help me understand the temperature thing?

It depends on how the car is setup. Generally, lower temperature gives you more power. However, changing the temp that your thermostat opens at won't change the max temp. Most stangs run about 200 degrees. Ford has found that the car will get max efficiency and best emissions at 217 degrees. Therefore, the radiator fan doesn't kick on max speed until 217 degrees. I have my chip burned so that the cooling fan kicks on max at 190 degrees. The best way to reduce your temperatures is to go to a Mr. Gasket hi-flo thermostat. Summit sells them, and they are cheap. However, since so much of the water is directed to the radiator, you won't get much heat in the winter.

Kurt