For my 2003 Excursion, with Stage 2 injectors - 175/80's and 38R, should I tighten the wastegate rod all the way down, effectively disabling it, or should I turn it down only 7-8 turns? Further, if I do run it turned all the way down, should I plug back in the red hose that goes to the wastegate? Right now it is unplugged and capped.

 

I capped my red line with the factory-set WG - nothing useful came of that. I read the "destructions" after the install, and realized I should have read them first. WG adjustment is an important section on that sheet of paper. I ended up doing it in the truck... very carefully with an uber-Mythbuster's magnet in close proximity - to catch the E-clip when it flies off.

I applied air to the actuator to test the results of my adjustment, and my technique was to tighten it until locked closed - then back it off so it can still work. I use the red line right now, so as not to exceed 35 PSI... old valve springs. The next motor has 910 springs, and I'll learn what happens when I cap the red line.

 

What turbo are you currently running? Also, in pursuit of trying to understand the correlation of one action on another, what does increased boost pressure do to worn our valve springs? My engine has 152,000 miles, so I think if I stay under 40 PSI of boost, I should be fine, is that sound about right?

 

He's running the 38R and you should be fine under 40PSI. The danger of running too much boost with stock and/or "worn out" springs is of floating a valve.