How many miles are on your IMS Retrofit?

[autodoctor911]

I think that everyone is making way too big a deal about this problem. bring the car in for a checkout. If the car checks out good, and it is priced right, buy it. when it is time to do a clutch I might consider doing this kind of procedure. right now, I am still up in the air about it. I am talking to some of the other porsche techs out there in the other shops, and am going to contact the guys doing these experimental retrofits and weigh the benefits and the costs/risks. I will post with my conclusions at a later date. maybe there is still a more elegant solution out there. I have a few ideas that I will be discussing with those that are in the know.

[autodoctor911]

I guess it comes down to opinions and speculation really. If it's going to make you feel better, do it. My only concern still, at this point is how long term is the fix. If Porsche is still having problems with this part after several redesigns, why should I expect a very small firm's R&D to have come up with a solution? just asking. I am still looking into it and will repost when I have gathered all the info.

[Jake Raby]

why should I expect a very small firm's R&D to have come up with a solution?

Small and DEDICATED instead of large and dysfunctional. My company and LN Engineering neither function from anything more than drive and dedication to the brand.

I've owned a Porsche since age 12, had my first paying customer for an aircooled engine at age 13 and people have been trusting me every since.

With previous engines the issues were more difficult to address as many more designs were necessary. The M96 "fix" was fairly simple, we just had to use a superior bearing and bearing material to overcome the inadequacies.

The common denominator with all the "Porsche" revisions has been the COST of the bearing, because the accountants run the company today, not the engineers. In mass production the ultimate fix is the one that reduces risks of failure while providing the level of security thats being targeted.

Thats not the case with the silicon nitride bearing, it cost about 300% more than a factory conventional bearing would to fit the application. Build a few hundred thousand cars and see how many millions of dollars that bearing would cost in lost revenue. Fact is they'd rather net more money and take more risks than make the engine bulletproof. To auto makers some percentage of failure is acceptable, to me anything less than 100% perfection is unsatisfactory. We currently have a 100% effectiveness rating with retrofits, none have failed, not even those that were installed incorrectly.

In 10 years the story will be told and I fully intend to make the naysayers eat their words.

[Lobo1186]

Originally Posted by Jake Raby

In 10 years the story will be told and I fully intend to make the naysayers eat their words.

Chesty Puller (RIP) would be proud!

[BerneseMtnDog]

I also want to reiterate that a bearing on the way out will not let you know of its intent. Mine was replaced at 83k miles with not outward symptoms at all but upon examining the old bearing I could see where the original seal had failed allowing the bearing to fill with old crappy oil. I have no idea if and when it would fail but I'm glad I replaced it with the LN bearing as I understand this is an early stage of typical failure. I did the bearing replacement along with the clutch and flywheel myself and it was a straight forward job.

Steve

[Jake Raby]

Originally Posted by Lobo1186

Chesty Puller (RIP) would be proud!

Yep, in those 10 years we'll probably experience some failures... I predict that higher mileage engines with the retrofit will begin to have other failures (like IMS tensioner paddle failure) that will get blamed on the IMS retrofit bearing and procedure.

This is already occurring with non retrofitted engines. The tensioner paddle snaps and the engine has ALL the symptoms of an IMSBF but the bearing is perfect upon teardown.

Crap will happen, we'll have to deal with it. Until then we'll enjoy a 100% effectiveness rating as long as we can.

[jmatta]

I'm putting some funds aside now for my retrofit, even though my '02 S has but 18k miles and no need for a clutch. I'd much rather have the update and spend a few dollars now, than risk my engine being toast and big bucks sometime down the road. I've listened to Jake and Charles' comments and have already installed a number of their recommended M96 updates, so this one makes the most sense to follow through on. I won't be one that hits the 100k mile mark any time in the near future, but I also won't see my car sitting on a flatbed with a dead engine.

[Jake Raby]

"We currently have a 100% effectiveness rating with retrofits, none have failed, not even those that were installed incorrectly."

This statement even refers to the DIY set of components we have supplied for others to install in the instances where instructions were not followed and complications existed. None of those have failed either.

What does a 100% effectiveness rating with retrofits mean? Than no engine that you have done a retrofit has failed?

Correct.

Or no engine has failed from the IMS cause?

This as well.

How many have you done?

All totaled between retrofits and updated engines, the number is very close to 70. This number doesn't include the numbers from bearing kits that we sold to other shops and etc for installation elsewhere.

Do you track the mileage of these cars?

Absolutely. All VINs are logged and crossed with IMSR bearing flange serial numbers as well as door jamb decals.

Do the owners of these cars who have had this procedure done check-in with you and report on the status of their engines

Yes, the majority stay in touch as we grow more close relationships with many after we complete the retrofits.

We do make follow up calls every so often with the owners of the cars. That reminds me that its time to make another round of those calls...