Do the NGK plugs for a 22re have to be gapped? I gapped a set and made the problems I was having seem a little worse.
I pulled them and put a set in ungapped I still have the same issue. The plugs had dark Carbon around the ring and thin white soot on the prong.

I replaced the 02 Sensor and used the same gasket it didn't seem like that big of a deal looke to be in good condition.

I saw an article on checking the MAF sensor. My wrenching level does not really include electronics past basics.
Is there a simple test to see if the sensor works? The search using Mass airflow resulted in one article similar to the topic.

The problem I really notice in first and second is hesitation then all of the sudden power. I assumed it needed a tune up so plugs, Removed the D cap cleaned contacts(it was under a year old) same with the rotor, pcv valve, O2 sensor. I will continue searching the forum. Could it also be the EGR? I know these are the most annoying posts but I can't start the bumper build without this being out of the way.