Its those of us that want to go beyond the traditional limits that must either use trial and error or science to understand how or why. Do the big guys with performance mods ever give you formulas and science? Never, they dont want you to understand, just buy their snake oil magic. They probably didnt actually think about it. Its awesome if you just get some data, or better yet data comparisons.
I run 20+ psi boost every day, thats just me and my lead foot with an empty truck, consider it a 1/4 mile race type driving a lot. Well, but I also run it up over 100mph a lot, a few times to 130mph. It just for a little fun. So if I can run my old tired train spout of an engine like that on diesel fuel alone, stock engine and heads, you ask why I might not be impressed with 158mph on gearing much higher than even I have? I had room to go too, but the PCM cuts out at 130mph max, unless I fool it with the VSSB, and I start to get nervous after like 110mph. 130mph at 3500rpm. Oh and I can tell when I do that the fuel tank ticks down, so its not all that smart to do often. Throw on the propane and WMI and it has even more giddy up in her.
When actually climbing hills, especially when loaded or pulling, which is not often, but I climb long steep hills often, my boost is not 20psi, it doesnt need that much to maintain 90mph up a 8% grade with the AC on, more like 12-15psi is plenty just to maintain. I'm that guy that flies past you when you were doing 10mph over the speed limit going up that steep hill thinking youre going fast. Not all the time, and not on long trips, but just for fun sometimes. My EGTs stay in check when the boost is there, at altitude it gets worse, and they are measured preturbo.
My engine may blow up soon or in a few years, time will tell, but I listen to the engine, and the exhaust and the turbo, if it doesnt sound right I back it out, and I watch the gauges and if anything gets hot I back it out. This 6.5 sounds remarkably good at 3500rpm over 100mph and 15psi of boost on at ATT, just hohumming along. The GMx will get you there too, but the engine is cursing you for making it do it, sounding very weak