Wonderling in anyone else have this problem. I have a 180 t-stat, fans set to turn on at 180* and the car still runs between 195 - 205* (according to the Temp gauge in the dash.)

Is this on the Bonnie or Grand Prix?

You'll always run a little hotter than your thermostat setting. It'* normal.

A colder stat will not necessarily lower your operating temperature. You'll need a higher capacity radiator, etc., to do that. The degree setting of a thermostat only controls the temperature at which the stat opens, allowing max water flow through the system. On a colder day, yes you will operate lower, but on a hot day... up goes the temp. Your temps sound right on the money to me.

Not really true all the time, I put my 180 t-stat in, and the temp gauge still said 200, but with the aeroforce gauge it reads 180 consistently, so I think the stock gauge just isn't very accurate. More so than a dummy light, but not by much.

I have a 195 t-stat in mine, and I run between 180F and 189F most of the time. I do at times have spikes up to 205F, but just for a minute or two with the A/C off.

You have to match your fan turn on points to your 180 T-stat. An aftermarket PCM programmed for this will take care of your problem. And I agree that the stock temp gauge is not very accurate. I use the Aeroforce gauge.

He has exactly what you describe. Read his original post.

It may not be the gauge. You have two ECT'*. One for the gauge, one for the PCM. The ECT for the gauge itself may be off a bit.

Thanks everyone. I just realized that I can log my engine temp with the PowerTuner.

Hey..it'* a Monday...what can I say.....