01 Gold TDI, power loss, more power at half throttle, has power add ons. Help?

I have an 01 gold TDI with a 5 speed. It has injectors and a tune (can't rember who from sorry), egr elimination pipe, and a vnt17. Car has 190k on it. The car use to run amazing, black smoke and tires a spinning when put to the floor. I will admit that I ignored an intake/exhaust manifold gasket leak for a long time and drove it easy. I replaced the gaskets a couple of months ago and the car hasn't seemed to bounce back. Still spiking to about 20 psi on the gauge. Here is the od symptom.

When I run the car wide open throttle it runs ok, but as I lift on the pedal around a 1/4-1/2 throttle the car will have a surge of power more then WOT. The tune eliminated the check engine light for the EGR so I have no codes. Any suggestions as to what is holding the little monster back? I was thinking about starting with clening the MAF sensor. Any help would be appreciated
Thank you!

Could be a dirty/broken accelerator pot. These cars use an electronic throttle, which has a potentiometer (pot). I have seen pots in other applications get dirty or damaged and give voltage drops similar to what you are describing.

I would pull the pedal and check the resistance with a meter as you push it. Not sure which pins to check, though.

Josh

Unplug the MAF and see how it runs. My hot rod jetta ate a MAF a couple of years ago with the same symptoms. Could also be the accel pedal.

I'd really love to see a log if you have VCDS. Log engine measuring blocks group 001, 008, and 011 from 2000-4000 rpm WOT and whatever position is the fastest in 3rd. Email me the .csv file.

Your boost spike may or may not be related, but it's likely caused by a mis-adjusted VNT actuator.

Thank you guys. I will try all this. I have a friend at work that I need to ask to bring in his Vag-Com. I will play with it this weekend.

Please log all 3 groups simultaneously BTW. It's much easier to read that way.

I think they had a problem with the gold cars, might want to check that....you can just paint it another color if can't find the problem.

Guys he couldn't bring the vag-com into work unitl next week. I took the MAF off today and cleaned it and cleaned all the plug connections and filled them with the electrical grease and it runs like new again. I think me driving the car with the bad manifold gaskets introduce alot of soot into the engine compartment that the airbox sucked in and i likely coated the MAF sensor with it. It was nasty black when I sprayed it down. Thank you for the help..................and yes I was waiting for a comment on the Gold VS Golf typo.
Thank you!