Low Compression Results (Help Diagnose Please)

[BaadVR4]

You said you didn't check the crank timing mark? The crank timing mark is just as important as the cam marks, so I would check it also. You said it idled and ran okay last time it was running, right? If that is the case, the engine should be okay. I would zero the timing, then re-check the compression. If the compression comes back to something reasonable, then the rings/valves/etc are not bent/broken. Quick, cheap way to check current status of engine internals without full disassembly.

I have had more than a few cases of timing belts getting loose. Most recently, I had a freshly built motor act just like yours. Timing belt had come loose and slipped a tooth. After resetting timing marks and re-tensioning the belt, engine had great compression and ran fine. Just sayin'.

[green-lantern]

Its possible your tensioner collapsed and caused the issue.

+1, sounds like a bad tensioner.

[green-lantern]

I know if you start the car it should tighten up the belt, but I just don't like that much play.

Oh and DO NOT start that car until you fix that belt/tensioner.

[familyMAN]

Put the crank to TDC, then look at your cam gears.

And like everyone else is saying, reset timing and check compression.

[BlackSpyderVR4]

To reset the crank, I just need to remove the plastic shield, wheel, and balancer and I can crank it right? If I have to pull the motor mount, etc, I just don't want to do this in my apartment parking lot. I will fill a lot more confident doing this in my garage once i move in.

[green-lantern]

To reset the crank, I just need to remove the plastic shield, wheel, and balancer and I can crank it right? If I have to pull the motor mount, etc, I just don't want to do this in my apartment parking lot. I will fill a lot more confident doing this in my garage once i move in.

Pretty much, but You will most likely need a tensionor just to get it sort of safe to start. If you don't know how to set time or much about it then I don't recommend you doing it in a parking lot. If I had a dollar for every guy that screwed up their 3s timing I'd have a 3sec car.

[green-lantern]

BTW if you mean "crank it" as in letting the starter turn the engine then NO. God stop! before you destroy poor engine.

[familyMAN]

You are in TX, plenty of members in the state that can help you or point you to a good shop that can. That would be the direction I would suggest at this point.

[BlackSpyderVR4]

By cranking no I was not referring to the starter. Im talking about turning the crank 1 tooth from TDC by hand so I can realign all the timing marks correctly. I know how to reset the timing have done it several times on other cars and pretty sure I did enough research on this car to be able to reset the timing on the VR4. But at this point in the game I should just wait to I move to the new house. I will probably just flatbed the car to the new house. Because Im redoing the 60k service. I know the previous owner redid the water pump, but i just want the peace of mind knowing it was done right. What I could use is help me start compiling a list of things I need for the rebuild.

Pistons:
Rings:
Pins:
Rods:
Bearings:
AC Delete (New Belt):
ABS Delete:
Timing Belt:
Water Pump:
Oil Pump (Maybe???)-
Tensioner:
Wires/Plugs (Good Spark Plug for 450-500WHP??):
Gasekets:
water meth kit:
Head Lift Fix (Should I????)

So Ill be taking suggestions on parts and where to get them. Im in the process of digging all around the online shops. But I do not have near as much time in this platform as you gentlemen.

All the stuff I already have from page 1:

Aftermarket Parts:
Fuel Loop
3SX Custom Fuel Kit
Tanabe CBE
Aftermarket Boost Gauge
Light Weight Flywheel
Spec Stg 1 Clutch
99 Lifters
DP
EGR Delete
Krank Vents
LC-1 Standalone
T-Case Bracket
Solid Motor mounts (not installed)
Cloned ECU
482 EVO MAF
Mishimoto Performance Radiator w/hoses
550CC Lucas Injectors
Walbro 40 E85 Fuel Pump w/hotwire (not installed)
Dual Core FMIC
Hallman MBC
TB rebuilt by April
S15 Billet Turbos (not installed)

[98slept]

your one hour south of Dynamic Racing in Alamagordo,NM . just take it there and be done with it. Worry free