[soupandspoons]

How do you know when this needs to be done, and how common is it for the wastegate to be set inproperly ?

Do you have a boost gauge installed? If so, an easy way to check if your wastegate is currently set within a reasonable range, e.g. 4.5 to 7.5 psi, is to simply unplug the electrical connector on the TCV and take the car out for a drive while monitoring the boost level at full throttle. With the electrical connector unplugged the TCV simply acts as a pass-thru on the boost/vac line between the intake manifold and the wastegate actuator.

In other words, the pressure/vaccuum in the intake manifold will directly control the wastegate actuator. As such, when the intake manifold pressure hits the pressure that your wastegate is currently set to, the wastegate will open and limit max boost to approx. the wastegate pressure setting.

Take note of what the maximum sustained boost level is during your drive with the TCV unplugged and that should be approximately equal to your current wastegate setting.

Once you're done, don't forget to reconnect the electrical connector for the TCV.

Hope that helps,

Jeff

p.s. credit goes to stealthys60R for coming up with this quick way of testing your base wastegate setting (at least he's the first forum member that I recall having proposed this test)

 

[soupandspoons]

Fuses 6 and 23? This needs to be clarified too. From which fuse box?

He's referring to the fuse panel in the engine bay. Fuses 6 and 23 are correct for 04 Rs. However, I think that the fuse numbers may be different for 05+ Rs.

 

[soupandspoons]

6 & 23 sound correct for my '05 VR...

I just checked the owner's manuals and you're correct: engine bay fuses 6 and 23 are correct for 04 and 05 Rs and engine bay fuses 12 and 19 are correct for 06 and 07 Rs.