Hi,

About two weeks ago I noticed some 'holding back' on my cars acceleration, after a bit more driving it became pretty obvious it wasn't just a one off.

The car does not like to be in the rev range of ~1600-2000rpm under load (in gear accelerating).
2nd gear is by far the most common for it to happen but I think this is just because 2nd can often sit in or below this rev range and has to pass through it. ie. Gearing down for corners.

After 2000rpm there is no problem, the car moves and accelerates fine.
I have started to take off and go to 3000rpm in first so when i change to 2nd its 2000rpm or above.

Common causes seem to be:
Distributor, Leads, Coil, Plugs, MAF, Blocked Cat or Fuel Filter.

Now a few weeks ago my car threw up a code for the MAF but it didn't make a blip at the time, it was running fine. I cleared the code and nothings been wrong since this but there is no engine light. Just a coincidence?

Is there any logic to eliminate possible causes given this only happens between ~1600-2000rpm in 2nd or 3rd?

Thanks