I will probably fit an external wastegate at some point. The reason I haven't to date is that once my 2.4 was done I used the same dual ballbearing CHRA and compressor housing as my old turbo (from my 2.0 days) for my new turbo so that my turbo upgrade was pretty cheap plus I already had a proper 3"+ GT25 flanged downpipe. Now if I had a 2.5"-3" Vband downpipe the move to an external wastegate would be really easy and relatively cheap for me like it is for you. The step to a GT25 exhaust flange to my mind will make it harder for you to go for an external wastegate in the future.

Maybe we should swap downpipes

hehee, its hard to compare but going from a 3" downpipe then 2.25" decat to the full 5-stud to 3" decat saw 335bhp go to 362bhp, 300 lb/ft to 323 lb/ft although more boost 1.5/1.4 bar,... my unichip map was only altered slightly, reducing advance if anything. I had a boost leak with the first run, but it does at least give you some idea.

In reference to my old post, I later found that I had a leak in the actuator pipe, hence the reason for the rising boost levels !;)

I'd just say the car feels more aggressive to drive, more torque but how much I don't know.

joe