Which is best: IMS by LN or a DOF? or cheapest?
#16
Drifting
I am also a new potential 996 owner and have wondered this very same question. I am not sold on the LN bearing if it is recommended to replace it every 50,000 or so miles. To me that is not a solution. I'd probably feel safe replacing with a stock bearing every 50,000 miles. And for those of us that don't track our cars I would not expect having to replace the clutch every 50k to facilitate an IMS bearing replacement.
My thoughts are that the stock bearing fails from galling leading to excess heat and eventually failure. How do you prevent galling? More lubrication than the factory sealed in grease bearing. Am I wrong when I watch the so called "bathed in oil" bearing in action spinning off the oil that is supposed to be providing lubrication? If the oil is flung away from the bearing under higher RPMs then we are just back to a design that provides less lubrication than the stock bearing. Sure, using a ceramic bearing can reduce the heat but, IMHO you have not solved the problem of proper lubrication reaching the bearings. My feelings are the only way to provide proper lubrication to the bearing is by a direct oil feed method. The challenge is separating the useful experience shared from mere opinions
I personally like the TuneRS Motorsports design.
My thoughts are that the stock bearing fails from galling leading to excess heat and eventually failure. How do you prevent galling? More lubrication than the factory sealed in grease bearing. Am I wrong when I watch the so called "bathed in oil" bearing in action spinning off the oil that is supposed to be providing lubrication? If the oil is flung away from the bearing under higher RPMs then we are just back to a design that provides less lubrication than the stock bearing. Sure, using a ceramic bearing can reduce the heat but, IMHO you have not solved the problem of proper lubrication reaching the bearings. My feelings are the only way to provide proper lubrication to the bearing is by a direct oil feed method. The challenge is separating the useful experience shared from mere opinions
I personally like the TuneRS Motorsports design.
I say this with both shame and regret because I fitted one before I knew the whole story.There is a lot to read/study on this subject There is far more that can be dismissed as uninformed opinion.I too was swayed by that.
#17
I am also a new potential 996 owner and have wondered this very same question. I am not sold on the LN bearing if it is recommended to replace it every 50,000 or so miles. To me that is not a solution. I'd probably feel safe replacing with a stock bearing every 50,000 miles. And for those of us that don't track our cars I would not expect having to replace the clutch every 50k to facilitate an IMS bearing replacement.
There are 2 types of IMS offerings from LN
1) IMS RETROFIT....a redesigned single or dual row bearing with ceramic ***** that is to be replaced every 75k miles or 6 years...whichever comes first. www.imsretrofit.com
2) the LN "IMS SOLUTION"....a permanently installed, oil fed, plain bearing that takes its oil from the oil pump via a line from an oil filter adaptor that is part of the kit. The adaptor allows you to use a standard spin on oil filter instead of the Porsche filter elements. www.theimssolution.com
Option 1 is significantly less expensive than option 2. Option 1 is what the PO put on mine just before I bought it, otherwise, i woudl have gone for option 2.
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spqa37 (05-02-2024)
#18
Sigh... Yeah, I usually spend 10min warming up the car at idle before I go anywhere. Still it's a short distance however and it wouldn't be every morning as I'm able to take a bus or the Aston. Please don't kill my dream and make me get a m3 or worse yet a miata. Surely, with some preventive maintenance .5qt sump extension with baffles and rms/ims fit it should be reliable for some driving, no?
#19
#20
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#21
Burning Brakes
I am also a new potential 996 owner and have wondered this very same question. I am not sold on the LN bearing if it is recommended to replace it every 50,000 or so miles. To me that is not a solution. I'd probably feel safe replacing with a stock bearing every 50,000 miles. And for those of us that don't track our cars I would not expect having to replace the clutch every 50k to facilitate an IMS bearing replacement.
My thoughts are that the stock bearing fails from galling leading to excess heat and eventually failure. How do you prevent galling? More lubrication than the factory sealed in grease bearing. Am I wrong when I watch the so called "bathed in oil" bearing in action spinning off the oil that is supposed to be providing lubrication? If the oil is flung away from the bearing under higher RPMs then we are just back to a design that provides less lubrication than the stock bearing. Sure, using a ceramic bearing can reduce the heat but, IMHO you have not solved the problem of proper lubrication reaching the bearings. My feelings are the only way to provide proper lubrication to the bearing is by a direct oil feed method.
I personally like the TuneRS Motorsports design.
My thoughts are that the stock bearing fails from galling leading to excess heat and eventually failure. How do you prevent galling? More lubrication than the factory sealed in grease bearing. Am I wrong when I watch the so called "bathed in oil" bearing in action spinning off the oil that is supposed to be providing lubrication? If the oil is flung away from the bearing under higher RPMs then we are just back to a design that provides less lubrication than the stock bearing. Sure, using a ceramic bearing can reduce the heat but, IMHO you have not solved the problem of proper lubrication reaching the bearings. My feelings are the only way to provide proper lubrication to the bearing is by a direct oil feed method.
I personally like the TuneRS Motorsports design.
I believe the LN ceramic bearing mileage limit is 75k miles or 5 years, whichever is soonest.
Porsche washed its hands of the m96/m97 so I'm just happy we have plenty of aftermarket choices in the various weak spots of these engines.
#22
#vibes
#23
Whew. Tough forum I guess. Sorry chaps. I'll just duck out. Thanks for the above replies all that helped with the original question. I'll probably lean towards going for the LN bearing it sounds like. Have a great day all. All the best.
#25
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Two shops recommended to me will only install the LN Pro. Both shops feared oil lines hanging below the car where a piece of road debris could knock it off. Unlikely but possible?
I ended up doing the LN Pro.
I ended up doing the LN Pro.
#27
That you are apparently willing to spend the extra money for the Solution, but they are trying to talk you out of it tells me that these are not shops to work with. They obviously are not certified and clearly don't know as much as they want you to believe about the bearing options.
Let us know where you are and there may be someone with knowledge of your area that can suggest a better shop to talk to.
#28
Administrator - "Tyson"
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I'm really just using this for short commuting (less than 5 miles)
M96 killer right there......
Sigh... Yeah, I usually spend 10min warming up the car at idle before I go anywhere. Still it's a short distance however and it wouldn't be every morning as I'm able to take a bus or the Aston. Please don't kill my dream and make me get a m3 or worse yet a miata. Surely, with some preventive maintenance .5qt sump extension with baffles and rms/ims fit it should be reliable for some driving, no?
Have you ever taken an oil cap off and see what looks like peanut butter? The biggest culprit is oil that never or rarely reaches operating temps. This can and will effect every car, not just the 996.
If I were shopping a car and found out the owner regularly took it on short trips like this, I would run away regardless of all other factors.
The "buy a Prius" comment is spot on, you need an expendable car for such jaunts, something electric is ideal. Save the 911 for track days or trips where you can and will get everything properly warmed up (we haven't even talked about the trans fluid yet).
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Sajan (02-02-2024)
#29
Do like I did, get a '99 with solid service records and have a thorough PPI. Don't worry about IMS failure and drive the car. You'll be fine. And, as you have noticed, this is a snarky forum. Don't take it personally.
#30
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