IMS Guardian Pre-order

[Bobiam]

My 3 yr aftermarket warranty is just about done with no claims (that's great), and it cost me around $1400. This Jake device is a much cheaper investment.

HOWEVER, my concern is false alarm. If the thing records a failure being imminent, we stop the car and tow it to safety. Then we are committed to an expensive repair. All well and good the Jake device worked as intended. But if it was a false alarm, then we're out big bucks for an IMS bearing replacement plus $400. What to do? What to do?

[jaykay]

Jake,

Just saw the teaser. Very slick and seamless system integration with the car's interior. I am impressed. The press to test feature really gives you away as an ex aircraft maint. engineer. Reminds me of fire suppression squib tests on certain older jets before lighting the APU.

Cool stuff!

[Overdrive]

Ok Jake, let me make sure I didn't misunderstand your post. So this device goes beyond simply monitoring what would bring about an IMS retrofit or replacement, and actually monitors other potential engine failure points? In the specific case you last mentioned, were you saying that the rod failed because of the IMS, or that the IMS failed because of the rod? Either way, you're saying the warning given by the IMS Guardian would have occured early enough to minimize the damage and possibly save the engine, yes?

BTW, I'm all for press-to-test being an aircraft maintainer, I wish cars had them, especially with all the different forms of monitoring that modern cars now have for various systems and components.

[dogsivew]

Jake,

I'm a DYI kind of guy for lots of projects but how easy on a scale of 1 to 10 is this install?

TIA

[tommy986]

Originally Posted by silverboxster101

People...This guy (Jake Raby) is a snake oil salesman. When will you all learn this!!!

We all know that, but he also offers other great products too.

[Frodo]

Even better! A self-proclaimed snake oil salesman! Can't say he doesn't lay his cards on the table!

[Jake Raby]

Originally Posted by silverboxster101

People...This guy (Jake Raby) is a snake oil salesman. When will you all learn this!!!

Yes, Snake Oil is one of my brand names.. In fact I am wearing my Snake oil T shirt today!
Do some searches on who I am and the company I have built from scratch and you will see that honesty, integrity and effectiveness are what my name brings to the table. The IMS Guardian is no different.

I'm a DYI kind of guy for lots of projects but how easy on a scale of 1 to 10 is this install?

Its a 2 on that scale.. Just because you have to route the wiring under the carpet, otherwise it would be a '1'.

Just saw the teaser. Very slick and seamless system integration with the car's interior. I am impressed.

There is a reason why it has taken 3 years to get this completed.. Creating the seamless installation was a challenge and that coupled to the press to test feature accounts for a chunk of the manufacturing cost of the system.

My 3 yr aftermarket warranty is just about done with no claims (that's great), and it cost me around $1400. This Jake device is a much cheaper investment.

AND since this system is seamless and non-invasive it should not compromise your aftermarket warranty. An IMSR procedure will void a Porsche or aftermarket warranty. When the technology is released those with warranties need to double check their paperwork.

HOWEVER, my concern is false alarm. If the thing records a failure being imminent, we stop the car and tow it to safety.

This is the reason that the smart purchaser opts for the IMS Alert Hotline at the time of purchase. With this someone can call from the side of the road and they will be asked a series of questions to include many aspects of the engine and symptoms. Based on this feedback an M96 Engine Specialist can recommend to them what the course of action should be.

Even without the Hotline Email and forum support will be available to assist those who have received an IMS Alert and need to know the next steps.

Then we are committed to an expensive repair. All well and good the Jake device worked as intended. But if it was a false alarm, then we're out big bucks for an IMS bearing replacement plus $400. What to do? What to do

If the system gives an IMS Alert and the push to test procedure is carried out while the alarm is sounding the red light will go out and the audible alarm will stop. This means that the occurrence is "real" and you do have something going on with the engine that requires some form of attention. The situation may not be the IMS, it could be one of the other 10 modes of failure within the capability of the IMS Guardian to detect and provide early warning of.

If the press to test is carried out while the alarm is sounding and the light remains red and the alarm continues to sound, then something has damaged the sensor or the system and the occurrence would be considered a false alarm.

When we can reveal the technology many questions will be answered. The Tech Forum in Excellence Magazine will also answer many of them as well, all the other sill be addressed by the extensive portion of our website being dedicated to this technology, its testing, how it works, its features and overall information.

Any other questions? Comments?

Remember: I am not holding a .357 Magnum to anyone's head to buy this. If you don't believe in it, think it isn't needed or just don't like it- thats absolutely fine.

The pre-sales alone have already exceeded what we thought would sell in the first 6 months the product was on the market and its only been on our store site for SIX DAYS... It has yet to be advertised in any formal marketing and other than two forum posts it doesn't even exist.. There is not even any mention of it on our main website..

[landrovered]

Is my peace of mind worth $385?

You bet it is.

