Only making 3psi on a 5.5psi pulley! Help!

[SirThomas88]

I've been running a 5.5psi pulley fine for some time. Then as winter was ending I noticed that my boost gauge only reads 3psi throughout the RPMS until 5k RPM where it slowly rises to 5 or 6psi by redline.

-I replaced the belt (was a Dayco 88.5") with a Drive Rite 87.8" belt. No change in boost.
-I checked the tensioner, it is fine.
-I checked boost gauge and boost line for leak or kink. None found.
-I checked the actuator, both applying vacuum (hold perfectly) and bypassing the actuator even. No change in boost.
-I checked the radiator cap for bubbles. Ran the car for 10 mins until the thermostat opened, didn't see a single bubble.
-Checked MAF, intake, and air filter. Cleaned. No change in boost.

Supercharger sounds fine and car feels fine. If it wasn't for the fact that my boost gauge is reading 3psi and that my car feels like it's at 3psi, I wouldn't think anything was wrong. I will be testing compression soon.

It's DEFINITELY a 5.5psi pulley. Does anyone have ANY idea what else could be causing this? Blown engine? Supercharger needs a rebuild? I'm stumped. Help would be much appreciated.

[chronoti]

running lean and melted the cat

i'm serious take the cat off or remove the o2 sensor and you see the boost jump right back to 5.5

this is a really common issue at anything higher than 3lbs, look at getting the jim's fuel mod if you haven't already or switching to the gen 3 return system

[SirThomas88]

Well chronoti, the thing is... I don't have a cat...

Deleted the cat when I got the OBX y-pipe. So, back to the drawing board!... so to speak...

I appreciate your suggestion though. Thanks!

Edit: Remove the O2 sensor?? Wouldn't that cause the car to go into limp mode? Also, I have an AFR gauge and it's street tuned to 12.0:1. Sometimes I do go WOT at 13:1, when my methanol runs out. I don't do that on purpose and its brief, but it happens sometimes.

[Brandoe91]

did the lost of boost happen before or after the obx y pipe installation?