thought I read somewhere that it was bad...if this is true...why?

 

It's not bad.

If the motor starts pinging, then let off the right pedal. This applies to all gears.

 

I do it all the time, it just seems more stressful on my car since my rpms are lower and it doesnt pull as hard in 5th.

 

it has nothing to do with the motor or car really...but it gets the turbo super hot. you can boost all day long in every gear as long as the car is tuned right, has the correct internals and all vital signs are good as in the exhaust gas is not too hot.

 

The strain and load on the engine is increased exponentially as you go up in the gears so yes and no. If you tune it so it's not running itself to hard then no. If you neglect this fact and tune like any other gear then yes. Especially with longer gears.

 

i tend not to boost hard on the highway in 5th, if i am just passing, then i dont downshift... but if i'm gonna scoot, then tach it up into VTEC drop a gear (or 2), and get on it!

Use EGTs as a guide.