My 10th AE is slow as my '71 Super Beetle. Something is wrong. I drove it around the block, even redlined it, but couldn't get the boost gauge to register anything. I had heard that the stock boost gauge was crap. I went out and bought an AutoMeter ultra-lite vacuum/boost gauge (model 4301). Hooked it up to the intake manifold (does where I hooked it up matter?) and started the car. Warmed 'er up, then while in neutral, revved the snot out of it. At idle, it was making 10-15psi vacuum. At redline, it was making 0PSI. It's a mechanical gauge, and I don't see any way to adjust it.

Assuming I hooked it up correctly, what could be my problem? The turbo would have to be seized to read 0psi, right?

 

Maybe your wastegate is stuck open.

 

Leak?

 

Could have clogged cats.

Your boost sensor is supposed to be hooked up after the throttle plates. You'd normally do the same for your gauge.