here's the scoop
in 4th and 5th gears i have all the power i need, and then some. but it seems that in 2nd and 3rd the turbo does not want to spool up quite the same as in 4th and 5th. what can i do to get more juice out of 2nd and 3rd gears.

 

Check your wastegate actuator, if the membrane of the actuator has a small hole it will make the AFC to retard the full fuel (on boost).

 

I don't have a boost guage, but I can barely feel or hear the boost in 1st or 2nd either. In third up it whistles and takes off.

 

1st and 2nd gear don't load the engine enough to build any appreciable boost. Thats just the nature of the beast. You could loosen the starwheel or slide teh AFC forward a bit, it will give you more fuel on the bottom end.

 

Tate is right on.

 

Put a 4k GSK in there and it will be a lot better

 

wingaman,
where is the wastegate actuator

 

on the sid eof the turbo , the one with the hose on it .

 

Load does equal boost. Actually, having 3.55's instead of 4.10's will load the engine a little more and allow boost to build quicker.

Try towing something genuinely heavy. You will find boost in first and second gear and you will also appreciate the low end torque of the powerplant.

Ronnie