While the procedure to fit this bearing into an assembled engine while in the car is still relatively new, the bearing and its application to the M96 is not. This bearing was first used in our IMS updates that have at least two more years of service than the retrofit procedure. NONE have failed.
A couple of months ago I had a rash of people that had reservations about the retrofit, because it hadn't been around for 10 years. In fact two of these people were members of their local Porsche drivers club and both were considering the procedure but weren't happy because we could not whisper things in their ears that they wanted to hear.
In a matter of 6 weeks both of those people suffered an IMS bearing failure, costing them about 16K each. After they experienced the failure one of them called me to apologize for his reservation and thanked Charles and I for developing the bearing and procedure.
What we have brought to the table is more than the bearing, its the ability to EASILY change the bearing that Porsche says is not serviceable at all. After the retrofit is carried out the first time it can be carried out much easier in the future with the same tools that were used the first time. Even if the life of the bearing was only 25K (just a wild number!) the cost of doing the swap would still be less than changing a timing belt on a Honda or Toyota.
I have personally pout 40K on my personal cars equipped with the retrofit bearing, that includes the very first bearing that was ever successfully retrofitted. We practice what we preach.
Anyone who has ever experienced silicon nitride ceramic composites in automotive, aerospace or medical device applications would understand why the material this bearing is comprised of is virtually indestructible. It is used in Shuttle components, turbine engines and even body armor.
Follow this link to the company of one of my clients who is scheduled to have his retrofit carried out in a couple of months.
www.amedicacorp.com
Make sure you view the company overview video on the home page.
As soon as he heard of the retrofit and read about the material it is comprised of, he immediately called to schedule a procedure. He develops and tests medical devices including artificial vertebrae and joints that are comprised of the exact same material that the retrofit bearing utilizes.
I first used silicon nitride in an automotive engine in 1999, then no one had heard of it. The parts I installed then are still in service today, they have completed 8 Baja 1000 races and still have not needed replacement-