Keep watching here, I will announce when we have them in stock. So far, the kit has performed flawlessly, rescuing a doomed 996 - the owner was told by the dealer it would be a $15,000 engine replacement. $150 later, and the engine is purring like new! Even has a brand new FabSpeed exhaust that we just put on it yesterday!

-Wayne

I am interested in the kit too. I'd like to keep my '99 986 from self destructing but I have to be honest and say that the price to do the fix will be the determining factor. I'm not willing to put 25% of the value of the car into a fix on a motor that already has 80K miles - I'll just drive it until it explodes and then sell what's left and buy another very nice $10K 986. With used 986 prices so low, the cars have almost become disposable.

Wayne: Now that the holiday season is over I was going to pull the transaxle and clutch on our recently purchased 98 boxster with a 2.5 and confirm the IMS bearing before ordering a ceramic bearing and other parts. You mention that a new kit will be out in February. Should I wait? Can you tell us in advance what the changes are? I can wait as the car does not go back on the road til winter is over. Car has 42,000 kilometers. My 101 Boxster book should arrive before I return home. Thanks Ron

Hi 986ron,

The differences between the LN kit and our inexpensive kit are detailed here: Pelican Technical Article: Boxster Intermediate Shaft Bearing Replacement and Upgrade (IMS) - 986 Boxster (1997-04) - 987 Boxster (2005-06)

I expect the kit to be available in February, maybe in March if manufacturing takes longer than expected.

-Wayne

then I think I can get the bearing ready for next spring :D

So are the remanufactured engines Porsche replaced during the RMS issues safe from the IMS failure? I am guessing that all of the 986 (3.2L) remanufactured engines have this bearing type...

From Wayne's IMS Tech Article:
"This is a photo of the very late-style intermediate shaft cover. The most obvious characteristic of this design is the very large nut that fits on the center bolt. The bearing behind the intermediate shaft cover shown here is not removable (it's too big to get out of the bore in the case). These are installed on Porsche rebuilt motors, and later style M96/M97 motors. If you see this large nut, then simply leave it alone: you cannot remove the bearing without splitting the engine case."
http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...all/Pic017.jpg

No, decidedly not. We have seen a couple fail; others have also been reported on several websites. Jake Raby has also commented on this as well. The apparent reason for not hearing much about them is that they are just now coming off warranty, so it is becoming more evident.

Basically, if it has an IMS, it can fail, regardless of the version............

Nothing can be done to upgrade / guard against failures with the big bearing, as you cannot remove it from the case (it's too big for the hole).

-Wayne

Is "the big bearing" the one that is reportedly put in 2006+ cars? So even though it is supposed to be stronger, it still can't be upgraded? Is it truly stronger?

Not really, they still fail.

Actually, LN and Jake have been busy and developing a total shaft replacement that includes a redesigned bearing similar in construction to the ones they developed for the earlier engines. Replacing the shaft, however, does require "splitting the cases", so it is no trivial matter........

It sounds like what you're saying is the only way to get a reliable motor is to get a pre-'05 and have an updated bearing put in? Should the later models be avoided since you can't update the later motor bearings? (I mean '06 - direct injection models)

Given the choice, I'd go with an early 05 or older car in good shape and do the IMS upgrade. Reason I say "early 05" is that some of the late 05 cars had the last revision, unserviceable IMS; and you should be equally leery of any year car with a factory re-manufactured engine installed after late 05 for the same reason.

So what about the factory re-manufactured engines prior to 2005? Large bearing or serviceable smaller bearing?

Re-manufactured engines prior to '05 probably have Rev 2 and not the Rev 3 "split the case" IMS. But everyone has been surprised by the occasional variation and those who know say the only way to really really know is the pull the trans and have a look.

My "1999" 996 engine that was a factory rebuilt engine has the big non-removable bearing. I'm not sure when it was put together though. Probably around 2006 or 2007...

-Wayne

Engines rebuilt & installed prior to 05, they would have the serviceable unit, 05 is a transition year so it could go either way. Engines installed in 06 and on will be the problem child, regardless of the car's model year............

I think the jury is still out on the bigger bearing. Frequent oil changes seem to be the number one factor in protecting the engine from this type of problem.

-Wayne

Wayne,


Is the kit up for sale? I am adding a tpc supercharger to my car and want to do this to my car why its all apart. Let me know please ty

Before any type of new bearing is fitted, measure the housing and ensure there is a "interference fit" on the outer ring as specified for the bearing type. Zero interference will definitely cause premature failure. Is the sprocket a shrink fit on the shaft and then machined after/ or is all premachined and then pressed on??

2001 boxster owner