be very interesting to have some late 997.1 owners check their engine serial numbers.

vector99

I have heard of them in other forum posts. If I remember correctly you get different seats in the Tip launch edition.

Para82

It's the second time i've heard someone with a tiptronic launch edition.... I wasn't aware the LE came in auto either....

Para82

I personally don't know, but I can ask my local Porsche dealership next week and see if they can look that up...

2600 for a 5 year warranty....icing on the cake. Can I give someone 2600 for a 5 year?

mgordon18

Show me a thread that says this and I'll debunk it. A lot of people have been confused by this in the past and have given incorrect information. I'll happily stand corrected, but I'll need some proof.

We're talking only about the 997 here. The 987 codes are of no concern to me.
The PDF you're referencing is actually used as proof that in the 997 base and S versions, the M96 engine is only used in the base 3.6 cars and the M97 is only used in the S 3.8 cars. That's what we're talking about here.

As I said before: show me a base 997 with an M97 engine in it and I'll buy you dinner at Mendy's. Similarly, show me an S with an M96...

The upgraded bearings have been discussed as "M97" bearings. I'm not a big fan of this demarcation because I think it's confusing, but that's not my decision. Check out this thread. Post #23 is a good place to start.

onewhippedpuppy

Seems that we are talking past each other here. I thought your previous statement was that M97s were only a 3.8, as opposed to 997 specific.

So what is the actual physical difference between a late M96 and M97?

mgordon18

Hmmm. Not sure. All I'm saying is that for the 2005-2008 997, base models are M96 and S models are M97. Both were produced concurrently and both had the more breakable (and replaceable) bearings up until early 2005. After that, both engines received the upgrade to the "M97" bearings (even though these new bearings were in the M96 engines for the base cars and the early M97 engines did not have the upgrade, but they're still called M97 bearings!).

You will not find a 997S with an M96 engine in it, and you will not find a 997 base with an M97 engine in it.

Sorry if I wasn't clear before...

I'm no mechanic, so I'm not 100% sure. Back in post #23 of the above referenced thread it's noted that the M96 and M97 engines are very very similar, save for the cylinder boring and other more minor differences.

tlisotta

So this is an intersting conversation bc I have looked at a 2005 997 and wondering if the IMS can be easily be changed. Is it true it has to be the earlier years (2005) in order for it to be changed easily? If so I am wondering how you would know before I buy the car. Would a PPI be able to tell or not?