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.

1997 – 2000* PORSCHE® CARS:

  • Boxster® (type 986)

  • 911 Carrera® (type 996)

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.

2001 – 2005* PORSCHE® CARS:

  • Boxster® (type 986)

  • 911 Carrera® (type 996)

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.

2006- 2008** PORSCHE® CARS:

  • Boxster® (type 987)

  • 911 Carrera® (type 997)

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.

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!

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…

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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…

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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…

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MY 06-08 IMS Retrofit

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

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Developed By

FIRST IMS BEARING FIX
ON THE MARKET

IMSR & IMSS KITS SOLD
AND INSTALLED WORLDWIDE

MILES OR 2 YEARS
LIMITED WARRANTY

MILES OR 6 YEARS
SERVICE INTERVAL

WARRANTY

IMS Retrofit™ kits are covered by 2 year / 24000 miles limited warranty. Proper 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.

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.

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

Current Rebates - IMS Trade Up Program

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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…

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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…

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New to the IMS Retrofit?

Are you new to the M96 engine and the IMS Retrofit? There are several versions of the IMS used from 1997 through 2008.

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Resources

DOWNLOADS:

Single Row Pro Installation Instructions

Dual Row Installation Instructions

Single Row Classic (discontinued) Installation Instructions