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Just an update to say that the CTS and its connector were replaced with no change. Have yet to double-check timing or replace the fuel injector connectors. We'll post updates when we get these done to confirm whether they are the source of the problem.

Thanks for the replies! I forgot to mention I did the spark plug wires. All of the connectors on the car have the green corrosion. If it's not an injector connector, what other connections/sensors should I be looking at? Some candidates I was wondering about: TPS, Crank position sensor, the engine temp which you guys mentioned, others? The check engine light is not on. The car sounds wrong as soon as it starts - it runs with a noticeable thump-thump-thump (no metallic sound though) and it stays that way warm or cold, driving or idling. The power is low at low speeds and improves at higher speeds, but even at highway speed it isn't right - the turbo immediately kicks in when you want to accelerate. Compression test results: Cylinder 1: 108 Cylinder 3: 113 Cylinder 2: 112 Cylinder 4: 120 And it's probably worth mentioning that this is my boyfriend's car, so you can address me as "she"

Hey all, I have an 86 Turbo XT (EA82) that's had some serious power issues lately. The engine seems like not all cylinders are firing. The car pulses/shakes back and forth at idle, and almost seems like it's going to backfire. It struggles to start from a stop or climb even the slightest of hills - I often find that it doesn't start really moving till the turbo kicks in or I apply wide open throttle. However, it's fine on flat roads above 35 mph. I checked the timing with a timing light - it's apparently correct. I checked the spark plugs, they were all sparking, but I decided to replace them anyways. I replaced the cap and rotor. I replaced the O2 sensor. I ran a compression test - everything tested consistently. I found that the fuel injector connectors were corroded, so I've ordered new connectors that I will wire in. I figured the culprit was a bad connection and that a cylinder wasn't getting any fuel. I also ran seafoam through it in case an injector was clogged. When it was smoking from the seafoam, I noticed some coming up out of the engine around the turbo. I don't think it's related, but there's an exhaust leak somewhere. Today I took off the PCV valve on passenger side (the side that seems to be running funny) and it stank of fuel. The valve on the other side didn't. Do I actually have a blown head gasket?