Opinions are welcome on IMS issue. ...I know

[thstone]

With that being said, I am on my 4th engine. I treat them as disposable and I keep a used spare engine on hand. I buy used engines, run them until they blow up and then swap in another replacement. 2.5L engines are easily found for under $3K (the engine below was $2,750 with 90K miles) and if you swap it in yourself, you can be up and running for $3,500.

My next engine waiting to be swapped in...

[10/10ths]

...THSTONE, that's admirable. I think your approach is great. I wish I had the time, space, workshop, and patience to follow your lead.

For ME, I wanted a reliable, real world, every day useable Boxster that my wife and I can drive to Seattle and back to our Louisiana home without worrying about the engine blowing somewhere west of Laramie, in the rain, at 8pm on a Sunday.

I just can't play Russian Roulette while on a cross-country trip with my wife.

Also, my time is worth more to me than I want to spend R&R'ing engines.

I just don't have time for that crap. I'd rather be out on my motorcycle if i'm not driving the Box with my wife.

Cheers.

[JayG]

Originally Posted by thstone

With that being said, I am on my 4th engine. I treat them as disposable and I keep a used spare engine on hand. I buy used engines, run them until they blow up and then swap in another replacement. 2.5L engines are easily found for under $3K (the engine below was $2,750 with 90K miles) and if you swap it in yourself, you can be up and running for $3,500.

My next engine waiting to be swapped in...

Bare in mind that Tom drives the crap out of his Boxster. It is a race car and he does a lot of the work himself

Having spare engines and transmissions ready to go is not that uncommon for a race car.

That all being said, if it keeps you up at night, replace the IMSB. There are several choices including the LN ceramic as well as a few roller bearing ones and some with oil feed. Lots of different flavors of Kool-aid to choose from.

My 01 S has 87k on the original IMSB, I do a bunch of autocross and around 10-12 track days a year where I drive it hard. I change the oil every 5k or >2500 if going to the track. I sleep well at night and at some point I will probably change out the IMSB

YMMV

[por356c]

Jay always offers the very best advice - there is no calmer, better 986 advice that you can find. But, to me its simple: replace the IMS/RMS and enjoy your car from that point forward. Peace of mind is worth a lot! Unless you are a top flight mechanic, with extra money, with all of the proper tools, lifts, etc., its a bad day if that engine blows - a real bad day.

Peace of mind is worth a lot!

Good luck,
David Preston
02 Boxster

[mfm22]

My new concern is that if the IMSB is changed will the work be done properly !

read some stories where the swap out didn't go so smooth.

need to ask questions of tech doing work - it can be a touchy situation

how many of these have you done etc..