Back story. 94 4.0 stored in fathers drive, too many in mine, for over a yr. Started right up and was amazed. Fuel gauge showed near E so quick run up for gas (about 1 mile). Ran just like normal, peppy and responsive. Only took a few gallons so gauge was wrong. On way back it felt just like my MK8 did with clogged cats. Fuel was soured so drained tanked. Replaced fuel and fuel filter, added injector cleaner. It starts instantly and idles smooooth. Have let it run in drive but still sits on its face under load when I try to drive it. Have experienced clogged cats and clogged fuel filters on other cars and it just feels like a restricted exhausted but may be completely wrong.

I am thinking it something after the fuel filter and friend thinks I need to replace the sock and/or pump as that is the problem.

Any suggestions before I start draining my wallet to fix it?

Thanks!

 

I have a feeling your date of car has an in-tank pump with no extra sump tank and sock filter. Why not change the fuel filter anyway, disconnect the fuel feed to the injector rail and blow out the fuel lines while you are at it, for a start? If no-go, check for fuel pressure when you load it. Could even be something as simple as a fuel pressure regulator.