how hard is it to do, and how much would i be looking to spend if i had a shop do it? VE motor...

 

Depends how much you know about motors and/or hands on experiance. Not very hard to do if you have the right tools and an engine stand. My guess is a shop will rape you for $$$.

 

It's probably the most labor intensive job in the motor.
it's not hard to do, just takes lots of time.

 

Once you can set the timing (which is a REAL pain in the a$$) it really isn't that hard. I can walk you through it if you want. It will talk anywhere from 12-18 hours for you seeing that this is your first time.

 

If you are going through the trouble of replacing the rings, you might as well do a lot of other stuff, too.

You would basically be taking apart the engine, so you might as well upgrade some things.

I know a really good mechanic in Meridian, but I don't think he would work on an import.

 

car looks good and runs fine, spent alot of time and money on it. I can do alot of things mechanically, but never taken a motor apart. put in a clutch before but thats propably the longest job, not the hardest, Ive done. I think Im going to just live with it, im sure the rings are worn but its nothing noticeable other than the extra carbon buildup. I'm going to do minor maintenance and keep it as long as it runs, then sell it and buy a new maxima...if I ever see a VE-5 with good VTC i'll be all over it, swap all my stuff over, then turbo it. ima keep dreaming tho. thanks guys

 

how many miles on the engine?