Straight Talk about the IMS Bearing in the M-96 and M-97 Engine

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Those 3 letters stand for something big – Intermediate Shaft (IMS). There has been much talk and information about it on the internet, some of it actually true, most just stories by people who have had a bad experience. Here are the nuts and bolts of it.

Porsche is no stranger to the IMS. Porsche has been using an IMS for along time. The 547 Carrera engine had one, in fact every 911 ever built has one. In the early engines, the IMS is known as a “layshaft” and does not present issues, even though it had the exact same job as the current IMS in regard to driving the camshafts. The problem is not the IMS but the IMSB (Intermediate Shaft Bearing) in the M96 and M97 engines. 

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Corner Entry

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A few months ago I had the opportunity to take a first drive in the new 991. This particular car was a Carrera S, equipped with PDK. The venue was not the street, but (as deemed by some), the best track in the world, Watkins Glen International. I would drive several laps to show my student around the track prior to him taking the wheel. Life is sometimes tough – I would drive the car for the sole benefit of my student, but I certainly would not enjoy it.

 

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Tracking Out

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“Hey there!” I said cheerfully as I approached black Cayman S. The white group driver was already strapped into his car and looked a little confused about why I was approaching him, helmet in hand, and asking how his day was going.

Once in a while, right smack dab in the middle of a perfectly good driver education event, we shake things up a bit and do something called a “white blitz.” For the uninitiated following along at home, white group drivers are our first “solo” run group, meaning that they are not assigned instructors at events. Once in a while, though, we like to do a check up. Instructors randomly get into white run group students’ cars, usually without warning, as they prepare to pit out for a run group. Sneaky? Maybe. But the element of surprise is sometimes fun. Sometimes.

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Robb Francis Sports Cars – Concours on the Green

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The scene was set for one of the most picturesque concours events NNJR has ever hosted. Our stunning venue was the beautiful estate of Robb Francis in Bernardsville NJ. The five acres of manicured lawns accented by a serene pond provided a back drop that most concours organizers could only dream about. As the sound of big band jazz music filled the air from the speakers around the resort like pool, the stage was set for another NNJR block buster.

The key to any great concours event is the weather. This was the one element not in our favor. The forecast was for apocalyptic thunder and hail storms to blanket the area at any given time. Both Hank and I were getting phone calls from concours participants voicing their concerns about the dismal forecast. Nevertheless, by 8:30am the crowd started to file in. Almost everyone who pulled up had a tale of sour weather to tell. But upon arrival at our tranquil estate for the day, all concerns were quickly alleviated.

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The History of Autocross

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Hi gang. By the time you read this we will have completed most of our events for the year with 1 or 2 left. While I was contemplating about what to write for this article, I starting thinking about where and when did Autocross start and I wonder if Autocross is the same around the world? Well, a little bit of research led to more and then some more… You get the picture. So here is a very condensed version of what I was able to find out thus far.

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Concours 2012 – NNJR 55th Celebration Wrap Up

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It is hard to believe; 75 Porsches on display, perfect weather, and over 550 NNJR members in one location. Sounds like a recreation of a German car equivalent of Woodstock, but in reality it was one epic celebration of NNJR’s 55th year in existence.

As the 8:00am hour rolled around, I pulled up to Harbor Hills Day Camp in Mendham to be greeted by Warren Gisser and Hank Menkes ready to get the event started. The weather could have not been more perfect. As we set up the display field, we optimistically prepared for a showing of 60 Porsches ranging in age from 1951 all the way to present day.

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NNJR Nominating Committee Announcement

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NOTICE OF THE 2012 ANNUAL MEETING AND ELECTION OF 2013 OFFICERS AND GOVERNORS Pursuant to the Bylaws, notice is hereby given that the November Monthly Meeting, Wednesday, November 14, 2012, is designated the Region’s Annual Business Meeting. The agenda for the Annual Meeting is as follows: Election of Officers and Governors for the calendar year […]

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Tracking Out, How hard can this be?

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I carefully move the shifter through the gates before I start the engine, a dress rehearsal for the opportunity I am about to have. Reverse up and to the left? Check. The 1-2 shift seems easy enough, and 3rd gear is spaced perfectly. Piece of cake.

            Turning the key, the engine comes to life with a loud bark, and immediately settles into a turbine-smooth rumble. Foot on clutch, shifter eased gently into first, left pedal out slightly, right pedal in slightly, the revs build and….stall. Hmmm. Let me try that again. Vroom…snick…stall.

            “Don’t feel so bad,” chides the Paul Miller rep with a smile. “You cannot start this car normally. You have to gently let out the clutch until it starts to catch, and then let it out a little further until the car starts to roll.” I start to try his approach before my brain kicks in again, pushes the right pedal, and stalls the car. One more time, and I am going to follow the directions to the letter, for better or for worse. I lift the clutch, the car starts to roll, I lift it a little more, and I am off! I squeeze the gas a bit, and finally, I am actually driving a Porsche Carrera GT. (copy editor’s note: I heard from a reliable source that some small petite lady (my daughter) after hearing that all of the male drivers stalled the Carrera GT had no problem and did not stall it. She is still giggling about it.)

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A Cup Car in Sprint Cup Land

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The tale of how a NNJR PCA guy and die-hard road racing fan found himself surrounded by thousands of NASCAR fans, and lived to tell about it.

             This adventure started with a message from fellow NNJR instructor Scott Lynn: “Let’s have lunch.” Great idea. I knew that Scott had been working on starting his new charity for the benefit of amateurs who are injured in motorsports activities, and I am interested in hearing how that is going. Turns out that Scott had been invited on short notice to set up a trailer at the June Pocono 400 event to introduce the Motorsport Rehabilitation Foundation to NASCAR fans. Really cool. Let me know if you need any help…

            As a draw for fans, Scott and co-founder Michele Randall had the idea to display a vintage stock car racer associated with the old Flemington track. Great idea!

            A day later – Thursday – my phone rang. “We need to be at Pocono tomorrow afternoon and the race car deal fell through. We need something else to draw fans to our tent. Any chance you could bring your Cup Car?” “Sure, but it’s a Porsche, it has nothing to do with NASCAR.” A check with Pocono confirmed that this was indeed a “Chevrolet Event,” no other cars welcome. But “Oh wait, it’s a race car? No problem.” What had I just gotten myself into? 

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The DIY Workshop

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Summer has fully arrived and for concours enthusiasts, that means that our annual “Do It Yourself Concours Workshop” was again part of our concours agenda. Ray Catena Porsche generously agreed to host this event at their outstanding service facility in Edison, NJ on June 3rd. 

Despite erroneous reports on the local radio station that Route 1 was closed in both directions at the Route 287 exit as a result of an overturned tanker truck, over forty members showed up for this workshop ready and eager to learn the tips, techniques and secrets of proper Porsche car care from our celebrated team of concours experts. With our club’s emphasis on recruiting new members, it was encouraging to see a number of new faces interested in proper Porsche care.

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