vargas

2 questions, please..

How many have purchased the "solution" kit from LN versus the retro fit kits for the 996's?

In both of those scenarios, how many have still gone through an engine failure even after the updated bearing?

Thank you in advance for the opinions/information.

kromdom

heard of Jack Raby? best to message/contact him. best of luck.

WalterRohrl

The "solution" is new on the market, so very few takers so far relative to the retrofit which has been around for quite some time. I'm not aware of failures with either that are attributable to the product itself, although there have been issues arising from engines that were already in trouble and not "qualified" as being acceptable for a bearing replacement, thus eventually wrecking the replacement product from within. Finally, the replacement bearing is not a one-time cure-all, generally it is acknowledged to be a maintenance item.

Ben Z

According to the class-action stats (the only ones we've got that could be considered halfway reliable) there is a 92% survival rate of the OEM single row bearing without any intervention at all (not pulling seals, not installing DOF, nada).

So although the solution is a brilliant bit of engineering, I consider it overkill from a cost-risk standpoint vs a retrofit. And the thing I also don't care for about it is that it depends on a single feed line to supply it with oil. If that line were to be interrupted (clog up, break) the engine is toast in seconds. Just because it hasn't happened (yet) in the tiny number of units installed doesn't remove it from possibility. I personally like the idea of immersion/splash lubrication better.

Assuming there is no swarf in the engine from a failing bearing, and the retrofit installation is done expertly and correctly, I see no reason why the retrofit shouldn't be expected to last the lifetime of the engine. Again, remembering 92% of the OEM bearings last the lifetime, and the LN is made of more durable material and has a stronger center shaft. In fact there is no guarantee by replacing the retrofit bearing at 50K miles, that the replacement bearing won't fail in 5K miles whereas the one you replaced might have lasted another 50K.

That said, when my warranty runs out my LN bearing will have close to 50K on it, and if the clutch pedal is getting stiff I might consider doing that and replacing the LN with either the 2-row PRO or the Vertex cylindrical, depending what reports there are about failures between now and then.

aggravation

So is the LN bearing considered a "retrofit" and the "solution" people sometimes mention is "either the 2-row PRO or the Vertex cylindrical"?

Trying to get up to speed on these things...and for those who guard these forums against the Walking Newbs ...no, this isnt clear in 'the-thread-that-shall-be-read-before-one-dares-post-a-question'.

Thanks

Ben Z

"The IMS Solution" is (I guess) a copyrighted name for the device that replaces the ball bearing with a plain bearing fed by a proprietary oil tube connected to a proprietary aftermarket oil filter adapter.

But I can see where it's confusing because every competitor in that niche market touts their own product as being the solution to the IMS problem. Vertex claims that their cylindrical bearing is good for the life of the engine. DOF people claim their oil squirter solves the problem permanently. Only LN advises replacing their dual-row and 2-row "PRO" retrofit ball bearings at intervals.

vargas

Here is "The Solution" by LN. I do not think that there are many members that are up to speed on this kit. I was not aware of it until I contact Jake @ LN this past weekend. He said it's $1,800 for the kit only..

http://theimssolution.com

This kit has no moving bearing parts but I do agree on the oil line risk! Although I really do like their solution. Contemplating between this or the retro kit.

Sneaky Pete

Oh yeh...most us members have no clue about this at all. Where is my "not this $hit again" photo?

5CHN3LL

Anyone on this forum with a pulse is familiar with this product. WTF?

ltusler

Right, who is Jack Rugby?

Meares

he can do an LS swap...that COULD take care of the problem, not sure though

DTMiller

So good.

vargas

I don't get why some of you are having such a beef on this thread. I'm just saying not everyone is talking about the non-bearing kit on this site and so one would assume either A: no market for it or B: not enough knowledge of the kit.

Sorry if I ruined your Monday...

alpine003

Read through ALL the IXX threads and see if you get mad too.

vargas

try Vicodin..