ok, i'm burning oil pretty badly now...here is a breakdown of the situation- it started last week, and was only a very slight hint of smoke from the exhaust....i went on an 800 mile trip last weekend, and yesterday i noticed that the burn has gotten very bad. its not bottom end related, i comp checked and everything there is 100% perfect....ok, so it doesn't smoke while cold only after it has gotten up to temp....so where should i start?? i was thinking of 3 possibilities- turbo, valve seals or headgasket....i don't think its the HG, no signs of coolant in the oil or poor idle.....so how can i test the turbo and valve seals??

Valve seals "should" cause a loss in compression. it could be your turbo is going south...how many miles are on it? unless its a LOT, then it shouldnt be the problem, but anything is possible i guess.
www.TeamKLR.com
1997 Silver RS
Wiseco 8.8:1 Pistons(back to low compression!)
Eagle Rods
T3/T4 Turbo
Custom FMIC
Greddy Exhaust
440's
Most current 1/8th mile time: 8.3@90mph 2.015 60'(Nitto Drag radials, i suck)

turbo has maybe 1500 miles on it...i hope to shit its not that..hehe....ok so i have no loss in compression...damnit....time to start ripping the engine appart..poo

I don't think your seals would cause a loss in compression. If it were you rings then you would have a loss in compression. The problem is more then likely your seals and you are going to have to replace them. If you had any head work planned now would be the time to accomplish this. You may want to checkk are your spark plugs for oil on the bottom side of them. I am suffering fomr this now and i am waiting to do this project...saving up the money for a top end rebuild to do this all at once.

damn that sucks.

well, if you need a hand, ill be there when you need me, just let me know. :thumbsup

jim mcnight machine shop here in charleston did my headwork a while back and they have great prices/service/etc. they did a full valve job/headgasket/belts/everything else that comes along with it for about 900 bucks.