IMS Replacement ?
 

This may seem like a ridiculous question, however, I need not know if the rear bumper has to be removed during the course of an IMS retro-fit ? I have an aftermarket bumper that I am not too keen about having removed (at least not by just anyone), and I want to take steps to ensure that it will be properly handled .

I don't know the answer, but Justin at Auto Engineering is usually helpful in answering these types of questions over the phone: 781-676-7700

I think they can leave the bumper in place, however access is a whole lot easier with it removed.

Because the exhaust system has to be removed, pulling off the rear bumper cover is normal. Leaving it on will actually add time and cost to the job; and depending upon the model year, OEM or aftermarket exhaust, and if the car has an OEM or "styled" rear fascia, pulling it becomes necessary to get the car apart.

Glad you're getting it done JD ! :cheers:

JD

Damage can occur if you leave it in place....my black ceramic coated by pass exhaust has suffered

when are you going under the knife?

Probably not...
 

My indie removed my (aftermarket) muffler with the rear bumper in situ to do my LN update, a factory muffler may necessitate bumper removal due to its larger dimensions.

Sometime in the next month or so . Waiting for good weather and clear roads .

Do you have any tranquilizers that I can have ?

I have stock body parts. But did not have to remove any body part to replace the exhaust system. With the two "U" shape pipes removed and the four bolts from the muffler mount on the end of the transmission it dropped straight out. It was snug coming off but allowed good access installing the new exhaust. As for the IMS bearing I did not remove any body parts, to take the Transmission down either. I did remove the entire exhaust first. With the exhaust mount off the transmission there was a foot of clearence to go back with the transmissinon and drop it down.

I did not remove the rear bumper when I replaced my IMS bearing. Stock muffler was one of the first things I removed.

chiming in a little late, as it was mentioned it depends on whether or not you still have your original bumper and how low your aftermarket bumper cover extends. If it is shorter than stock then there is a chance to get the muffler out without cover removal and if you have an aftermarket muffler then most likely they will not have to pull the cover.
Glad you decided to get it done. In the last few months I have replace a lot of IMS bearings and so far the ration is that about 50 % were going bad, even though there were no visible signs of it.
luck

Harry,
I wish that we lived closer so that you could do the replacement for me ! :)

When I did mine I also very much wanted to leave the rear bumper / fascia on, I quickly discovered while a PITA, removing it was going to make things overall MUCH easier. And it did. Have the shop use blue painters tape on all the fascia seams upper and lower, should help to minimize harming the paint during R & R. All this while I had a B & B exhaust which is small compared to stock. Good Luck JD.

I replaced my muffler to stock. It was a pain and such a tight space to wiggle things in there. In the time you waste trying to deal with the space constraints you are better off taking the rear bumper out. It is so easy even a caveman can do it! :troll:

JD..If your looking for someone close in your area, I highly recommend

Musante Motorsports | Porsche Service & Repair in CT

There in South Windsor, Ct..Customer service was excellent..I drove up and spent the day at the nearby shopping mall (they brought me there). By mid afternoon they had installed a LN IMS bearing, RMS seal and I was off..$1600! Great shop and highly knowledgable guys..

Wow, did you say $1600 ? Did they put your engine back together for that price ? That's incredible ! :confused:

Ok, $1659+tax=$1764.89

This also included 7 qts Motul 5/40 and oil filter..I was there at 8am and left by 4pm..Ask for Chris.

So if you deduct about $900 for the lns ims, about $200 for the oil change plus cost of rms seal that leaves about $500 for labour approximately. That is an amazing price and quick service. I have been quoted more than 2X that amount incl. clutch work. Gosh I wish I lived closer!Raby /LN engineering down in North Caroline(?) wants $3500 incl. clutch work. Good on u. And comes with a great recommendation.