1996 lude si

Ok so i've got the h23a3 in my 1996 si right now... will not start... i have spark... fuel... timing....compression...ect... All the grounds are hooked up. All the sensors are hooked up. It wants to start as it will fire and spit and sputter but die... The firing order is supposeably correct. I've used the distributor off my USDM motor and basically all that is left of the jdm or edm one is the block and head... Everything is hooked up and i am getting spark... The only way we can get it to run is to swap cylinder #4 and #1 wires around on the distributor and then it will turn over and fire... it runs like complete crap and will back fire... am I missing something? we've redone the timing quite a few times.... the only thing i did not replace on the timing side is the water pump so it does still have the h23a3 water pump...i'm at a stand still and completely stumped... I've tried doing a 180 rotate with the distributor but it only goes in one way... its like the fin pieces on the shaft only fit in one way... any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks