heres what I've found. looks like the XDF settings were wrong for this. I was reading a tuning guide for $DF when I first came across this setting. it shows in IAC steps for that code mask.
so I tried putting the $DF XDF settings into $8F and came up with this:

so basically if thats right it means the ECM is expecting 12 IAC steps for idle. anything more/less the ECM would need to relearn and store in its memory
since my car is 5spd (along with other mods), my IAC steps are much higher.
is there anyone on here with a stock TGP that could verify their IAC steps at idle? that would be a great help in determining if my XDF fix is right
once winter is over I will be able to try this out. I'm sick of idle relearn taking forever when I disconnect the battery. I'm pretty sure this will fix it