The First. The Original.
IMS Retrofit.

The IMS Retrofit is a registered trademark of LN Engineering LLC and the original ceramic hybrid ball bearing replacement for the Porsche M96 / M97 engine – the only one trusted by hundreds of independent mechanics and used by dealerships worldwide.

Does my car need an IMS kit?

Does my car have it already?

Which IMS kit will fit my car?

When do I need to change it?

Help & Support: 815-472-2939 | support@lnengineering.com

Dual Row
IMS Retrofit

Intermediate shaft bearing upgrade kit for Porsche® M96 engines originally equipped with dual row bearing.
Replaces the OEM bearing with custom ceramic hybrid dual row bearing.

Fits 1997 – 2000* Porsche Cars:
Boxster (Type 986)
911 Carrera (Type 996)

Item 106-08.4 | View in LN Store

Single Row Pro
IMS Retrofit

Intermediate shaft bearing upgrade kit for Porsche® M96 engines originally equipped with single row bearing.
Replaces the single row OEM bearing with custom dual row, ceramic hybrid bearing.

Fits 2001-2005* Porsche Cars:
Boxster (Type 986)
911 Carrera (Type 996)

Item 106-08.2.2 | View in LN Store

MY06-08
IMS Retrofit

Intermediate shaft bearing upgrade kit for Porsche® M97 engines originally equipped with the oversized IMS bearing.
Replaces the OEM bearing with custom ceramic hybrid dual row bearing.

Fits 2006-2008** Porsche Cars:
Boxster (Type 986)
911 Carrera (Type 996)

Item 106-08.30 | View in LN Store

Also available: RND RS Roller Bearing IMS Retrofit

The only roller bearing IMS replacement with true thrust control.

The RND Roller Bearing IMS Retrofit is the only cylindrical roller bearing kit on the market that uses properly heat treated, 52100 bearing steel thrust surfaces capable of supporting both radial and axial loads internally with an expanded load capacity bearing stronger similarly sized bearings… Learn more about Roller Bearing Kits.

1997-2000 Models*

Item 106-08.4R
View in LN Store

2001-2005 Models*

Item 106-08.2R
View in LN Store

2006-2008 Models**

Item 106-08.30R
View in LN Store

*Model year 2000 and 2001 engines came from the factory with either a dual row or a single row bearing IMS. Some late model year 2005 engines were also fitted with a larger bearing that is not serviceable without a complete teardown of the engine. It is impossible to verify what bearing is needed by VIN or engine number. Visual inspection is the only reliable method to determine which type of bearing is needed in these engines.

**Engine must be disassembled to remove the original bearing. Installation of IMS Retrofit™ MY06-08 makes the bearing serviceable without engine disassembly in the future.

Had an IMS Retrofit or IMS Solution kit recently installed in your car? Activate your warranty* and register your car and bearing upgrade in our IMS Database.

*Requires shop installation, full documentation and pre-qualification procedure as per Terms and Conditions

Problem: IMS Failure. Solution: IMS Retrofit.

Why do IMS bearings fail?

Lack of lubrication (sealed bearing was used)
Insufficient load capacity (factory single row bearing had high failure rate of 8%)
The factory did not supply a service interval, replacement, or tools for changing the original bearing out – bearing should have had a service interval!

IMS Retrofit as a preventative maintenance:

IMS replacement takes an average of 10-14 hours.
Typically coupled with clutch and other maintenance.
Engine rebuilds take 60+ hours and can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Engines must be pre-qualified prior to bearing replacement.

All other bearing replacements are just imitations.

All genuine LN IMS Retrofit kits come laser etched, engraved, and serial numbered to validate their authenticity and feature custom-made, ceramic hybrid ball bearings made exclusively for LN Engineering or a premium increased load capacity cylindrical roller bearing from Timken, FAG, SKF, or Koyo.

According to information published about the Eisen IMS Class Action Lawsuit, the single row IMS bearing used in 2000 through 2005 model years is reported to have an 8% failure rate, versus less than 1% with the dual row IMS bearing. It is worth noting that failure rates are considered to be significantly higher out of warranty and in the years since this data was made public.

With half the load capacity, it is clear to see that the reduced load capacity of the single row IMS bearing is a significant contributing factor to the increased number of failures and that oiling alone is not the cause or solution to IMS issues… Learn more about IMS Failures

The 8% failure rate cited by the settlement documents is not far off of the calculated L10 life we have been using for the last 8 years!

Direct Oil Feed?

Oiling is just one part of the problem. The solution is simple. Eliminating the grease seal opens up the bearing to the oil located in the “integrated dry sump,” aka wet sump where all the oil is housed…
Read the article

Roller Bearings

As you would imagine, the IMS Retrofit kit went through many iterations during development, including forced oiling of the ball bearing prior toselecting a ceramic ball for its performance…
Read the article

MY 06-08 IMS Retrofit

For those with MY06-08 intermediate shafts that cannot have their bearings replaced, we recommend removing the grease seal from the existing bearing, which allows for engine oil to lubricate it…
Read the article

Developed by

2008

FIRST IMS BEARING FIX
ON THE MARKET

45,000

IMSR & IMSS KITS SOLD AND INSTALLED WORLDWIDE

24,000

MILES OR 2 YEARS
LIMITED WARRANTY

75,000

MILES OR 6 YEARS
SERVICE INTERVAL

Warranty

All IMS Retrofit and RND RS Roller Bearing IMS Retrofit kits are covered by 2 year / 24000 miles limited warranty.

Proper online warranty registration is required.

Filled warranty card (included in your kit) with product tags attached must be returned to LN Engineering along with the original bearing removed from your engine. Failing to do so will void your warranty.

The pre-qualification procedure must be performed on your engine prior to installation of your IMS Retrofit™ kit.

Maintenance

Nothing mechanical lasts forever. Contrary to some misleading information on the internet, ball and roller bearings are wear-and-tear items with service intervals.

Recommended replacement intervals for IMS Retrofit and IMS Solution products:

Single Row Classic IMS Retrofit (discontinued, replaced by Single Row Pro) – 4 years or 50k miles
Classic Dual Row IMS Retrofit – 6 years or 75k miles
Single Row Pro IMS Retrofit – 6 years or 75k miles
RND RS Roller IMS Retrofit – 6 years or 75k miles
MY06-08 IMS Retrofit – 6 years or 75k miles
IMS Solution™ – designed for life of the engine

NEVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD IMS RETROFIT BE INSTALLED AS A REPLACEMENT FOR A FAILED OR FAILING IMS BEARING. SUCH ACTION WILL IMMEDIATELY VOID EACH AND ANY WARRANTY. THIS PRODUCT WAS DESIGNED AS A PREVENTATIVE MEASURE ONLY.

Preventing Failures

There are a few simple things that can be done next time you’re having your Porsche vehicle serviced to give you some peace of mind…
Read the article

Bearing Already Failing?

The IMS Retrofit and IMS Solution procedures are intended for PROACTIVE installation. Once your original bearing has failed – it is too late…
Read the article