compressor maps measure air MASS (lbs, kgs, etc. ) NOT VOLUME (CFM)
the kg/sec is a metric measurement... (Holset is an English company) IHI maps are the same way. I'm used to standard measurements found on Garrett maps which read in lbs/min (their maps are also much more defined and have seperate efficiency islands... basicly the closer to the center of the map, the more efficient you are.
general rule of thumb on a gasser at sea level is 10lbs/min = 100hp. I've done the math a number of times, and it works out pretty dang close.
diesels are a different animal because they can make hp at VERY rich air/fuel ratios (though EGT's get hot) but I looked at stoich for gas vs. stoich for diesel, and it's not that different... I calculated it for 12. 5:1 A:F for gas (which is what I shoot for on turbo gas applications at WOT) and it came out to like 12. 2 for diesel, so I went ahead and stuck w/ the 550 number (doing the calcs on . 4 kg/sec comes out to just shy of 55lbs/min)
anyhow, the numbers on the vertical scale on the left represent the pressure ratio...
1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, etc. so the 4 represents a 4:1 pressure ratio over atmospheric. at sea level (I'm at 300ft) atmospheric is 14. 7psi, I usually just round it to 15 for quick glances. so 4 x 15 = 60, but you've gotta subtract the atmospheric pressure, which gives you ~45psi. (actually a little less)
the quick/easy way is to just subtract 1 from the pressure ratio number and multiply by 15. often, you're not looking at a round number on the left, so go ahead and multply by 14. 7 for a more accurate number.
I'm lucky to be down near sea level, so I don't have to really compensate for altitude, but there are rules of thumb for that too (but I've forgotten them/don't have them in front of me)
bottom line is: for most guys making in the 400rwhp range, I don't see a problem pushing an HX40 past 40psi... now, you may not be making peak power because the farther out on the map you are, the more inefficient (HEAT) the compressor is, so you run into diminishing returns at some point, but from a purely mechanical standpoint as far as the turbo's shaft and bearings, spinning it that fast isn't going to cause it to die on you... letting off the throttle instantly at peak boost WILL though!!!
your mileage (and boost levels) may vary
Forrest