Very hard to start - no power under load

[MikeLiv]

Hi guys hoping for a little help on this one. Car started to run really poorly at the beginning of the week. Would crank and crank and almost start when cold over several attempts (10ish or so) then would finally start. When it was warmed up it would start up pretty normal. The cars power slowly diminished over the week to the point where I need a pretty big hill if I planned to get on a highway.

Anyway, I was driving home Wednesday from school and it wouldn't go above 60 and took about 2 minutes to get to that speed. When I got off the highway it died, would crank and crank and didn't even sound like it wanted to start at all. Had a cel for cam position sensor. After reading some other threads on here decided it was best to at least get the new sensor. Didn't change a thing about the running quality but the light is gone anyway.

I've checked the fuel pressure and it's steady at 40psi. Is this correct on a 1998 m44? Seemed like a fuel issue to me but now I'm thinking clogged cat maybe? I can hear a little rattle coming from that area of the exhaust but I would think the car would start ok and then die after the pressure got to be too much.

What else should I check? Do these cars have an egr valve? I've had similar issues on cars in the past with bad egrs exhibiting very similar behavior. Thanks!

Mike

[MikeLiv]

Forgot to add....when I rev the engine it sounds like a Honda civic with a big coffee can exhaust right around the area of the air box. It seems like its being starved for air. I just took all the stuff off leading to the throttle and it's clear. Took the upper intake off and it's also clear. Did notice some small chatter from the disa when revved but it didn't look like it was blocking the intake in anyway. Thanks