Without tuning, when you add the types of mods you have, you aren't significantly affecting the total HP/torque. However, between cooler weather and those mods you are lowering the RPM point at which the oem tuning begins to restrict torque. Since it seems to occur in higher gears that indicates that load is a factor (higher load in higher gears). That could be leading to boost spikes which would trigger the behavior. Your gauge shows 18 psi- If you put it in say 4th or 5th and punch it what RPM does that PSI appear?
Time to head to the tuner. Palm Beach Dyno is close to you, right?
well i have an update, i did as you said, disconnected the batt for about 10 minutes while i put my charge pipe back on. took it out for a 10 minute drive to let it warm up, sadly the same thing, it seems to happen in the high 60's- low 70 mph range. i put it in 4th at 2000rpm and i didnt hit 17 psi until about 5-5.2k rpm.
palm beach dyno is up the road from me but i want to go with ZFG for my tuning needs, though ill probably wait until after the holidays since they just closed until december 5 i believe.
again i cant thank you enough for your input, it just seems like a problem ill have to deal with until i get tuned. i may.... big m, try and find an awd dyno near me to do some pulls to see if maybe adjusting the engine load will cause any affect.
side note, i had my obd2 scanner plugged in and i noticed it pulls timing pretty aggressively after the first shift.