IMS Solution

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IMS Solution: The Only Permanent Solution to Porsche IMS Bearing Failures for Boxster, Cayman, and 911 Engines

The IMS bearing in your Porsche Boxster, 996, or early 997 needs to be replaced as part of preventative maintenance to prevent costly engine intermediate shaft bearing failures. The IMS Solution is the only permanent fix for these issues.

Eliminate IMS Bearing Worries – Permanently

The IMS Solution is the only permanent fix for the notorious IMS bearing failure in Porsche Boxster, Cayman, and 911 models. Unlike temporary ball or roller bearing replacements, our patented oil-fed plain bearing design ensures:

  • No scheduled maintenance or replacement intervals
  • A 5-year/unlimited mileage warranty
  • Peace of mind with every drive

Why Choose LN Engineering?

With tens of thousands of IMS Retrofit and IMS Solution installations since 2008, LN Engineering is the go-to source for IMS bearing solutions. We offer:

  • Fast and free shipping
  • Industry-leading technical support
  • Exclusive tool rental programs
  • Trade-up program with rebates up to $300 when upgrading to the IMS Solution from other bearing replacements

Our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction sets us apart.

Ready to Upgrade?

Don’t wait for a catastrophic engine failure. Developed by industry experts Jake Raby and Charles Navarro, the IMS Solution is trusted by over 3,500 Porsche owners worldwide. It’s the last IMS bearing your engine will ever need.

The unique approach and patented design completely eliminates ball or roller bearings, backdating the intermediate shaft bearing to a plain, oil-pressure fed plain bearing like what is used in aircooled Porsche 911 Mezger engines and in watercooled Porsche 911 GT2, 911 GT3 and 911 Turbo® Porsche models with the Mezger engine. This is not to be mistaken with the the direct oil feed (DOF) IMS bearing lubrication and cooling kit that sprays oil at a ball or roller bearing.

Eliminating the ball or roller IMS bearing is the only permanent fix for intermediate shaft bearing issues common to all Porsche Boxster and 911 models.

The IMS Solution was developed by the team that brought you the IMS Retrofit bearing replacement kit- Flat 6 Innovations’s Jake Raby and LN Engineering’s Charles Navarro. This team is highly regarded as North America’s foremost M96 experts. The IMS Solution became the first Patented IMS bearing kit on the market, granted US Patent 8,992,089 B2 on March 31, 2015, and is also protected by US Patent 9,416,697 B2 and US Patent 9,909,469. It is the last intermediate shaft bearing your Porsche engine will ever need.

Designed for the life of your Porsche engine, the IMS Solution carries a 5 year / unlimited mileage warranty. Although it is more expensive than an IMS Retrofit, if you don’t plan on selling your Porsche Boxster or 911 anytime soon, the investment makes the most sense. It is the only truly permanent replacement for the failure prone intermediate shaft bearing that does not have a service or replacement interval, unlike ball or roller bearing IMS bearing upgrades that need to be replaced as part of regular maintenance.

For more information visit http://imssolution.com or read The Definitive Guide and FAQ for Porsche IMS Bearings.


 

The IMS Solution for 1997-2001 and 2000-2005 Porsche 911 and Boxster with M96 / M97 Engines

* 1997-1999 engines are equipped with dual-row bearing. 2000-2001 models can have either single- or dual-row bearing. 2002-2005 engines have a single-row bearing. Early 997 models with 2005 build dates may have the serviceable single row bearing that can be fitted with the 106-08.20 single row IMS Solution.

The IMS Solution for MY06-08 Porsceh engines

*M97 engines found in model year 2006 through 2008 Porsche 997 and 987 Boxster and Cayman models have a non-serviceable IMS bearing. As full engine disassembly is required to correctly replace the bearing , we recommend removing the grease seal off the original bearing to allow the engine oil to properly lubricate the original bearing.

What is the IMS Solution for Porsche engines?

The IMS Solution is a permanent replacement for the factory intermediate shaft bearing in Porsche M96 and M97 engines. It eliminates the ball-bearing design and replaces it with an oil pressure fed plain bearing, similar to other critical internal engine bearings, providing lifetime reliability without service intervals.

How is the IMS Solution different from the IMS Retrofit?

The IMS Retrofit uses a ceramic hybrid ball bearing or cylindrical roller bearing that requires periodic replacement, while the IMS Solution uses an oil-fed plain bearing that permanently eliminates the bearing as a wear item. It is the only IMS bearing replacement approved by Porsche engine builders like Flat 6 Innovations for long-term reliability.

Why is the IMS Solution more expensive than the Retrofit?

While more expensive initially, the IMS Solution eliminates future IMS-related service costs and offers the highest level of reliability. Plus, your kit can be re-used if and when you need to rebuid your engine, where ball or roller bearings shouldn’t.

Does the IMS Solution work with all Porsche M96 and M97 engines?

The IMSS is compatible with 1997–2005 Porsche Boxster, Cayman, and 911 models with M96 or early M97 engines that have a serviceable IMS bearing. It is not compatible with MY06-08 engines with the larger factory IMS bearing as complete engine disassembly is required to allow for installation on these models.

Who should install the IMS Solution?

Although the IMS Solution can be installed as part of DIY service, we recommend that the IMS Solution should be installed by a qualified Porsche specialist following a thorough inspection of the engine including pre-qualification to make sure your engine is healthy enough to be fitted with a new IMS bearing.

Is the IMS Solution approved by Porsche?

While not officially approved by Porsche AG, it is the only aftermarket bearing replacement endorsed by leading independent Porsche specialists and engine builders alike, such as Flat 6 Innovations, and is widely recognized as the gold standard solution in the industry worldwide.

What are the benefits of the IMS Solution?

Key benefits include permanent elimination of IMS bearing failure risk, no need for future service or inspection, improved engine reliability, and increased peace of mind for long-term ownership and high-performance use.

How does the IMS Solution improve oil filtration and make oil changes easier?

IMSS kits equipped with the patented spin on oil filter adapter allows for use of a spin-on oil filter that provides superior filtration over the factory filter element, which also happens to be easier and cheaper to replace.

Does the IMS Soltuion’s oil feed negatively affect engine oil pressure in any way?

No, Unlike other oil feed products, the IMS Solution does not cause any measureable loss of oil pressure, even at extremely hot oil temperatures, nor does it contribute to oil aeration or foaming, like other products.

Frequently Asked Questions about the IMS Solution.