You didn't mention what mods you have on the car (if any) or if it is
stock. That info is relevant to the troubleshooting process.

Verify these before banging your head on the wall over faulty solenoids:
* Engine compression is good
* Exhaust flows well (cat(s) aren't clogged)
* Airfilter isn't restricted
* No boost leaks in the intake plumbing
* Boost gauge is actually accurate

> Here is the situation: I am getting 7.5lbs max (yes I already checked to
> see if the 'pills' were present and they are). This boost only comes on
> after 4500 RPM's. Below that boost is veery slow to build to about 5PSI
> (under high load, ie 3rd gear). I believe my pre-control is at issue. I
> wouldn't mind if my car only ever made 7.5 PSI, but it comes on waaay to
> late!

If you think PC is robbing you of primary boost, disconnect the vacuum
hose that feeds the actuator so it is no longer a variable and test-drive,
see if primary boost increases. It could also be misadjusted but that
sounds like it is more than misadjusted. Make sure you disconnect the
right feed line. The other one will make the car run "unlimited boost"
and it is a dangerous "trick" but an easy way to find out if you have WG
issues. You have to use your foot to control boost and see if you can
build more than the lower boost pressure. Be careful. You could pop your
motor but it will definitely tell you if it is a problem (if you still
can't build 10 psi sans wastegate regulation, you have an exhaust
restriction, intake restriction, intake leak, bad motor or bad turbos).

> Anyways, I switched the wires from my WG and Precontrol solenoids (up top,
> easy to get at ones) and it ran a little better but not much. I've

Check against the wiring diagram against the wire colors and hook them up
correctly. Mark one of them with white-out or something when you
correctly identify them. The solenoids opposite each other and it will be
notably better when the two are connected correctly and everything else is
working right. If you aren't seeing significant improvement when swapped,
you have something else going on other than the wiring (or both solenoids
are dead).

> checked
> for boost leaks and I don't 'think' I have any. (I put on a different
> intercooler, replaced all the couplers etc).

You can also have leaks at the y-pipe (3 places there to leak from) but
that doesn't explain the low primary boost.

> I am planning on buying new solenoids as my WG/Prectrol seem broken. What
> else should I test/do?

If WG is leaking, you will make higher boost. If not, you will make
normal boost. If PC is leaking, you will make lower boost. Use a
Mityvac, apply pressure to the feed side of the solenoid, monitor with
gauge, see that it doesn't leak down. A friend had a problem with poor
transition that was due to a leaky PC. Those solenoids can leak with time
but you need to be sure it isn't something else. They are pretty
expensive parts to buy new.

> Thank you for listening at least

Intelligent and well written e-mail/messages I don't mind replying to.
Uninformed one-liners, I don't have time for.

Try some of these tests and let me know what you find. It isn't
impossible to troubleshoot the sequential system, it just takes time,
patience and proper know-how.

Regards,
--Ashraf