from searching I'm seeing on the 01 models the stock boost should be around 10-12 psi.

I installed the AWE boost gauge on Saturday the 6th and after installation I went out to test it, and it looked like under boost i was around -20 and boosting I would hit 13-15 psi, but since yesterday I'm only hitting 5 psi. does this sound normal at all? maybe like a break in period?

 

5psi on a stock turbo is the wastegate limit. This means the N75 isn't controlling boost (it isn't keeping the wastegate closed). Usually we call this "limp mode", and in most cases it comes with a CEL (check engine light). If you don't have a CEL, see if you can scan your ECU for fault codes to find out why you're in limp mode.

 

I've been had a CEL for low emissions but I'll re-scan, earlier I took the car down the road to another one of our buildings for work and I thought I was seeing 6+ psi but I'll verify that when I head to lunch soon.

 

the guy riding with me to lunch said it barely went above 5 psi. to the auto part store to get the CEL checked out I go.

 

OK, yesterday after work I hit the auto part store to get my CEL checked out and I got three codes. P0442, P0455, and P0171. I knew i had a small evap leak from before and a lot of people were saying it could be the gas cap so I got that, installed it, went home and cleared the codes. after driving 20 minutes last night my CEL came on so I hooked the laptop up to the car today and this is what I got. 1 code less.

 

does anyone know if those codes would cause my boost pressure to drop?

 

They can. Not saying your issue is the same but when my A4 threw the p0171 code I had a bad MAF and was in limp mode.

 

is it possible to test the MAF?

 

On an 01 not really. You could try unplugging it but I think they run worse without one. I do have an mad you could get for cheap

 

pm'd...