disconnecting the MAF didnt solve the problem, took it for a quick spin with the MAF connector disconnected, still didnt want to go past 4K, pushed it back in at the side of the road...if pushing it made any diff it was minimal, as it still doesnt want to go past 4K
Like the engine is being braked, pulls like a train till just around 3800 rpm, then just stops revving properly, will go past 4K but not smoothly at all....limp home mode kicking in??

So looks like might be time to buy a piece of pipe and a pair of flanges and see what difference that makes till I can afford to buy a new cat online.
Any advantage of metal over ceramic cats?