Finally, I've got my VNT controller running properly and took the car for a decent 100 mile test run, it's just had the gearbox replaced as well.
I've also got a boost gauge fitted for the first time, it's a 30 LED bargraph and calibrated to 30 psi.
Driving out on the A roads, taking it steady and the boost seems to be fairly tame, around 12psi peak and I'm beginning to wonder if the turbo is capable of actually delivering much boost. However 6 miles into the journey the single lane switches to dual lane and there’s a queue of traffic up ahead. I give it some pedal and the boost is up into the 20's, but I back off as someone pulls out ahead of me, they realise the mistake and pull back in and I'm back on the loud pedal - boost is now off the gauge and charging hard - Suddenly BANG!, huge cloud of black smoke and the gauge drops to 0.
I pull over and refit the boost hose.

(something I would be doing a fair bit during the day)
It was on the journey home I notice the problem, the boost is building very quickly, and during a spirited charge in second gear the gauge is straight past the red limit and the motor stumbles/misfires, chucks out a cloud of white smoke and then after a second or two, clears and runs fine.
Any idea what is happening?