last night I had to swap cars around to put the fd away, and I swung around the block for a sec so my wife could back out of the driveway. well, long story short, I got on it a little bit and all of the sudden it hesitates really bad (like someone slammed on the brakes for a second). I limped it home, and it stalled several times in the driveway, and now it idles like ****. (sorta sounds like a broken lawnmower.)
now its been acting kinda wierd the past couple of days, with a crappy idle (sometimes), some backfiring (not loud), and the 3k hesitation happening more and more. but it ran fine for the most part. I also thought I saw the cel stay on for a second after starting it on saturday morning, but it went away so quick I thought I was seein ****.

now before anyone flames me for being irresponsible: I didnt go wot, I did idle the car for a minute before driving off, and it was still hot from when I drove it earlier.
I am completely stock except for a boost gauge and turbo timer (dont flame me for that either please, Ive already had that discussion before). I plan on doing the obvious things first (compression check, wiring, vac hoses, etc), but does anyone have any other suggestions? I dont mind searching, Im just not really sure what else to search under....

 

First thing check for codes, if the cel light came on at all there should be a code/s stored. That should help point you in the right direction.

 

ok,
I dug around for a few minutes tonight and found this:

1st pic:
The connector with the bolt: I think I see where the bolt might go, but the bolt looks a little big to fit. any ideas on the proper location for this bolt? (or does it even matter where it grounds?)

2nd pic:
obviously I am missing a vaccum hose, but does anyone recognize what this might be for? I didnt notice it a few weeks ago when I did the boost gauge install. I checked all of the vac lines around the uim, and I am sure I would have noticed it then if it was off.

 

That looks like the vapor filter from the map sensor. It should go to the little square box that's bolted to the firewall in the front of the picture.
You need to look for the vac hose that connects to it, it should be back there somewhere.
That would certainly account for the car running like crap.