My understanding is that boost is pressure the engine isn't ingesting, load is time based as the higher the gear the slower the motor RPM is accelerating (therefore there's an increased resistance to air flow going into the motor)
This combined with the fact your often using more throttle to maintain adequate acceleration in higher gears results in a greater "backlog" of air in front of the motor, meaning more boost and finally more power. Its s viscous cycle
As others have said Phil, your generally more likely to experience a boost spike in higher gears, not lower, as its these higher airflow / faster boost transient conditions that tax a wastegate and EBC's chances of responding accordingly.
In your post though, your not comparing apples to apples. How does your 4th gear max boost and spiking issue compare to 4th gear on the street?
EDIT: Noticed im talking to a dood who asked a Q 4 months ago - whoops.
Boost in lower gears can be affected by dump, zhaust size, WG flap sealing ability... and most importantly EBC.. are you running one? It's not completely easy to compare your setup to others.