Correct me if I am wrong. The Map sensor can read boost until it reaches 44psi. A smarty continues to read the correct pressure and fuels accordingly. A boost fooler only works when max stock boost is reached by telling the ecm that boost is below max from which it will send more fuel and (on '04. 5 and up keep the wastegate closed). If a programmer is installed more fuel will be sent and boost levels may be increased.
Some people have stated that you don't need a wastegate until you reach 400-450hp. Is there any truth in that? Your wastegate really should only ever be open under full power which unless you tow should't be very often.
Correct, the MAP will only read to around 45 psi. Whne you load the Smarty it simply rewrites the boost tables to the max limit so the ECU program does not run out of entries and defuel. Smarty can't read any higher than the map but it really doesn't care as it just wrties entries to a fueling table that controls the duration of the event.
All that still does not stop the overboost code because that is hard coded into the program, it just fixes the tables so it will fuel higher. A true boost fooler clamps the voltage output from the MAP ta value that won't cause a code but allow the ECU program to just apply the table values.
The WG is seperately controlled by the ECU and its relationship is set by another hard coded value that will limit boost to around 30 psi. Clamp the MAP voltage to around 28 psi and the error routines never kick in.
The WG should really be used to limit drive pressure and keep a balance between it and boost but it used to limit boost for emissions reasons. The higher the boost goes the more fuel is added and higher the cylinder pressures go which creates more NOX. Limit the boost by pulsing the WG and you eliminate an emissions point.
To the OP's point, it varies what is seen for boost because the electrics reading the MAP are not quite as accurate as an analog. This number needs to get adjusted by the Edge as the MAP is reading absolute pressure not just boost, the adjusment routines seem to throw some differentiation to analog into the readings. The way the Edge was making power is not the same as the Smarty so comparisons don't always work.
The 35 psi on an analog gauge with a lower Smarty setting and BF is about right. The stock turbo does pretty good to 40 psi, at least the EGT's will reflect that. Beyond 40 psi is when drive pressure and hot air start impacting the ability to make more power and keep it cool.