This is my first attempt at building an engine myself. As for the mod history/plans for the car, it was a stock 87 GXL and a broken exhaust stud was cause for rebuild. It was snapped off and couldn't be drilled out and would have needed a new housing. The parts I used in the build were: the orignal rotating assembly (s4 N/A rotors, e-shart, counterweights), S4 NA rotor housings, s4 turbo irons, s5 turbo intake manifolds, aftermarket manifold and turbo (works ok for now), stock afm and map sensor, s4 vert ecu, safc II, and the bov vents to atmosphere until I can figure out where to get an hks ssqv recirc fitting. Wastegate is set for 8psi. So far I've got it started, idling, and drove it around my storage lot. I haven't set the timing yet and I have a bac yet I suspect it isn't doing anything for my idle. With I piston engine compression tester I get 3 even bounces at 60 or so psi on each rotor and a reading of just above 90 with the check valve closed. I'll try and get the timing set once I get a chance, but in the meantime I'd appreciate any advice on getting this thing running smooth. I'm not looking for huge power (at least not yet lol) and just want it to be reliable. Only things I may really add to the setup is an intercooler spray kit.

 

You said it yourself... You need to have the timing set. And put the BAC back... it REALLY REALLY helps the engine start and idle.

 

I have the bac installed but when I turn the adjustment screw it doesn't seem to affect anything. I blew my main fuse somehow and I don't have enough gas left to mess around with it until I get back in 3 weeks so I'll leave her on punishment til then lol.

 

i'm surprised it starts if you only got 60psi of cranking compression.

why do you want to recirculate the SSQV? kind of defeats the whole purpose of spending $200 on a blowoff valve.

 

Recirc for now because A) I still have an AFM and B) because I don't need or really want the world to know I'm boosted. Had an idiot in a vette spin out and wreck right in front of me because he just "had to be faster" and I was even in my truck at the time. I'd rather not give people more reason to try to involve me in stupid street races since most people here can't drive for **** and I'd rather not have my car wrecked because some idiot wants to prove a point only they care about.

 

What should my numbers look like for cranking compression? From what I read on Rotary Resurrection's site, I should be seeing 3 even bounces of 30-35 psi per rotor. I was also alone and throttle was not open at all nor was my battery fully charged. It was my understanding that it would take a little bit for the engine to build compression after a rebuild and this test was done before the engine was actually started. The results may be better now since I've actually gotten the car to run for a bit but since I'll be gone for 3 weeks I won't know until then.

 

So I had a free day finally and made an attempt to set the timing. I got the leading side fairly close to spot on but it still idles a bit on the high side at roughly 1k which my safc II sees as 2300ish rpms. When I went over to the trailing side it was way off. I couldn't see the timing mark at all. I don't think my bac is working because I can't do anything with it to adjust Idle and I think I may have a sticky throttle also.