Swapping engines

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

And to my knowledge, and what I have seen or heard from both LN and Jake Raby, none has ever failed in service. If fact, a some engines equipped with the Solution have suffered other types of failures (rod bolt failure, spun bearings, broken crank, dropped valve, etc.) and the Solution was removed from the failed engine, cleaned up, and installed in the replacement engine; something you cannot do with any other style of IMS retrofits.

Yes, they are more expensive, but "speed costs money; how fast do you want to go?"

Boom. There are numerous events that can grenade an engine besides an IMSB failure. While The Solution may be a solid unit, the cost of the unit plus the cost to have it installed, because otherwise the warranty would be voided, is equal to or more than the cost of a replacement engine. And the engine could still blow up from other things, as you mentioned.

If "speed costs money" and someone wanted to go faster, they probably wouldn't buy a Boxster.

[LoneWolfGal]

Originally Posted by piper6909

Boom. There are numerous events that can grenade an engine besides an IMSB failure. While The Solution may be a solid unit, the cost of the unit plus the cost to have it installed, because otherwise the warranty would be voided, is equal to or more than the cost of a replacement engine. And the engine could still blow up from other things, as you mentioned.

If "speed costs money" and someone wanted to go faster, they probably wouldn't buy a Boxster.

You have a point, Al. I'm certainly not going to fork over several thousand bucks to have a LN-approved shop install the Solution in order to qualify for the 5-year warranty. However, Jake Raby indicated that DIYers should nevertheless go through the registration procedure, including sending LN the old bearing. It will provide proof that the Solution has been installed. That's really all I care about, because it's unlikely the warranty would be needed anyway.

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by LoneWolfGal

You have a point, Al. I'm certainly not going to fork over several thousand bucks to have a LN-approved shop install the Solution in order to qualify for the 5-year warranty. However, Jake Raby indicated that DIYers should nevertheless go through the registration procedure, including sending LN the old bearing. It will provide proof that the Solution has been installed. That's really all I care about, because it's unlikely the warranty would be needed anyway.

Oh, I totally get it. That's why I do all the servicing on my cars myself. When I had more time, I even swapped and rebuilt engines. But not on the Boxster (yet). The only thing I can't do is rebuild transmissions.

Looking forward to reading up on your progress.

[LoneWolfGal]

The IMS cover flange appears to have a shallow dish, which means it's a dual-row bearing. Oddly, the flange is secured with hex-head bolts. Every other one I've seen used Torx. Ees a puzzlement. Perhaps I should replace them with Torx? In any case, after the lift table arrives I'm going to pull the bearing and eyeball it before I order the new one.





I also drained the oil from the new engine and removed the filter and inspected it. It was clean as whistle, of course.

[Gilles]

Originally Posted by LoneWolfGal

In any case, after the lift table arrives I'm going to pull the bearing and eyeball it before I order the new one.

Just remember to lock the cams and remove the chain tensioners 'before' you remove the flange cover, and of course that dual row bearing that you will be removing will be in great condition..

[LoneWolfGal]

Originally Posted by Gilles

Just remember to lock the cams and remove the chain tensioners 'before' you remove the flange cover, and of course that dual row bearing that you will be removing will be in great condition..

Agree completely. I understand a few folks have gotten away with it without locking the cams, and I also read that 5-chain engines are less susceptible to jumping a tooth during the process, but I don't like taking chances. I borrowed LN's official toolkit, which includes the cam-locking widget. BTW, I read the tensioners can be simply loosened instead of removed. What's your thinking about that?

[elgyqc]

Originally Posted by LoneWolfGal

Agree completely. I understand a few folks have gotten away with it without locking the cams, and I also read that 5-chain engines are less susceptible to jumping a tooth during the process, but I don't like taking chances. I borrowed LN's official toolkit, which includes the cam-locking widget. BTW, I read the tensioners can be simply loosened instead of removed. What's your thinking about that?

If I remember rightly the tension of the chains pulls the IMS off center making the reinstallation of the flange a challenge. If you are going to change the chain tensioner pads in the heads you have to remover the tensioners, so do the IMSB at the same time. By the way, in the PET they are called chain adjusters, which is handy to not confuse them with other parts that are tensioners... but I'm a minority of one who would like to adopt the Porsche nomenclature.

[LoneWolfGal]

Originally Posted by piper6909

The only thing I can't do is rebuild transmissions.

I've watched it done. Seems pretty straightforward, a step at a time. If your transmission went south I bet you'd roll up your sleeves, as would I.

Edit: Upon reflection, it's more likely that I would pay a visit to eBay and find a replacement transmission, and you'd probably do the same. But it would be interesting to rebuild one. They're like a big metal puzzle.

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by LoneWolfGal

I've watched it done. Seems pretty straightforward, a step at a time. If your transmission went south I bet you'd roll up your sleeves, as would I.

Edit: Upon reflection, it's more likely that I would pay a visit to eBay and find a replacement transmission, and you'd probably do the same. But it would be interesting to rebuild one. They're like a big metal puzzle.

The closest I came to rebuilding a transmission was replacing the tail housing on a 2011 Outback. I found a 29K mile one that was wrecked and the rear mount broke the tail housing. For that reason it was very cheap and I had a bad transmission with a good housing so I went for it. When I took it apart little parts started falling out. Luckily, I was able to put it all back together. That was about 6 years ago and my friend's son has the car now.

I've watched many youtube videos of people rebuilding transmissions. It seems straightforward, but those guys can do it in their sleep. They know what to look for and what clearences should be and stuff like that. Not my wheelhouse. I use Dodge Caravans as my work vehicles and they drop transmissions all the time. It doesn't help that I log 50-60k miles a year. I always paid someone to do them. Less downtime, mainly.

Maybe after I retire and have more free time I might venture into tearing one down. But I'll have to have the right mindset for it, and right now it doesn't interest me that much.