I have a 97 Boxster, which I love and to which I’ve done an LN Engineering intermediate shaft (IMS) bearing upgrade, the rear main seal (RMS) update and replaced the air-oil separator. I enjoy driving it, but after reading “Tech Forum: M96 Water Pumps” in Excellence #202, I’ve grown paranoid of the original plastic-impeller water pump failing and ruining my great running and over-maintained engine. Apparently, pieces of the plastic impeller break off, then circulate and jam cooling passages, creating a localized hot spot and cracking the block. This apparently happens silently and without warning. The lead tech at my local Porsche dealership told me that since my car’s water pump is not leaking or making noise or leaking, to just leave well enough alone. Despite this, I’m going to upgrade the pump, which brings me to my question: if factory Porsche replacement water pumps still have plastic impellers, would it not be wiser to install an aftermarket water pump with a metal impeller, such as the one made by GEBA?