The spoiler shows my system detail.
I have an upgraded wifi-BT card which OCLP completely ignores (it always applies the fix kext which will essentially screw up my bluetooth and after every OCLP install this must be corrected - OCLP does not actually check your hardware it makes assumptions and this is one of them - this video explains the problem and the workaround
).
Unfortunately OCLP is installing something in NVRAM that is causing a problem. Once the NVRAM is flushed I can use the EFIboot without issue. If I restart the boot will be fine. If I shutdown and start I will no longer be able to boot until I flush NVRAM again.
The "apple bootpicker on black background with no keyboard/mouse response" on opt-key startup is a definite and repeatable indicator or symptom of a key issue here - I wish I could find someone with boot knowledge who could explain why this happens or what might make it happen. It is essentially a useless screen, displaying drives and efiboot as per apple but I am unable to select or choose with keyboard/mouse and there the mac will sit forever.
Once I restart and clear NVRAM x4 and use option key I get the same apple bootpicker but now on the proper light-grey screen and I can arrow-select, return choose etc and choose efiboot boot and then my Sequoia drive and boot back into Sequoia just fine.
The problem is that now I have to do this NVRAM clearing ever single time I boot this machine from shutdown and stressing that chip which is apparentkly asking for trouble on this hardware according to
@tsialex who built my rom for me.
Unfortunately I am stuck now. I tried to install Sonoma and go back one OS to use an earlier OCLP but I cannot migrate my user folder. I just get error'd and it aborts. I cannot afford to lose that as its kinda critical to me. I upgraded to be able to use the latest FCPX and now I have boxed myself into a corner. I cannot go back to Monetery, which essentially always worked flawlessly and for which I can and always did create my own OC EF config.
So I don't think there is anything wrong with hardware or OS drives as they can always boot just fine once NVRAM is cleared, but then as soon as I shutdown then whatever it is in the NVRAM causing this black apple bootpicker kicks back in and I get either it or a black screen if I dont hold option.
I have tried asking on discord but no response whatever. The bad thing about OCLP is the problems are very techncal but there is no support other than other users and it seems I am alone in this as I have had no one offer any explanation for the symptoms here.