When I swapped my cam I went back in with a 180* instead of the 160*....Well, now i don't see that what the temp gauge should be reading....It reminds me of the 195* reading(goes to nearly 220 when the car is on the highway)...I have the air dam in place, a new water pump, and plenty of coolant. Do these 180's read more like the 195's....I don't expect to see the correct reading while the car sits because I don't have a lower temp fan switch...

 

your car goes to 220 ON the highway... not in traffic, but driving? wow. I have a 170 stat and im in between base line and the 2nd notch at speed.

 

I just swapped from my 160* stat to a 195* stat, and my car runs about 20* hotter( I need a real gauge!!)

Anyways, your car shouldnt run at 220 on the highway. There is enough air from driving speeds to keep a normally operating system in line. You might want to check your radiator and condensor for clogs or dirt, you also might want to make sure the t-stat you put in wasnt bad to begin with, or check to make sure your gauge is reading correctly, how is your antifeeze/water mix? how long has it been since you flushed it? This even could be a problem caused by the car being out of time, retarted timing will make the car run hot(and rob HP).

just some quick thoughts....