Ok I did a b18b engine swap into my 94 civic about 6 months ago. Ever since I have had the engine swap, I have felt that it wasnt making as much power as it should and burning more oil then I should. I noticed I had a lot of oil on my spark plugs so I changed the spark plug seals and that didnt help. Also, my exhaust has burnt oil crap all over then end of it. It only smokes when its first started up and I can hear my engine having a hard time...one its been drivin a while it seems better.
I was thinking that my valve seals were bad so I went and bought some yesterday but I thought I should start with a compression test to see if the valve seals would make a difference. Here are my results.

#1=130psi #2=130psi #3=130psi #4=130psi

I then squirted some oil in each cylinder and retested and got this.

#1=150psi #2=150psi #3=150psi #4=150psi

With both tests and each cylinder, the first crank brought compression up to around 45psi and the pressure built up higher over the next 6 cranks (a total of 7). The above numbers are the last and highest of the cranks.

Im reading that the oil helping is a sign of bad piston rings. So now im confused..any suggestions? Btw the compression should be at 199psi and 135min

 

I assume you are doing a compression test with ALL plugs removed and Wide Open Throttle while cranking?

 

Yes all plugs removed and WOT. BTW I just added this to my post

"With both tests and each cylinder, the first crank brought compression up to around 45psi and the pressure built up over the next 6 cranks (a total of 7). The above numbers are the last and highest of the cranks."

 

Yes, adding oil and compression going up indicates worn rings.

Have you tried a leak down test? Although the numbers are low above, normally you have to look at compression rations of 10% or more off between cylinders. Since yours are all the same, it might not hurt to do a leak down test with each cylinder at TDC and engine secured.

 

Im trying to get ahold of a leak down tester today...or build my own. Does the added oil helping with only 20psi mean that there are other compression problems aside from the piston rings? Remember I had said I thought the car was slower? Would this compression issue result in a major power decrease?

 

was the motor warmed up first? meaning the temp gauge was about half way. also, i usually only take out one plug at a time.

 

you need rings, no way around that, 130psi is very low.

 

all plugs should be out while teasting each cylinder. having the plugs in is kinda like seeing how many pushups you can do..........except theres someone sitting on ur back.

so all plugs out and WOT

 

Alright, so I need new rings. How far should I go with this project? Should I do a full rebuild, all gaskets, bearings, oil pump ect? Or just the rings? I did a couple of price checks and its around $800. Im a little concerned about the price of a full rebuild and if a b18b is worth it..

 

well if you want to be completely sure about the life of the engine then its not a bad idea to do a full rebuild. if you do.......at the very minimum i would use some higher compression pistons.

is a b18b worth building...........IMO yes......but only if its boosted or converted to VTEC. i just dont see the point of building a LS when a GSR or LS/vtec can take you so much further...........or even a B20vtec. and then you have boost which is basically unlimited as far as potential goes(within reason)

 

you do compression test when the engine is cold to the touch. most accurate

 

you might as well do bearings, the rods will be out anyways, oil pump eh i would just for peace of mind. main seals for sure.
i would also replace the valve seals, and gaskets.

 

I may do the bottom end and wait untill I get a vtec head for the top end...Should I use all OEM gaskets or are felpro gaskets good? ...Im currently a little low on funds.