thanx for all the info. i have been trying only to use the gauge to see what temp range ive been running and not to tune to temp. just didnt want to cook the motor. the reason i was curious was some of the other guys at the track are usually around 200-225 deg and they seem to be running just fine, that 50 to 75 deg difference really had me wondering. thanx again for the info and i'll be watching the smoke and not the temps.