somethings not right here

Well, my thinking is if its hitting 220,thats about as high as i would want to see my gauge go.
The corvette during first run up going past my comfort zone bothered me,but thermostat was open and coolant was flowing.

Drilling thermostat is to aid in purging air. A couple 3/16” holes wont really assist cooling. Just makes system easier to fill.
I don`think I`d go over 1/8" w/ the holes. Some people , u just can`t tell, they won`t listen to experience about pusher fans! My fish is working w/ one , it won`t w/o one, and the manufacturer guaranteed me that my rad. would cool 800 h.p. , I ain`t got 800, and it won`t work w/o the pusher.