Timing Off?

Nothing wrong with being a newbie. What you are experiencing is turbo lag. Most all of the turbo cars start to pull good by 3k so what you feel is normal. Some come on faster, but that all depends on mods, tune, ect.
To check your cam/crank timing do the following.
Pull all the plugs so the motor will turn over w/ less effort. Turn the crank bolt until you find top dead center on your trans. window. It should read zero when you are there. Now remove your top cam cover and see where the small hole is pointing. It should be around 12 o clock. If It is at 6, rotate the crank around one full revolution to find t.d.c. again. Now with a small mirror place it about 2-3 inches away from the cam pulley. Now lean down and look back into the mirror so you see the cam sprocket holes and the two arrows on the pulley. You will have to move the mirror around some to get a clear view of what I am talking about. The two arrows need to be lined up with the cam tower caps if it is correct. You will see what I am talking about when you do this. If you need more help, let me know.

Thanks.
I'm just a lil worried after reading other post about the cam being a tooth off. Most of them say their car acted the same way mine is or the opposite, great low end power and none at 4500 rpm. It bothers me that its so sluggish while taking off, most other cars are a lot faster on take off than mine. Other people on the forums brag that most other cars get them on launch but its because their spinning their tires through first and second.

My buddy has a 91 shelby and says he can spin his tires in first and second. He has a stock engine and turbo, but has a 2 1/2 inch exhaust and a better comp. He makes a lot of power at low rpms.

He says its probaly because I have an automatic trans (with a shift kit) in mine but I'm still sticking with the timing being off. Other people who put an auto in theirs says their cars all run great.

I also don't have the stock garret turbo, it broke on the last owner so it has a mitsu until I buy a rebuilt and use the garret as a core. I'm only running 12 psi right now and will turn it up when I get my air/fuel meter.