So I redid the compression test the RIGHT way...

Well I redid the compression test tonight, this time all 4 plugs were out, and the throttle body was left open. As well as any spark or fuel systems disabled. The results from the first test were (all left to right)

180 - 173 - 165 -180

So I redid them, I added just a half a cap of oil to the 3rd cyc over (165)..and weee bit to the 2nd on over (173). Here were the new results.

190 - 190 - 210 - 195

As you can see, even a half a cap of oil was probaly to much hehe. I think the reason that thrid cyclinder was so low last time was because my friend was the one who cranked the starter AND he held the gas open something I didn't do. That musta changed the reading. That 3rd cyclinder was probaly just fine. So in short all the cyclinders are in alot better shape for a 178,000 mile engine than I thought they were! Just wanted to share.

What would be considered perfect, and what would be considered "time for replacement"?

Check this out - it should answer your question. It looks like Habib's motor is in pretty good shape ;)

Well...so much for swapping the motor out...hmm...better get a turbo or something lol. Thanks for the #'s sastanley!

CRX586 - well what i'm gettin off that chart is that 185 is normal? I've heard 15 psi down from that is still ok. So if you have maybe 1 or 2 cyclinders near or below 170 you should be ok. Anything more in any way...yea i'd maybe start shopping around. And if just one reads really low...like 30...well you know what to do haha.

I'll probably get the compression on my new engine tested once the swap's done. The clip's speedo reads 55,000 km (about 35,000 miles), so it should still be pretty strong....

habib_88:
Hey, I noticed in your profile "MIS Internship" - sounds just like me! What kind of stuff are you learning? Is it a paid internship?

the readings should be from around 180-195psi in each cylinder, your car is doing just fine.