Thank you for replying! So how many people show up ask questions, then never return.
Did this start happening before or after replacing the lift bolts? During this service was anything else removed intake or exhaust manifolds, or intake piping? Maybe to clean the TB, or MAF?
during lift in 3rd, gears 1 and 2 seem to be ok but not what they used to be
This makes me think it's an airflow problem. Same type of thing happened in my WRX when a coupler between the turbo and the intercooler wasn't tight and it caused a boost leak. Of course owning a Base Vibe doesn't really help when diagnosing Lift issues.
Sorry I can't be more help.