Swapping engines

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by LoneWolfGal

Wish you were here, because the IMS Solution's installation instructions made my hair stand on end. For example, by drilling and sawing, "cut a notch in the crank case for the pressurized oil line that feeds the IMS Solution." Yikes!

It really isn't all that bad; you need to set the Solution flange loosely in place, mark the line fitting location with a marker on the bellhousing flange, then using a couple of increasing drill sizes, drill out where the fitting will sit, then use a metal saw to saw into the final hole you drilled out. A little bit of filing to break all the sharp edges from the drill and cutting and presto, a perfect slot for the flange's fittling to drop into, the slot being a little large is fine. Only takes a few min. to do.

[LoneWolfGal]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

It really isn't all that bad; you need to set the Solution flange loosely in place, mark the line fitting location with a marker on the bellhousing flange, then using a couple of increasing drill sizes, drill out where the fitting will sit, then use a metal saw to saw into the final hole you drilled out. A little bit of filing to break all the sharp edges from the drill and cutting and presto, a perfect slot for the flange's fittling to drop into, the slot being a little large is fine. Only takes a few min. to do.

JFP, I ran across this alternative by European Parts Solution that EPS says "will last the lifetime of the engine":

https://www.europeanpartssolution.com/ims-bearing-upgrade-kit

Also available at Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Porsche-Intermediate-Permanent-Retrofit-Pressurized/dp/B00H8XH9ZQ

Like LN's IMS Solution, it's supposedly a permanent fix. According to EPS: "The bearing is completely submerged in oil thus not requiring the Pressurized Oil Feed Mod." A slotted shaft in the oil pump provides constant oil feed to the bearing.

At $679 it costs significantly less than the IMS Solution.

What's your take?

[Gilles]

I believe that EPS is a Miami based company and have a sister company that sells M97 rebuilt engines, and also offer their service to rebuilt your engine.

One time on a business trip, I had a morning to kill so I stopped by their shop, and saw the way they they were assembling (several) M97 engines on various stages of completion, and left with a very disappointed impression, as the building across the street (literally) was under construction, creating a lot of dust and guess what, the engine shop was assembling M97 engines on top of open tables on the patio (outside..), remember running a finger on a crank journal feeling the dirt on the oily surface.. I believe that the same people also designed a tool to remove the non-serviceable IMS bearing on the 987 engines (by drilling the case with a circular saw) without disassembling the engine..

I am not biased, but had the opportunity to attend the Flat6Innovations M97 engine assembly class and the first thing you notice is their cleanliness and organization that they implemented on their process, yes, it was that impressive.

[LoneWolfGal]

You know I love tools, but coughing up $250+ for an IMS bearing extraction and replacement tool makes me wince. As much as those bearings cost, you'd think it would include the extractor. There oughta be a law!

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by LoneWolfGal

You know I love tools, but coughing up $250+ for an IMS bearing extraction and replacement tool makes me wince. As much as those bearings cost, you'd think it would include the extractor. There oughta be a law!

LN Engineering does have a rental program for the tools.

[elgyqc]

Originally Posted by LoneWolfGal

You know I love tools, but coughing up $250+ for an IMS bearing extraction and replacement tool makes me wince. As much as those bearings cost, you'd think it would include the extractor. There oughta be a law!

I followed Ben Burners example and built my own...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJ5WwbgQejs&list=PLiya6G1pHhIYyzhlVzS_LwoIovrlv6_lv&index=18
and my experience is here
https://986forum.com/forums/performance-technical-chat/81929-my-ims-bearing-replacement-thread.html

[LoneWolfGal]

Originally Posted by elgyqc

I followed Ben Burners example and built my own...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJ5WwbgQejs&list=PLiya6G1pHhIYyzhlVzS_LwoIovrlv6_lv&index=18
and my experience is here
https://986forum.com/forums/performance-technical-chat/81929-my-ims-bearing-replacement-thread.html

Grant, I admire the way you improvise things. Respect.

