IMS Replacement Survey
 

I'm curious I know how many members have actually had the IMS retro-fit performed on their vehicle, and what was the cost of the service (including clutch replacement and other repairs) ?

I had mine done in '09. Cost would have been about $1800 for just the bearing. The clutch had alot of friction surface left so I didn't replace it. The factory bearing had oil in it, but was still in good shape, very tight and no grittyness.

Always a bit more than expected...
 

I had an LN double row bearing installed last July. While they were in there, the clutch throwout bearing and RMS were also replaced. My car had a new clutch (unexpected surprise, thanks PO), and the flywheel was good.

Udo had only seen 76,000 km at that point. I had oil & a filter on hand, so that wasn't part of the cost. The bill came to a just over $1800 CAD.

The IMS bearing was loose, leaking oil and metal shavings, and the oil filter had a good amount of metal bits in it as well. My indie figured that it was on its way out and would have failed sooner rather than later.

Props to Mike & Dave at German AutoTech in Waterloo, ON for their help. When I got my car back, the clock display backlight also worked; that was something that bothered me for when I bought it two months before.

Johnny D - Not sure if you saw my thread: http://986forum.com/forums/performance-technical-chat/31883-advice-my-winter-project.html

My double row on my 2000 'S' with 57k miles was perfect. About 10oz of oil in shaft and the bearing when I took it apart was full of clean oil.

Here are my final numbers:

Here is the list of both parts and tools I purchased. I get reduced price on Porsche parts so it was a helpful in keeping cost down. I had wanted a lot of tools so purchased freely what I might need for the project. I know there are other rookies out there like me that are thinking about doing a similar project, this will give you an idea if it is worth it or not. You'll notice the big cost was the IMS bearing. The rest wasn't too bad. Notice too oil isn't listed, I had some already. I guess the oil could be captured and reused if you have low miles on it.

Flywheel Seal (RMS) - Genuine Porsche 11.22
Oil Separator (AOS) - Genuine Porsche 87.27
Underbody Lining - Genuine Porsche 88.91
Oil Separator Hose Clamp - Genuine Porsche 0.91
Tax 13.65

Camshaft End Plug (3 needed) 23.10
Oil Filler Hose - Genuine Porsche 28.72
Retaining Spring for Clutch Release Lever - Genuine Porsche 0.51
Pivot Piece for Clutch Release Lever - Genuine Porsche 1.19
Tax 3.88

Clutch Slave Cylinder - Sachs 54.50
ATE Super Blue (Clutch) 15.00
Oil Drain Plug 5.00
Drain Plug Seal 0.25
Clutch Alignment Tool 8.85
Shipping 3.45

IMS LN Engineering 619.00
IMS Puller Kit LN Engineering 189.00
Shipping 17.50

Clutch Kit - Sachs 332.95

Total - $1504.86

Tools

PVC (for RMS install) 1.96
Torx Drive T55 (Flywheel) 6.40

3/8" Drive Extension Set 14.97
1/2" Breaker Bar 19.97
1/2" Drive Extennsion Set 19.97
Tax 3.98

Clamps 4.02

Sealant 5.65

Transmission Adapter 49.99
12 Point Bit Set 3.99
3/8" Universal Joint 6.99
Work light 8.99
Tax 5.07

1/2" Drive 15.97
3/8" Drive Flex Head 59.97
Tax 5.51

Lithium Grease 3.49
Liquid Wrench 3.49
Tax 0.51

Jack stands 6 ton 24inch height 90.00

Total - $330.89

I did mine almost 2 years back. Sold the car since (with records) but from recollection:

LN IMS Bearing and R & R Tools (pre-cam lock tools) $600
Sachs Clutch Kit w/ TO Bearing, PP and Disc $330
Misc Tools / Bits $50
Jack Stands / Trans Adapter for Jack $90
RMS and Misc Parts / Sealers $100

Total $1070 doing it myself.

which shop?

Im doing mine next month and have been quoted $2100 for parts and labor for just the LN bearing and a new AOS while they are digging around from Chris's German in Bellevue.

I consider myself a pretty savvy DIY'er but I lack the facilities to drop the tranny in my garage unfortunately.

I just had it done this week on a 99 tip with 16K (low miles I know!). The original bearing had oil in it but was otherwise in good shape. Mechanic said it was very tight. Spent $1,800 with parts included from LN Engineering. A lot of money to be sure but something to be said about peace of mind.

I was living in Fort Collins, Co at the time. Have German Autowerke give you a quote. It's far for you, but Edmonds shops might give better rates.

I have not done it yet but plan to have the LN Single Row retrofit completed by March. Still waiting on my mechanic to give me an estimate. Other option is the Porsche dealer if they will install a part I supply.

I installed the LN IMS when I replaced my 01's motor, ordered it and the tools from Wayne, very easy install.

Replacement 5spd from a dismantler, serviceable DMFW from dismantler, LN IMS bearing, RMS seal, Sachs clutch & pressure plate assy, water pump, LN T-Stat, 3 idler pulleys, E-Brake rebuild, fresh coolant, fresh coolant hoses... about $4300 total. Ouch!

Probably close to normal maintenance on a car with 98k miles and 60+ track days though. This was the first serious maintenance done in 6 years of ownership.

I did mine a year ago at 60k miles, $2,200 inc labor for LN IMS, Sachs clutch and AAsco lwfw.

Thought mine was gone this summer, so had it replaced at just over $2k.
Turns out it was fine, but now I sleep better at night.
Clutch was fine @ 29,000 miles.

I was just quoted $600 for the LN Engineering replacement and just under $900 In labor from a well known Porsche specialist. I've tried to read every post and thread I can on the subject and in the end it comes down to personal risk aversion. As some have stated, the peace of mind alone may be worth the dollars invested. I plan to own my Boxster for many years, so I'll likely have the upgraded IMS installed this spring.

I've got the first or one of the first 3 row bearings before there was an IMSR.

My IMS is pictured on their website.

Mike

Looking at some of the costs or quotes you guys are getting I would say those are good prices. For someone like me that had to buy stuff and the kit to put it in you can see my prices got up there with having someone else do it. I did do other stuff, but anything under $2200 including a clutch seems reasonable.

what was the condition of the IMS bearing?

Funny story on mine. Bought my 02 S in Nov of 2010 with a known bad clutch. Towed it home and had a shop do the work for me, or so I thought. Clutch was definitely replaced with new, also flywheel. Purchased an LN bearing too, and requested it be installed at the same time, turns out it wasn't installed. Found out later when my rod bearing went south on tear down. Huh, no LN bearing, WTF!:barf:

Turns out it was fine with 137K on it. Now installed in engine. The shop I paid refunded my additional labor, and found the LN bearing "laying around". The so-called tech had since moved on. Still looking to run into him, it's a small town here.
:dance:

Ln kit $575, Clutch & Flywheel $750, $700 in labor.

First drive on rebuilt engine last night. Very happy now. :cheers:

The IMS was in very good condition with both seals intact, no noise or bearing play at all. With 98K it was definitely not new but not going down the tubes anytime soon.

I did mine in my garage while replacing my clutch. My cost was $759. it took me three evenings to replace the clutch PP Flywheel and IMS. Actual time on the IMS was only an hour and a half, with tool kit from LN. My bearing click lightly when it was spun the seals were intact but it had been leaking because some one had put a ton of silicon around it.