This is the first time I've read this thread and I must kick myself for having neglected it and give my utmost compliments!!!
I kinda only wished you would have gotten and installed the SDI intake manifold as well:
26 PSI will clear the smoke right up!
And as for possible future fueling mods, at the very least go to a complete automatic A4 pump. You should find that the shudder disappears completely! Or.... ditch the VE pump altogether.............
That was my SDI mani - I didn't run it because it interferes iwth the vacuum actuator quite a bit and I didn't wan to to mess iwth moving it. I sold the mani to a friend who will be putting it on his AHU with the GTB2056VL in a Lifted MKII Golf Syncro conversion.
26PSI? Do you have any information to support this turbo having the ability to survive 26PSI for extended piriods of time? I would love to run more boost.
An 11MM IP would be nice - It's on the list behind the 300x25MM rotors + Boxster Calipers & VR 5-lug (3 deg more caster, lower ball joint, cool sway bar) that it's going to be getting soon. I think a 6-speed (02A/J add-on kit), and Peloquin are in line ahead of the IP too.
mmm tdi commonrail mk2... that would be very droolworthy....
And as far as ditching VE - I would love Common rail (watching the threads), And as awesome as a common rail AHU would be - that's for another motor, another time. In fact I would hope that next time I spend this much time building a TDI it will be a 16V 2.0 Common rail. I Just hope there are steel pistons available for the 2.0 TDI with a shorter deck-to-pin height and longer rods. Maybe a GTB2260VKLR and Haldex... This would of course need to be in a MKII. There is a 5.9 Cummins/Kaiser M715 conversion in line before that though. And I want to resurrect my lifted TDI MKII.