Ok, so the techs don't know what the noise is, but a car nut friend tells me that it is my blow off valve (or whatever the correct name is) . . do it is a pinging noise while coming off boost, or if you let it spool in too high of a gear . . any help?

 

It's a by-pass valve. Sure, get a new one, as they are prone to failure. The 710N is the upgrade, so make sure it's the N one.

 

It sounds like compressor surge which is just air flowing back through the turbo when you let off the gas.