alright, here's an update. i built an intercooler and piping tester today. i unhooked the intake side and installed it there in the IC piping. There IS a leak, but it's not in the piping, or the intercooler. it's somewhere after the TB, but i cannot pinpoint it. i'm guessing it's the intake manifold gasket, but i can't tell for sure. i also replaced the hotside of the turbo with another hotside off of a blown turbo, the wastegate flap on this one had MUCH more resistance than the other one did. now it'll get up to 5psi and taper off.