Drove the car home...surprisingly enough the car did drive better; no hicups or shutting off. The problems start when trying to build boost. Still cant get it past 5psi unless I really mash the throttle and then the sputtering and black smoke starts. I couldnt even get it to boost past 5 on the highway in 5th gear! It was like stepping on a brick. It just wouldnt go. The hks bov blows off loud, making me think the car is pushing the air in, but the car will just not make boost. Got her into the garage and pulled the valve cover off since the lifters were ticking a bit. I have to say, when I pulled the vc off, it smelled like the inside of a fuel tank in there. The raw fuel smell was very strong, but oil looked clean and I saw no problems in there. I decided to grab a flash light and cut the lights in the garage and do some meticulous searching in the engine bay. Well, this is what I found.
The bolts holding the GM maf meter together were just about to fall out; all four of them. A few more turns and they would have fallen out completely. I was able to move the meter back and fourth just enough to see a gap form on each side. I have absolutely no idea how, when or why this happened or if this could even cause the problems I am having. I am thinking at idle, air is being sucked in thru the gap giving me a leaner reading. On boost, it is just the opposite...air is being pushed out which is causing the lag and rich conditions. ANyone care to agree/dissagree with me on this one? I havent tightened it up yet, but should be able to get to it tonight. Thoughts welcome. Thanks again.