waste gate not working

I've just recently got my car running, and my T3 spools up to 18psi before 4500rpm in 2nd gear, which is good i guess, but it keeps going until the buzzer goes off

the bleed valve is closed, and then my friend took it off, but it still goes past 18psi on the stock guage

are there any issues with bad stock boost guages or do i have to check the waste gate?

also, is 16psi fine for my engine that has 40k miles?

What year car? The overboost buzzers on the 87-88 are set to go off around 17.5 psi. Not sure what the earlier cars are set for. you can test the WGA by applying 10 to 12 psi of pressure to it. The rod from the WGA to the WG should just begin to move. Also make sure the rod is still attached to the WG pivot arm. The C clips have been known to feall out and the rod is no longer connected.

If you have an inter cooler you can run 18 psi. If you don't have an I/C, I would suggest you limit boost to 14 psi. Do you still have a hose connected to the WGA that is connected to a boost source? If not then there is no signal to tell the WG to open to limit boost

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NATO Member. it's not a vice, it's an obsession
"The nice thing about each new day is nobody ever used it before" Barnaby Jones
88 TC X 2, 86 SVO, mods list at
http://www.turbotbird.com/showroom/pd_88tc.htm

I didn't know it buzzed at 17.5psi, because the guage needle goes past the red which is 18.

It's an 88 TC with an intercooler and T3 turbo.

What psi is recommended so that I can keep my engine running for another 3 years w/out problems? Does more boost generally put more strain on all engine components?

The factory boost gauge like the others is not known for it's stunning accuracy. I suggest an aftermarket add on.

18 PSI is a fairly safe setting. With good fuel you might go to 20 - 21. Don't do it if you don't know what detonation sounds like. if you get detonation cut the boost down.

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NATO Member. it's not a vice, it's an obsession
"The nice thing about each new day is nobody ever used it before" Barnaby Jones
88 TC X 2, 86 SVO, mods list at
http://www.turbotbird.com/showroom/pd_88tc.htm

For the record the t3 is (was) mine. r3lic will soon be having all my suspension mods as well. Chime in and back me up that the motor will take 18 all day long if you keep it maintained and keep good gas in it. (BTW as far as the aftermarket boost gauge is concerned my autometer pro comp is going in as soon as I get time to do it).