I got a ‘05 R53 with the 6 speed. In the spring I’ll be moving from Las Vegas to Houston and want to keep this vehicle. Right now the plan is to refresh the engine and drive it cross country. In the year that I’ve had this vehicle, I’ve done:
1. supercharger service
2. head refresh with new stem seals, lapped valves, new cams/rockers
3. Head gasket since I was in there.
4. Oil filter housing gasket, crank sensor o ring
5. new tensioner, idler pulley
6. timing chain tensioner

all the work I’ve done myself with the help of google, manual, and most importantly ModMini on YouTube. The more I work on this car, the more I love it.

Recently we decided to move across the country to Houston Texas. I’m thinking I should refresh the engine, however I do not have the equipment or the garage space to remove and completely rebuild an engine. What do you guys think about just doing a ring job and connecting rod bearings while the motor is still in the car? For those who have done this, any advice? Also, is it possible to remove the crank shaft from the bottom?

 

Personally, if your not having Blow-by issues with the rings, I wouldn't even bother.
​​​​​​When I did my rebuild (for performance reasons) at 213k, the rings and cylinder walls were still really good. As long as the oil has been changed appropriately, you should get at least 350k out of the bottom end.

But to your question, yes...
It's absolutely possible, but you won't pull the crank (then you'll have to pull the engine, split the case and do the Mains as well.)
Instead you pull the Head and pan, rod bearings from the bottom, rings from the top.

On a side note, while I drive for a living, and my perspective is skewed, it's only 1500 miles from Vegas to Houston, that's really not that far if the car is running fine.
I'd take the thought of a rebuild of your plate.
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Thank you. When I pulled the head, I did notice the cross hatching was still fairly good. I think I’ll just drop the pan and inspect the rod bearings first to get an idea of the engine’s condition.

 

If the car is currently running fine, the mileage isn’t that far to the new place to worry about getting there. Does the new place have a bigger garage? If you’re hell bent on rebuilding the engine, wait till you get to your destination. Otherwise, just drive it until it dies

 

I’m trying to ensure it not die on the way there. We’re looking for a place now. Wife has certain requirements but all I want is a big garage or at least a long level driveway.

 

Compression check, and oil change, should be good to go. Again, if it’s running fine now and the trip is only ~1500 miles, that really isn’t that far.