IMS Replacement Strategy

[thom4782]

Hi everyone:

I'd like your advice. My 01S has $120K on the odometer and it's time to replace the clutch. While it's being done, I have a question on which IMS option to choose. Here's why I'm asking.

I've changed the oil at 5,000 mile intervals since I bought the car with 10K miles on the dial. At 100K, four changes ago, I found one small shinny non-metallic flake in the filter. It was 1/8" or smaller in diameter. Since then all of the changes have been clean, that hasn't been any visual evidence of metal in the oil stream. I am not considering an engine rebuild at this point, just an IMS replacement. I'm aware of the risk, but that's a chance I'm willing to take.

So here's my question. Assuming price of the part isn't a concern, would you recommend replacing my single row IMS with a Gen 2 Pro or the IMS Solution. The difference as I see it is that the Gen 2 is an unsealed design which may become damaged and fail completely if metal flakes show up in the future. In contrast, I'm guessing that the Solution would fair better because of its plain bearing design and the engine wouldn't self destruct due to a collapsed bearing if the Solution became worn.

Thanks