OK,
There is no safe limit of boost on any given engine, there is a safe limit of torque however.
A greddy kit will be able to be run at 18psi all day long and not be able to produce the torque needed to bend the stock rods, however a large frame turbo like a GT30 will smash rods to pieces at 8psi on a tubular manifold with a decent intercooler.
This is because the small exhaust wheel on the greddy kit is a HUGE restriction to flow through the head, and the tiny compressor on that turbo heats the air a hell of a lot, meaning that a lot of those PSI's are hot expanding air, not dense oxygen (and therefore power) rich air.
track_addict wrote:. I spoke with the owner who built the car and he said he has never had it that high but that was due to the fact that he didn't have the stand alone.
What was he using to control ignition timing and fueling?
Id definately be concerned for the condition of the insides of the engine.
Chris' advice is very sound, however keep in mind that you can buy pretty good condition na6 motors for a couple hundred dollars, so in the worst case scenario it has been abused in the past, a whole new engine gearbox and diff can be had for around 600 dollars if you can get your mates to help you swap them, which is really easy with regular handtools and an engine crane.
Of course if the damage was caused by a crappy tune, you would be up for a new tune too, which might cost 500 dollars.
Chris' advice is very good.
Id want to see a stone cold start (it has an aftermarket ecu, so if it takes 5 seconds thats fine), Id definately wet and dry compression test it, id check clutch slip, id listen for detonation, id check the plugs for detonation, id cut the motor off halfway through a power run in 2nd while still on the throttle and pull the plugs and make sure its running ok.
OR, take it to a dyno shop, and for around 150 they will check these things for you, and check the tune on a dyno run or 3.
Dann