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by LoneWolfGal

You know I love tools, but coughing up $250+ for an IMS bearing extraction and replacement tool makes me wince. As much as those bearings cost, you'd think it would include the extractor. There oughta be a law!

I sent you a PM

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by LoneWolfGal

JFP, I ran across this alternative by European Parts Solution that EPS says "will last the lifetime of the engine":

https://www.europeanpartssolution.com/ims-bearing-upgrade-kit

Also available at Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Porsche-Intermediate-Permanent-Retrofit-Pressurized/dp/B00H8XH9ZQ

Like LN's IMS Solution, it's supposedly a permanent fix. According to EPS: "The bearing is completely submerged in oil thus not requiring the Pressurized Oil Feed Mod." A slotted shaft in the oil pump provides constant oil feed to the bearing.

At $679 it costs significantly less than the IMS Solution.

What's your take?

I have never been a fan of IMS roller bearings. Contrary to what they advertise, they are not stronger than the ball bearing design, and by far one of the biggest problems in bearing failures is heat buildup, and roller bearings get much hotter than ball bearings. I also cringe at how they want to get oil to the bearings............

[mikefocke]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

I have never been a fan of IMS roller bearings. Contrary to what they advertise, they are not stronger than the ball bearing design, and by far one of the biggest problems in bearing failures is heat buildup, and roller bearings get much hotter than ball bearings. I also cringe at how they want to get oil to the bearings............

Didn't Raby do a roller bearing which was supposed to address the perceived faults of the other common roller bearing IMS? Its write-up of it's advertised benefits might give insight into the possible shortcomings of other offerings.

https://lnengineering.com/products/the-definitive-guide-and-faq-for-porsche-ims-bearings/cylindrical-roller-bearing-ims-retrofit-kits.html

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by mikefocke

Didn't Raby do a roller bearing which was supposed to address the perceived faults of the other common roller bearing IMS? Its write-up of it's advertised benefits might give insight into the possible shortcomings of other offerings.

https://lnengineering.com/products/the-definitive-guide-and-faq-for-porsche-ims-bearings/cylindrical-roller-bearing-ims-retrofit-kits.html

Mike, I didn't know LN offered a roller bearing kit, and after reading from your link I came across a stunning admission/contradiction: "Unlike other commercially available cylindrical roller bearing IMS kits, the RND RS Roller does not require any oil system modifications, so there is no risk of ... oiling efficiency due to pressure losses."

Doesn't the "IMS Solution" require an oil system modification? Things that make you go "hmm."

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by piper6909

Mike, I didn't know LN offered a roller bearing kit, and after reading from your link I came across a stunning admission/contradiction: "Unlike other commercially available cylindrical roller bearing IMS kits, the RND RS Roller does not require any oil system modifications, so there is no risk of ... oiling efficiency due to pressure losses."

Doesn't the "IMS Solution" require an oil system modification? Things that make you go "hmm."

Yes, it does, in the form of a spin on oil filter adaptor that controls the amount of oil going to actual Solution bearing. Having run these retrofits for years, I can clearly attest that there is no observable oiling pressure or efficiency problems with the Solution, it simply works as designed; most of the other retrofit "oiling systems" just tap into an existing oil passage and let the oil flow at whatever rate is there rather than trying to control how much is used.

[LoneWolfGal]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

I have never been a fan of IMS roller bearings. Contrary to what they advertise, they are not stronger than the ball bearing design, and by far one of the biggest problems in bearing failures is heat buildup, and roller bearings get much hotter than ball bearings. I also cringe at how they want to get oil to the bearings............

That makes sense. What's your verdict on Pedro's "technoFIX DOF" implementation of direct oil feed for the bearing?

https://pedrosgarage.com/site-2/technofix-dof.html

One end of the technoFIX's oil feed line connects to the IMS flange like LN's, but its not clear what the other end connects to — an oil filter adapter like LN's or something else?

The technoFIX DOF is less than half the cost of LN's IMS Solution, and I don't mind telling you, I like that about it.