[Jake Raby]

[Burg Boxster]

LOL- imagine trying to sell a used car w/ this IMSG doo-dad thing-a-majig whatyamacallit button in the dash. I probably feel more at ease w/ curb feelers installed on car.

Anyhow, just curious:

What's the transferable warranty on ISMG? Seems it should comes w/ a lifetime one, right?

What's the "warning" duration?

What's the data logging capabilities?

What happens if engine implodes and IMSG doens't go off? Hmmmm... customer gets a free engine of their choice, right?

Why an "extra" $30 beans for "hotline"? Should be included in core price otherwise, whats the BFD?

What happens when engine implodes w/ IMSR and ISMG? Presume customer becomes SOL?

How will this interfere with deer whistlers I bought from cover of JCWhitney last month????

Need steak to accompany sizzle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[mikefocke]

Does the detection device connect in any way with the DME?

Can it be removed/disconnected if desired in a trivial way?

Can it be used or should it be used with the LN IMSR?

What are the labor hours to install for a first time installer who is familiar with Boxsters?

Does it measure/compare camshaft deviations?

[insite]

i'd be interested in a list of the ten failure modes it looks for.


for what it's worth, i've been up to jake's shop & it really is a development center. it's a multi-building complex with an engine build center, a tear-down center, a full machine shop, and a research center. the research center has a chassis dyno and two engine dynos, one of which is M96 specific. i saw a host of diagnosis equipment, design & research tools, even a brand new 3.8L DFI motor in tear-down.

regardless of whether some think jake goes a bit overboard with doom & gloom, he really is doing the leg work he claims to do. regardless of whether any of us decides to purchase the IMS guardian, i don't personally believe that it's snake oil. i'd be interested in stats once we have some data (statistical type 1 & type 2 errors, alpha) to see how effective it really is, but i do believe it will at least to some extent perform what it claims to perform.

the fact that they, along with LN, developed a DIY IMS kit along with an in-car replacement method is a pretty big deal for the M96 community. the guardian may not be for everyone & the price point may be a bit off, but CERTAINLY there is demand for something of this nature. if it works, it will give a lot of people the piece of mind they need to further enjoy their cars.

if you want to bash him for the hard sell, go right ahead, but i don't think it's right to beat him up over developing a product that the market has asked for, ESPECIALLY if this thing winds up saving some motors......

[Jake Raby]

Originally Posted by mikefocke

Does the detection device connect in any way with the DME?

No, not at all. 100% stand alone. Two wires connect to the vehicle's wiring, thats it. One of them is a "piggy back" connection from pin#3 of ad adjacent Porsche rocker switch.

Can it be removed/disconnected if desired in a trivial way?

Yep, in less time than it took to install. Just reinsert the switch block off that was removed when the IMSG was installed and you can't ever tell it was there.

Can it be used or should it be used with the LN IMSR?

Yes it can be. one of my test cars has an IMSR and employs the IMSG.

What are the labor hours to install for a first time installer who is familiar with Boxsters?

One of my friends doesn't even own a Porsche, he installed the system in one of my test cars in 90 minutes with no assistance from me at all, only using my written instructions. The goal of that exercise was to test the instructions. He is about as mechanical as a cardboard box.

Does it measure/compare camshaft deviations?

Can't answer that question.

for what it's worth, i've been up to jake's shop & it really is a development center. it's a multi-building complex with an engine build center, a tear-down center, a full machine shop, and a research center. the research center has a chassis dyno and two engine dynos, one of which is M96 specific. i saw a host of diagnosis equipment, design & research tools, even a brand new 3.8L DFI motor in tear-down.

regardless of whether some think jake goes a bit overboard with doom & gloom, he really is doing the leg work he claims to do. regardless of whether any of us decides to purchase the IMS guardian, i don't personally believe that it's snake oil. i'd be interested in stats once we have some data (statistical type 1 & type 2 errors, alpha) to see how effective it really is, but i do believe it will at least to some extent perform what it claims to perform.

Now for the funny part. When you came to visit an IMSG system was sitting on top of my black tool box right by the chassis dyno. We were two feet from it talking all about cars and engines and you never noticed it.. :-) Thank you for the compliments, glad you were impressed with our facility and what we have in work. The 9A1 engine is now finished that you saw and the results were impressive.. I'd dare say that no one else in this country has carried that work out to date, it was very challenging to say the least!

Ok fellas, my time to sit behind the computer is over.. For the last two weeks I haven't been able to get out of the Office due to paperwork related to the IMSG. Just today our final test car arrived and I need to get into the lab and get things set up to blow the engine up on purpose while under the watchful eye of the IMSG and on video with all our data logging gear in place. I need to do this test next week, before we close down the entire week of the 4th for our summer shut down.

I will pop in when I have a chance, but no more page long stories from me until after we return on July 11th.

If you want to buy the IMSG and believe in it, thats great and we'd love to sell it to you.
When we return from vacation it should be time to let the cat out of the bag. I appreciate your support and even the negative statements, reality is thats just life.