This is a terminology issue. I've had this conversation with Jake in an earlier thread (a few years ago).

The new bearings themselves are called M97 bearings - even when they are installed in the M96 engines.

BTW - M96 engines are the 3.6L engines found in the base cars from 2005 - 2008. M97 engines are the 3.8L engines found in the S cars from 2005 - 2008. That is, the M97 did not come "after" the M96. They were produced concurrently and only denote the engine size, not technological advances.

 

+1


After Sales Training Guide lists-

early 2005 M96.03 (3.6 L) and M97.01 (3.8 L)
late 2005 M96.05 (3.6 L) and M97.01 (3.8 L)
2006 M96.05 (3.6 L) and M97.01 (3.8 L)
2007 M96.05 (3.6 L) and M97.01 (3.8 L)

I think the understanding is that all M96.05 and M97.01 engines have the larger 6305 IMSB single row bearing. I think the complication is that some early M95.05 engines may have the smaller 6204 IMSB, while all versions of the M97.01 engines had the large bearing, no matter when they were built.

The M96.03 engines in the 2002 (996) to early 2005 (997) cars have the single row 6204 IMSB.

 

MGordon18 - Got it- Thanks for the clarification.

 

Based on this, you're saying that all 2005 S cars with the 3.8L engine received the larger bearing? That's the first time I've heard that. I have 2 2005 3.8 cars and both do have the larger bearing, which has been confirmed by any transmission off visual inspection and both VIN #s were excluded from the class in the IMS lawsuit when the website with the VIN check was active.

 

When are people going to stop using dates and VINs to determine if a 2005 MY car has a certain bearing? I guess they never will.

The facts are the reference materials are proven wrong all the time. The ONLY way to determine what IMSB that ANY 2005 MY 997 has, is through a visual inspection of the IMSB flange.

 

Thanks Jake. That was also my understanding which is why I went to the expense of having the transmissions pulled during my PPIs.

 

Jake, you are saying that you have seen / replaced early 3.8 M97.01 engine (2005) small single row IMSBs ?

Here is a statement you made about this at one time-

https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...ml#post7216596

 

Hell yes, all the time. As we see more and more of the 05-08 generation cars we see them more and more. Again, VISUAL INSPECTION REQUIRED.

Believe NOTHING that you hear, or read on this topic.