[rbohm]

you can two different types of compression tests, wet and dry.

the dry test is what most people do. check the compression after removing all the plugs.

a wet test is where you squirt some oil into the plug holes, and then run the compression test again. if the readings remain the same, then the problem in something other than the shortblock, usually a blown head gasket or a leaking valve or two. if the readings rise, then the short block needs rebuilding.

as far as finding a T5, you can find them in salvage yards for around $250 for a decent one. there are a number of places that sell rebuilt T5's like hanlon motorsports for example, for around $750. new they run between $1100 and $1300 depending on who is selling them.