Found a reference to one of my ideas (restricting vacuum between TB and top port of actuator) here:

http://www3.sympatico.ca/aepa/bypassvalve.html

Under section "Want even more?"

That's with a fixed restrictor rather than adjustable, but same idea.

As for the other part, will vac line going to the solenoid see boost, duh, it will, because it's teed off the port under the snout that also goes to the MAP sensor, and that some people tee off for an aftermarket boost gauge.