IMS replaced in 2006, newer/better model?

Hey guys, I bought my 2002 Targa in May without service history and it has 81k miles on it right now. Because I frequent these silly forums I've always had the IMS bearing on the back of my mind. My car's clutch is fairly heavy, so I always assumed it was still on the original clutch, and was set to have it as well as the IMS replaced later this week to the tune of $2800. I've been trying to contact previous owners to find out if the clutch was ever replaced, and eventually found out where the car was originally sold. Called up the dealer, and he was able to provide the following: 2006: New clutch, IMS bearing, RMS! So turns out I only have 30k miles on my clutch and IMS bearing from 2006, and my first thought is that this 5 minute phone call just saved me from a $2800 bill. But now some new questions are popping into my head: 1. Was 2006 a new/better IMS design? 2. With my 2006 Porsche IMS, is it worth $1000 to upgrade to LN Engineering IMS? 3. I know a clutch can fail in 30k miles, but could something else be causing my heavy clutch? Any help would be much appreciated! Chris

Heavy, relative to what? ... another 911 clutch? My C2's is heavier than any previous clutch I ever had except perhaps a long gone 1973 Plymouth RRunner clutch, but it is still quite acceptable. If you are not hard on it or let it slip on steep inclines, it should last you much longer than 30k, likely 70k or more. My 2 pennies!

The Porsche bearings come in three basic types - dual row, single and large single. The IMS shaft dictates the type of bearing. The Porsche bearing does not have many fans. You are likely to have the single, which may have the fewest fans. There are some that contend that the bearings fail by XX,XXX miles or not at all. If that is true you wouldn't want to change your bearing. In a nutshell, any Porsche improvement by 2006 would not help you because you have an older IMS. If you shift into 6th at 50 mph and floor it, do you feel momentary lag that could be the clutch? That is one indicator of a bad clutch. A possible reason for the heavy clutch is the PO removed the clutch booster spring. I have a picture on my home computer but not here at work. Removing the booster allows for much better clutch feel and less stalling.

You should call the dealer back and and ask which/whose IMS bearing they installed. As far as I am aware, Porsche does not sell the bearing as a separate part for dealer install, but some dealers DO install the LN bearing.

I also have a 2002 Targa. Mine has 67k on it and the original clutch and bearing. I was quoted $2,200 for a new clutch, ims bearing and rms. Should I request that my mechanic use a bearing from LN Engineering?

I asked the dealer if they installed an LN Engineering bearing, and he said definitely not. My IMS was replaced in 2006 and they just recently started installing installing the LN bearings. I'll call the dealer back to see if I can glean any more information from the IMS installation.

In response to the clutch heaviness, it's not insanely heavy, its just heavier than anything I've driven before and annoying when stuck in traffic. Also heavy enough to make it hard to get a smooth takeoff from a stop (been driving stick for 14 years). When I still thought the car was on the original clutch with a heavy pedal, I thought it was a sign of a failing clutch, but now I'm thinking it might be a missing assist spring or something else. Will attempt to get in and check the spring tonight.

Ok, so I just got off the phone with the dealer to clarify, and this is what he's telling me was done in 2006 at 49k miles (currently have 80k): 1. Clutch kit: pressure plate, disc and release bearing 2. Rear main seal was replaced 3. Intermediate shaft seal was replaced I haven't heard an intermediate shaft seal, do you think this could mean the IMS bearing? Or is there actually an IMS seal?

You'll find that a 996 clutch actually gets a little bit light as it starts to fail, not heavy. If your clutch is heavy, that's probably a good thing! The intermediate shaft seal is not the same as the intermediate shaft bearing. The intermediate shaft seal is often replaced when the rear main seal is replaced. It's inexpensive and easy to access when you change the RMS.

Quotes source post: 10786062

Nope, it appears you are on your original bearing. Glad you clarified. That being said, if it's good so far it will *probably* be fine but what do I know... Given the option of changing it with an upcoming clutch job at minimal extra expense (besides the bearing itself), most here would probably do it. If however it now appears that you do not need a clutch, well, then you have to decide for yourself. That being said , if you do any of it, (Clutch, IMSB, RMS, etc) I think most here would also do all of them including the AOS as a "while you're in there" type of thing. One labor charge, 4 different things if not even more...

If you have the large single bearing it requires an engine takeapart to replace it. The LNE site has a section that describes what model years have what bearing type.

I am not even certain the LN replacement bearing existed in 2006. And even if it did, a Porsche dealer certainly would have installed an OEM bearing in those days.

When I had my LNE IMS retrofit done, my Indy put a sticker with the serial # of the bearing on my Driver's Manual. That, in addition to the invoice is proof to the lucky buyer of my excellently maintained car that the IMS has been replaced.