Hi all.

I just picked up a 2006 Carrera S with a manual (of course) and it turns out my first gear is bad, either chipped or cracked based on the clackity noise in first gear and the metal in the gear oil when I had it drained.

Anyway, while the transmission is out and being rebuilt along with a wavetrac LSD install (by BMCG-Gearbox), would you recommend that I do an IMS upgrade? I was surprised to find the cost of $800 for the parts from LN and Tuners Motorsports DOF system. Car has 82K miles and will see weekend and track usage, though not a dedicated track car. Are either of these systems preferable over the other?

First hand experience appreciated, but all input welcomed.

Thanks,
Jason

 

The engine will most likely need to be dropped in order to upgrade the IMS since it is likely you have a big single row bearing.

Not so with the DOF, I believe.

 

Clutch? Your in there?
Seems like peace of mind to me.

 

It's newer and will get replaced if it's worn.

 

wait, my understanding was that most 2006s had the larger bearing that could not be replaced without engine disassembly?

 

As I understand it they now are machining off the lip on the 06+ engine case and that allows removal of the bearing and installation of the ln or dof setup.

 

Interesting. I'm inclined to leave it alone if it's not broken. Sounds like major surgery that I don't necessarily need but may consider doing "while we're in there". I'm just starting to learn about this stuff and I appreciate all of the input.

 

If you want to do something to it, LN Engineering and FSI suggest pulling off the grease seal on the bearing so that the engine oil will lubricate the bearing.

 

I would do it just for piece of mind and in case you sell in the future.

 

Correct. FYI: The larger bearing is rated for higher radial loads but failures have been reported by LN and Raby.

 

You have a 2006 you don't need to worry about IMS. Early editions 2005 have the weak IMS (but can be easily upgraded to LN Engineerings ceramic bearing).

Get your trans fixed and drive it.

 

Leave the IMS bearing alone. Your model has the last version with a failure rate of only 1% or less.

 

That 1% statistic provides little comfort to the 997.1 owner with a failed IMSB. With the transmission out of the way spend a couple hours in labor to have the rear IMSB seal pulled. Why would you not?

 

Yes, but his IMSB has not failed, so <1% should be a pretty good comfort, actually.

Has pulling the seal shown itself to be beneficial, statistically, or is it only conjecture? I'd just as soon not fix something that isn't broken and only has a <1% chance of breaking.

A couple hours in labor might cost two or three hundred dollars. If I said to you, "Give me $250 and pick a number between 1 and 100. Then I'll pull a number out of a hat. If it's your number, I'll give you $25,000," you'd tell me to go jump off a bridge!

 

failures yes, but from what i read or have searched even on the forums it is very very very rare. it is nowhere near the realm as with the weaker earlier ims bearing design.