How do I tell if my car has updated IMS or can you help me to find out?
#16
Yes, put your VIN in the link v35 provided but you should have an M97 engine like mine which has the updated IMS.
The only issue with the M97 is you can't easily fit the IMS retrokit LN engineering do as it requires a complete strip down to change the IMS on a M97 I think, maybe v35 can confirm this.
The only issue with the M97 is you can't easily fit the IMS retrokit LN engineering do as it requires a complete strip down to change the IMS on a M97 I think, maybe v35 can confirm this.
Helpful IMS Link:
http://www.lnengineering.com/ims.html
#17
When I went through the threads regarding the ims issue, most recommended the motul 300v as the ideal engine oil to use.
They are in the expensive side but I'd do it just for the peace of mind
They are in the expensive side but I'd do it just for the peace of mind
#18
I used to use that in my Mustang running 600BHP, was great oil, so be happy to put it in the Porsche.
#19
v35
I've just checked a 2005 car which definetely has the older IMS as it was built September 2004, so an early build, but on the link you provided it still says the engine is an M97:-
http://www.autoatlanta.com/life/vin/...ZZZ99Z5S731692
Based on this what is it thats determining whether or not you've got an updated IMS as the engine type seems the same on all?
Is it a case of the model year you go off to determine what IMS you have?
I've just checked a 2005 car which definetely has the older IMS as it was built September 2004, so an early build, but on the link you provided it still says the engine is an M97:-
http://www.autoatlanta.com/life/vin/...ZZZ99Z5S731692
Based on this what is it thats determining whether or not you've got an updated IMS as the engine type seems the same on all?
Is it a case of the model year you go off to determine what IMS you have?
#20
v35
I've just checked a 2005 car which definetely has the older IMS as it was built September 2004, so an early build, but on the link you provided it still says the engine is an M97:-
http://www.autoatlanta.com/life/vin/...ZZZ99Z5S731692
Based on this what is it thats determining whether or not you've got an updated IMS as the engine type seems the same on all?
Is it a case of the model year you go off to determine what IMS you have?
I've just checked a 2005 car which definetely has the older IMS as it was built September 2004, so an early build, but on the link you provided it still says the engine is an M97:-
http://www.autoatlanta.com/life/vin/...ZZZ99Z5S731692
Based on this what is it thats determining whether or not you've got an updated IMS as the engine type seems the same on all?
Is it a case of the model year you go off to determine what IMS you have?
#21
From my past research, I believe all of the 3.8 'S' cars have the M97 engine designation. It's the 3.6 non-S that started as M96's and then switched to M97 when they started building them with the revised bearing. The determining factor is model year, and more specifically build date. I can't think of ever seeing a set build date cutoff for the 05 models for when they switched to the revised bearing, so if you don't have an early 05' such September 2004-Feb/March 2005 build dates it's going to be very difficult to tell what bearing the car has until it is actually opened up. In those cases, it wouldn't be cost beneficial to go in there and pay for the labor just to open it up and check. It's usually done when an RMS needs to be changed or the clutch is ready for a change. That way, you're hardly paying for any labor at all to have the bearing checked for which version the car has, and if it is the older bearing, then you can have the retrofit done.
As mine is a 2006 model car means I definetely have the updated IMS then?
#24
Wonder if mine is with the update or not?
Last edited by Vladm; 07-04-2011 at 01:33 PM.
#25
Same here. I've read all sorts if conflicting info over the last year about this topic. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that we probably do not have the update. If anyone can prove us wrong, please do!
#26
Keep changing the oil and filter, pray for the best!
#27
I think you go more of you cars model year than the engine type.
My car has the 3.8l engine so even the 2004 cars have the M97 engine but thats the engine designation, so all years say M97 until you get to the newer gen 2 DFI engines.
Its only 2006 model year cars that got the uprated IMS.
I would suspect that all 3.6l car have the M96 engine, even 2007/2008 cars, so again you need to go of the cars model year which again would be 2006 model year cars and later will have uprated IMS.
2005 model year cars, well thats harder to know without a visual inspection as it could be either as only later 2005 model year cars had the update I believe?
Last edited by Gibbo205; 07-04-2011 at 01:54 PM.
#28
I think you go more of you cars model year than the engine type.
My car has the 3.8l engine so even the 2004 cars have the M97 engine but thats the older engine.
Its only 2006 model year cars that got the uprated IMS.
I would suspect that all 3.6l car have the M96 engine, even 2007/2008 cars, so again you need to go of the cars model year which again would be 2006 model year cars and later will have uprated IMS.
2005 model year cars, well thats harder to know without a visual inspection as it could be either as only later 2005 model year cars had the update I believe?
My car has the 3.8l engine so even the 2004 cars have the M97 engine but thats the older engine.
Its only 2006 model year cars that got the uprated IMS.
I would suspect that all 3.6l car have the M96 engine, even 2007/2008 cars, so again you need to go of the cars model year which again would be 2006 model year cars and later will have uprated IMS.
2005 model year cars, well thats harder to know without a visual inspection as it could be either as only later 2005 model year cars had the update I believe?
#29
A magnetic drain plug is nice, but not necessary. You can easily inspect the oil filter (cut it open and lay it out) with each oil change.
In my case, I did that with each change, as I do all my own oil changes. I used Mobil1 15W-50, and changed the oil every 4-5,000 miles. I never had any metal shavings whatsoever, and no "death rattle" either.
My IMS bearing failed without warning, leading to catastrophic engine failure. Not good, but other than a retro-fit there wasn't anything I could do.
Hope people take this seriously on the issue prone early '05 engines. Wish I had done the LN upgrade 2 weeks ago, hope not to hear of more people who have the same trouble I had.
CATTMAN
In my case, I did that with each change, as I do all my own oil changes. I used Mobil1 15W-50, and changed the oil every 4-5,000 miles. I never had any metal shavings whatsoever, and no "death rattle" either.
My IMS bearing failed without warning, leading to catastrophic engine failure. Not good, but other than a retro-fit there wasn't anything I could do.
Hope people take this seriously on the issue prone early '05 engines. Wish I had done the LN upgrade 2 weeks ago, hope not to hear of more people who have the same trouble I had.
CATTMAN
#30
A magnetic drain plug is nice, but not necessary. You can easily inspect the oil filter (cut it open and lay it out) with each oil change.
In my case, I did that with each change, as I do all my own oil changes. I used Mobil1 15W-50, and changed the oil every 4-5,000 miles. I never had any metal shavings whatsoever, and no "death rattle" either.
My IMS bearing failed without warning, leading to catastrophic engine failure. Not good, but other than a retro-fit there wasn't anything I could do.
Hope people take this seriously on the issue prone early '05 engines. Wish I had done the LN upgrade 2 weeks ago, hope not to hear of more people who have the same trouble I had.
CATTMAN
In my case, I did that with each change, as I do all my own oil changes. I used Mobil1 15W-50, and changed the oil every 4-5,000 miles. I never had any metal shavings whatsoever, and no "death rattle" either.
My IMS bearing failed without warning, leading to catastrophic engine failure. Not good, but other than a retro-fit there wasn't anything I could do.
Hope people take this seriously on the issue prone early '05 engines. Wish I had done the LN upgrade 2 weeks ago, hope not to hear of more people who have the same trouble I had.
CATTMAN