- Porsche Boxster 987 2.7L 2005 -08/08
- Porsche Boxster 987 S 3.2/3.4L 2005-08/08
IMS Bearing Upgrade Kit with Full Ancillaries – Essential Protection for Early Porsche 987.1 Boxster, Manual with M96 Engines
This IMS bearing upgrade kit is
engineered for early Porsche 987.1 Boxster / Boxster S manual models equipped with the M96
engine, providing a reliable solution to one of the platform’s most
well-known weak points—the original intermediate shaft bearing. The kit
includes the upgraded IMS bearing along with all required ancillaries,
such as exhaust clamps, sleeves, installation hardware, seals and mounting
components, ensuring a complete and efficient upgrade process.
Fits:
- Porsche Boxster 987 2.7L 2005-2006
- Porsche Boxster 987 S 3.2L 2005-2006
The IMS (Intermediate Shaft) bearing supports the rotating shaft that drives the camshafts. In early M96 engines, the bearing design is prone to wear, lubrication issues and seal degradation, which can lead to sudden catastrophic engine failure. Upgrading to this improved bearing system significantly enhances longevity, durability and lubrication stability, giving 987.1 Boxster owners peace of mind and extended engine life.
What This IMS Bearing Upgrade Kit Does
This kit provides:
- A
reinforced, upgraded IMS bearing assembly designed to replace the
vulnerable early M96 version
- Higher
load capacity for improved resistance to wear
- Enhanced
lubrication performance, reducing friction and heat
- A
complete installation set including clamps, hardware, gaskets and
sleeves
- Protection
against bearing collapse, a leading cause of engine failure
- A smoother, more stable camshaft drive Long-term engine reliability, particularly important for daily and spirited driving
Perfect for professional workshops or specialists performing preventative maintenance on early 987.1 manual engines.
Why IMS Bearings Fail in Early Porsche M96 Engines
The early design is susceptible to:
- Lubrication
wash-out, causing bearing overheating
- Seal
deterioration, resulting in grease loss
- Contaminants entering the bearing housing
- High
RPM vibration, accelerating fatigue
- Axial
and radial load stress, beyond what the original bearing can handle
- Age-related failure, especially above 50–80k miles
Often, the engine gives little or no warning before failure.
Why the IMS Bearing Should Be Upgraded on 987.1 Boxster
Replacing the original bearing with the upgraded
99610590102EPS kit ensures:
- Greatly reduced risk of catastrophic engine failure
- Smoother engine operation and increased longevity
- Better lubrication and thermal management
- A complete installation with all necessary ancillaries
- Confidence for long-term ownership
- Improved reliability for both road use and track driving
This upgrade is widely regarded as critical preventative maintenance for Porsche M96-powered 987.1 models.
Related reference numbers
Related, superseded, cross reference or alternative numbers for comparison.
IMSKIT987MAN.1
The product you are viewing cross references to these numbers
This kit is comprised of the following items: