bdtsr: yes, its a kkk like the pic sixto posted after your reply. I removed the alda completely and the rod that goes into the ip is moving freely. I drove it and all i could get was 7 psi at full throttle. (this is where it was breaking up at about 2500 rpm.)
sixto: no, I didn't drive it without the plug in the exhaust. I throttled up but didn't drive with the gauge installed and only got maybe 2-4 psi. Yes, your pic is the (possible) guilty party that's on my car.Thanks for confirming that.
Also, I forgot to mention that I removed the box under the air filter and wired the flap completely open just in case something had caused that to be closed, but again no change.