Yes, Another IMS Bearing Thread but hopefully with updated info....

[nuvolari]

So like everyone, I've read countless threads and sites about the IMSB and yet still feel a bit lost when it comes to making a choice on which one to buy. Of course, the IMS Solution is the only one I feel 100% confident in using and if my car were different (don't ask), I'd chose this one without fail. But it's just so ridiculously priced. And judging from how few people seem to go with the Solution, I'm not alone in my thinking.

So, with that choice out, we're now down in the trenches of luck, preference, price and earth's rotation. I do have some questions but I would also like to hear which IMSB you guys went with and what your experience has been, good or bad. As our cars get older and higher mileage, I have to think that the statistics on what actually works or doesn't will provide new info as most of the threads I have read are quite old.

Ok, now some questions and statements:

1) My car has a dual row bearing and I am not willing to give that up for any of the single bearing choices, whether they are ceramic or not. Many suppliers sell a single row bearing that uses a spacer so that they can sell the same bearing for both single row and dual row cars. I just think that's a bad idea.

2) DOF- There are a few direct oil feeds out there. I don't think the version where you puncture the oil pump drive end of the IMS is the best way to go. Not sure that it's bad as I haven't read any horror stories but I just don't like the idea of it all.
The versions which run off the Bank 1 oil pressure has some reports of lowering oil pressure but again, I haven't seen any direct problems with this or if it actually does lower pressure. I have heard that Flat 6 tested this method and decided against it before going with the oil filter hookup but again, not sure the exact results of their testing as they like to live in cryptic land.
Anyway, not even completely sure if DOF is better, equal or worse than no DOF so who knows?

3) After struggling and changing my preference on specific IMSB's, I've recently come around to just using an OEM NSK bearing and removing the one of the oil seals. Once again, there is conflicting info on how much oil gets into the bearing and how much it needs, everything from 2/3's covered to strictly mist when running. Even experts have mentioned conflicting info in their videos about how much oil the bearing receives while running and whether to remove the seal or not. I would think by now we would have some statistical evidence on what the best method might be???

4) The roller bearing looks promising but the whole thrust issue doesn't seem sorted yet. Or I should say that the empirical data isn't out there yet. There are different roller bearings with slightly different ways of dealing with the thrust and there are differing opinions but who really knows?

5) Ceramic - Not too impressed with the ceramic options due to reported failures and other things I've read about these bearings. I guess the problems come from it being a hybrid ceramic bearing and damage to the metal races. Why isn't there full ceramic bearing? (Then the sellers could charge $1500 for it! Yes, a stab at the sellers for the crazy prices of some of these parts!)

So this is a start. I would love to hear from all, especially those who have seen many different cars, JFP comes to mind of course. Anything to avoid or anything to insist on? Or are they all basically overkill for which the simplest solution will work in 99% of the cases (92% on a single row car?)

Many thanks in advance, especially for reading another IMSB thread.