Looked under there, and there's no way I'm going to try to separate that thing. Thank you, Monty.

Got the exhaust out today. all in one piece. Those last two bolts... that attach to the muffler (center of picture)... yeah... that was no "Burner" job. I had to remove the rear bumper cover and still use two sockets to remove those last two bolts/nuts.

The six nuts holding on the exhaust to the exhaust manifold... some penetrant and they backed right out.

That muffler is a tank.

Since the mechanic will have to remove the axle I'll see if he can take care of the torn in half boot.

Any other "while you're in there" tasks I should attend to?

Thank you, guys! :cheers:

Attachment 22684

Just got off the phone with the indie highly I am considering.

$1200 to R&R and diagnose the transmission. Parts extra, and likely some labor installing seal(s).

Will inspect RMS and advise from there.

Recommending the IMS... LN Engineering, non-oil fed. ~$800 for the part... couple hours install... budget another ~$1200.

It's the IMS. The 'while we're in there' makes sense... but is it a wise purchase? Opinion?

The car will be going to this shop... I'm on the fence about the IMS (a$ will be my wife, lol).

Thank you. :cheers:

While you are in there, just replace the IMS bearing. If nothing else, it'll make the car easier to sell, and give you peace of mind. It's common sense.

Call Adam at Vollig Autoworks. He is just off miramar road in San Diego
VÖLLIG AUTOWERKS | Porsche Specialist – San Diego, CA

He is about as honest as you can find

Although it may be a bit far from you, I forgot you are in the desert

Regarding the IMS, if I were in your situation I'd go this route:
Sourcing Your Own Porsche IMS Bearing

If the OEM NSK bearing held out this long, I can't see spending 16x as much for a non-OEM part. Just my opinion.

Good luck.

If the goal is 'no IMS worries' and confidence that it will last, I would not source my own bearing. A couple other issues with sourcing your own are that the shop will probably not want to install it and the original center bolt will be compromised after removal.

You can buy the Pelican Parts IMS kit if you want to be cheap. You can even buy it just to get an improved center bolt.
If I was paying a shop to do the transmission repair, I'd go ahead and have them install the LN dual row bearing. Also I'd do the coolant tank if it hasn't been done already.

That said, I was just playing with a 2.5L engine with over 180,000 miles on it and after looking at the bearing I decided to pull the outer seal and leave it alone. At this point the IMS bearing is only one of many things likely to fail and I'd rather replace the engine than rebuild it.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...53c97d72_c.jpg

Racer... I won't be selling it. One day one of the kids will get it. THus, I'm not worried about the selling value for I've a stupid amount of money into it already that never I'll see. Pleasure stuff.

Jay... I wish I were in San Diego... or closer to that stretch of 5 from, say, CDL south. If I had been proactive I'd renew my AAA coverage and the 200 miles tow. That would really open up my indie choices. Absent that coverage I'll be in $600 in towing.

Pipe... yeah. No IMS for me.

78... a new IMS would put me further away from Bypro's engine. ;)

Tonight I have the "budget" talk with the wife (No "Frightened" emoji available). Fortunately the last few days found me some new business... so the hit shouldn't be so bad. I'll budget ~$2K. Likely Monday it'll go to the shop.

Have a great day, all! :cheers:

Starter, if you have a friend with a pickup truck, you can rent a u-haul dolly for 24hrs for about $50..