[Perfectlap]

I think what you're asking is can the old m96 OEM IMS bearing be swapped like an aftermarket IMS bearing? I don't see why it couldn't and many probably have done this for whatever reason. Most go with the LNE or less expensive Pelican replacement bearing for sure.

But given the lengths LNE and Flat6 went to in order to come up with this solution, including inventing a tool to extract the bearing (that's one thing to patent for sure), then I'm guessing such tools weren't readily available in the black market of Porsche tech tools. Which must mean the Porsche mechanics never bothered to pull out only the old bearings, must have always been part of the taking down the whole engine to do their hush hush thing.

It's really amazing when you think about it. I can't think of another instance where the aftermarket figured out something that allowed the customer to make a crucial engine modification without 1- pulling the engine 2- at a cost under $1K (if using the Pelican imsb). While the actual car maker sat back and said "IMS failure what IMS failure"?