Heres my problem,

I got a freshly rebuilt 12a trying to start for the first time.. and I must have done something wrong in the ignition because it's not starting, and the cranking RPMs show between 4000-5000 which is totally wrong..

what might I have done wrong?

 

did you change your coils or add a tach. It sounds as if you've swapped your leading and trailing.

 

First i was trying with my 2nd gen coil, but decided to switch back to the stock ignition to make sure something isn't wrong...

I have the "leading" coil (the one sticking out slightly more) wired up with the black connectors, and the trailing coil (appears shorter) with the blue..

the only thing i'm not sure about is the ignitors.. should I try swapping these connectors? i have no way of telling which one is which

 

I must be honest, it's been a while since I played with A 1st gen and don't remember wire color. I do know that your leading coil is the one toward the rear. Trailing being the one closest to the front of the car. Get a haynes manual or look here for a wiring diagram for wire colors. I'm assuming the colors you'rs refering to are the shrink wrap and not the insulation. Also, the harness should lay so that hook-up is obvious providing nothing has been altered. Hooking up the 2nd gen coils would require knowledge of the pin-out at the connector, with that knowledge you wouldn't be having a problem.

 

You also have a resistor pack just below the coils that may not be hooked up. If this is dis connected there are some wires that need to be jumped.