General questions about GU's

[mudski]

My son brought his first car today, 2001 GU with a replacement 2004 motor. Drove it about 300kms home and I was wondering about Boost and EGT's. The boost never got above 8, is this normal? On long uphill sections EGT was up around 500c, is this normal? EGT most of the time was 350-450c. The car has a catch Can fitted and did have Dawes Value which the previous owner removed as he thought it lowered the boost even further. He gave me the removed Dawes Value.

Is removing and cleaning the intercooler a good place to start? I believe managing EGTs is an important part of engine life.

Also is there a max upper limit you never want EGTs to exceed?

@mudski. This is right up your alley.

If the intercooler is the original type (three piece construction) and is oily, then it is probably leaking, which will affect boost.

Yep. Replace the intercooler, It will be leaking, if your only seeing 8psi. Without the dawes the boost should be randomly spiking at over double that. The reason the Dawes was removed because there is a boost leak I would say.
High EGTs is a result of the low boost pressure. With a sealed intake system, dawes fitted and even a needle valve to control the turbo spool up speed, you should see 16psi and having a slightly faster turbo spool up from using a needle valve will see your EGT's drop no doubt.