Who HASN'T done the IMS Retrofit (and why not)?

[kls]

Finally, mathematics that justify my personal logic! Viken6 put it better than I've seen, and it casts doubt on the often used phrase "cheap insurance."

[Pirate50]

When I bought my 04 with 55k on it, it was taken in and had a new clutch installed soon after. Then I start reading about the IMS issues,as everyone else had said " scared the hell out of me" at first. I decided that I would get the LNE bearing done, but I put it off. Now I hear about failures to the new bearing and it makes me wonder whether to do it or not, or install the "guardian". While I do believe that this is a problem with these cars,and not a hoax, and that LNE's bearing is superior, I don't like the fact that it can be fouled by foreign debris in the engine such as the gasket material found in peoples oil filters or the chain tensioner paddle filings that seem to be in alot of filters opened up on this site. It seems that if a small piece of non-metal debris mentioned earlier got washed into the new unsealed bearing it could cause the balls to slide instead of roll which wouldn't take long to destroy it. Three of the failures of the LNE bearing are foreign debris failures. I'm beginning to wonder if there is a cure for this issue, or if you trade one risk for another. With all that said, I think I would install the bearing if my tranny were to be removed for a little piece of mind, but I try to not let this issue destroy my Boxster experience. Life happens-deal with it when it does.

[Jake Raby]

Not replacing the clutch assembly when carrying out the IMSB might seem to be more cost effective, but its really not, even if you have a low mileage Porsche.

[Johnny Danger]

Originally Posted by Jake Raby

Not replacing the clutch assembly when carrying out the IMSB might seem to be more cost effective, but its really not, even if you have a low mileage Porsche.

What if the clutch has little wear and is in excellent condition ?

[mdex]

Originally Posted by Johnny Danger

What if the clutch has little wear and is in excellent condition ?

2 years ago(ish) my RMS went from slightly weeping to outright sobbing. While the car was apart I told my mechanic to do the clutch as well.... they called me shocked that the clutch was still over 95% and advised I didn't need to change it. The following weekend the pressure plate springs failed.

Now they were good guys, and I ended up with a new clutch for free as an apology for them talking me out of it in the first place and it costing me a day at the track, but my rule of thumb is when the clutch is exposed and it has been in there for a fair amount of time, change it no matter how it looks.

[amschnellsten]

Originally Posted by mdex

2 years ago(ish) my RMS went from slightly weeping to outright sobbing. While the car was apart I told my mechanic to do the clutch as well.... they called me shocked that the clutch was still over 95% and advised I didn't need to change it. The following weekend the pressure plate springs failed.

Now they were good guys, and I ended up with a new clutch for free as an apology for them talking me out of it in the first place and it costing me a day at the track, but my rule of thumb is when the clutch is exposed and it has been in there for a fair amount of time, change it no matter how it looks.

I agree, If your in there just change it.

[WhipE350]

Originally Posted by Jake Raby

Not replacing the clutch assembly when carrying out the IMSB might seem to be more cost effective, but its really not, even if you have a low mileage Porsche.

Huh? Danger is on assignment and drives his car maybe 1 to 2k year, his clutch will last another 15 years!

[Johnny Danger]

Originally Posted by WhipE350

Huh? Danger is on assignment and drives his car maybe 1 to 2k year, his clutch will last another 15 years!

That's precisely my point ! It's like my fifth wife who rarely shaved her legs. Why change razors if it never gets used ?

[Ghostrider 310]

Originally Posted by Johnny Danger

That's precisely my point ! It's like my fifth wife who rarely shaved her legs. Why change razors if it never gets used ?

For the same reason you think doing preventative is a good investment. If you are going to keep the car are you really going to open it to that degree and pocket the grand a clutch kit costs? I wouldn't, at the very least I'd replace the slave cylinder and TO bearing, if the slave pees on the clutch plate one fine day, then you are reopening the case for a clutch you could have replaced.

[Johnny Danger]

Originally Posted by Ghostrider 310

For the same reason you think doing preventative is a good investment. If you are going to keep the car are you really going to open it to that degree and pocket the grand a clutch kit costs? I wouldn't, at the very least I'd replace the slave cylinder and TO bearing, if the slave pees on the clutch plate one fine day, then you are reopening the case for a clutch you could have replaced.

My vehicle has 19k original miles, and so far as I can tell the clutch probably has 98.99% of life left in it . Why would I replace it at this point ? Should I also replace my toaster, microwave, DVD player, TV and any other appliance before it fails or wears out sometime in the next 15 to 20 years ?

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by WhipE350

Huh? Danger is on assignment and drives his car maybe 1 to 2k year, his clutch will last another 15 years!

the expense is the labor not the part.
You're getting a two for if you change the clutch. Granted most people put more than $2K miles on a car per year. At that rate we'll all be be in little George Jetson cars before that clutch wears out.

[RandallNeighbour]

I have not done the IMS upgrade because I now love the idea that I have a ticking time bomb of a motor and can't wait for it to implode on me.

That's the only way the wife will say, "what's it gonna cost to get the motor replaced?" to which I will reply, "Honey, it won't be cheap. It might be $15k or more."

Which will pay for a motor swap and rid me of the underpowered 2.5 in my 1997 and replace it with a 3.4, 3.6, or even 3.8!!!

[milliemax]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

I have not done the IMS upgrade because I now love the idea that I have a ticking time bomb of a motor and can't wait for it to implode on me.

That's the only way the wife will say, "what's it gonna cost to get the motor replaced?" to which I will reply, "Honey, it won't be cheap. It might be $15k or more."

Which will pay for a motor swap and rid me of the underpowered 2.5 in my 1997 and replace it with a 3.4, 3.6, or even 3.8!!!

Randall, I always agree with you. I guess it's our ......many trips around the barn yard. Max

[Earn]

When I had my transmission and RMS done I requested to have the IMS retrofit done but I was told not to do it. They said it shouldn't even be a concern. The Indy shop also said "The dealership doesn't offer it so neither do we". Well Jim Ellis does offer it in Atlanta. I've since stayed far far away from this Indy shop from this experience and couple of others. I have almost 110K on my Boxster so if it blows I'm going for a 3.8 so I'm not too concerned with it

[mdex]

I am north of 140k on my engine with heavy track use and it is still going strong. When the engine goes it goes. Is there a potential for the IMS to fail? Yes. I also know of of these engines failing from all sorts of other issues (D-chunk, spun rod bearings etc) so rather then worry about all the what ifs, and possible problems I choose to stay on top of normal maintenance, enjoy the car and if the engine blows up I will worry about it then.