i have recently just had forgies put in, big end bearings and all my gasgets replaced. Now I took it easy for around 1200k's running standard boost and now I have some issues. I wound the boost up to 9psi just for starters and was driving it around a bit and was giving it little hits and I found that it was spooling up but I wasn't getting any power. At first I thought it was lag as I have a front mount and the piping is quite long, but then as I got to around 5k rpm I still wasn't getting full power. Can somone please shed some light on this for me cause it's getting awfully dark around me. This is really disheartening.
Also, Compression is fine.
Could it be the way we have set up all the little things?

hmm, sounds like its running lean to me, careful if it is becuase you can bag your engine. is it getting enough fuel? do you need bigger jets when turboing an a series? I dunno, maybe someone else can answer this, ask ddgonzal, he is a datsun genious, just like most of the guys around here.

Have you checked all the piping for leaks. Even a small leak will be making a fair difference in power.

Also, what are you using to wind up the boost?

I know very little about turbos ... but was wondering if the engine was running smooth and 'right' other than not seeming to make as much power as expected?

It helps to know all the variables.
Between when it went good and now. What has been changed? Whats been done or fiddled with?
You wound the boost up to 9psi. Does this mean a boost guage was actually reading 9psi or you only intend to boost it to 9psi but it still didnt make boost? You said the turbo is spooling up. Do you say this only because you can hear it, Or the boost guage is telling you this?
Are you running standard computer or aftermarket ecu and ignition?
How well did it run when you were running it in?
Is Cam timming out?
Just pistons , bearings and gaskets wont do this.

My bet is the timing is retarded is the exhuast manifold running really hot???Another thing to check is the cam timing might be out a tooth. I had this happen to me was fine off boost but power was really flat even with 15psi fixed the timing and made an extra 80 hp at the wheels!!!
Also what kinda computer are you using?? factory or programable?? could maybe be the tune
Cheers Andrew

It's hard to define the variables, when I bought it it was only running three cylinders.
9PSI is what I intended to run and going off the gauge it sat just under. You can hear the turbo just and feel a slight power increase. the ECU is standard and I have just found that the timing is out. Can the timing out by a little make such a dramatic difference in power?
I didn't really notice this when I was running it in as I wasn't giving it much at all.
It's running lean on occasion too, what does bagging the engine mean?
How would I know if it happened?

Quote:Yes. If the timing belt is off one tooth, you won't get much power. Even if the timing is off only 5 degrees you'll feel a big difference.

Quote:If the engine pings (knocks), with boost even a little bit ... you could break or melt a piston. So listen very carefully.

I just want to thank everyone who has shed some ligt on this subject for me.
I am going to see about this weekend and will let you guys know the outcome.
Once again thanks.