I agree with the sentiments on the exhaust. I've heard that in person (another car, not yours) and it's obnoxious. I'd go with a RB catback single or dual tip as a start.

As for the comp numbers, when my car was throwing two bumps at -0.5 compared to the other one, I tore down the engine and found a cracked apex seal (no parts missing).

Maybe a cracked seal, maybe the tester wasn't screwed in nicely, whatever. I own my own comp tester (old style paper grapher type) and the same engine can give different results on different days... sometimes you get a fluke and it looks kinda iffy and you test it 5 minutes later and it's fine.

 

Interesting. I hope it's not cracked. A digital gauge was used. On your .5 variation, what compression range? 5/6/7? I have 2mm Atkins Apex seals.

As for the exhaust, I was going to start with a resonated midpipe (RX7Store) and an APexi ECV after the midpipe. I am hoping the ECV will allow me to restrict the exhaust DB range to below 93 for the emission testing (and early morning/late night rolling through the neighborhood), and then I can open it back up afterwards. Also the resonated midpipe should help too. I will find out in the next week or so.

 

Those problems are nothing yoy cannot handle. Just give her a bit of time and work and she will be a fine ride.

Treat her well.

 

Well like I was saying, a 0.5 variation doesn't mean 100% anything is wrong at all. Mine were about 7.0s, with some 6.5s.

Since I had the paper-tester, I could see that the pattern was VERY steady:

6.5 6.5 7.0 6.5 6.5 7.0 6.5 6.5 7.0 6.5 6.5 7.0 6.5 6.5 7.0 6.5 6.5 7.0 6.5 6.5 7.0

over and over

the newer digital ones have no way to show this as far as I know. The digital ones just test and spit out three numbers. Are those the maximums? Averages? The last reading off each chamber? I have no idea. This is why I like my old-*** (1974) tester with the paper.

My test hose setup is very long, at least 4 or 5 feet with multiple couplers and adapters, so this tester tends to read a little low. Lower, but consistent.

 

just curious.... is this fd_rey's car? if so, you got a monster and from a very reputable guy.... if not thats crazy since he just sold his car with stock wheels, greddy ti exhaust, and titan motorsports license plate frame. and yes, the car is worth much more than you paid if its his....

nice car.... his car actually pursuaded me to get my fd....

 

Nice on the buy, I got mine shipped from Virginia and luckily all I've spent so far is about 15,500 for a 100K chassis with 10K on reman, and new radiator + AST and master brake cylinder. Second + fifth gear syncho comes later, as does suspension and muffler.