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You should never near the water temp redline. You could have a clogged radiator. It can be pressure tested. If you lose coolant, suspect a cracked head or failed gasket.
To increase cooling ability, consider an 82 degree C (about 180 F) engine thermo, a water pump with an impeller backing plate like the Hepu and not like the GMB that IPD sells, a higher pressure overflow bottle cap like the gray one from a later 740/940T (150 kpa or about 22 psi) that raises the boiling point of the coolant (but the pressure stresses tired hoses and weak heater core welds), and if funds allow a better radiator.
Contrary to popular belief, the three core copper/brass radiator that IPD sells (Nissen brand?) is probably no better than a new stock aluminum two row core unit. It might be more durable, however, because the stock one has plastic end tanks (they still last 5+ years and 100,000 miles, at which point a radiator should probably be replaced anyway). Aluminum radiators cool much better than copper/brass ones, but are more expensive. Volvo even makes a couple of special duty radiators, but they are expensive. Something from the aftermarket could be adapted (check out the Summit catalog and also the Evans Cooling catalog for some two one inch core aluminum radiators with metal endtanks for under $200 without the integral trans cooler). The ones with integral trans coolers are expensive. The best bet is one without the integral cooler; then you use a dedicated trans cooler (and a larger one if you already have the small stock one).
You can also experiment with using synthetic engine oil. It seems to handle heat better than normal oil. This can reduce thermal load on the block a bit.
Evans coolant is another possibility, but is expensive, so make sure your heater core and head gasket and head and hoses, etc are all good so you don't end up wasting it. www.evanscooling.com
A clogged converter will heat up the motor fast, and kill your turbo while doing so.
Better ducting and fan shrouding and so forth also helps. Some people have experimented with remounting the AC condensor so it is angled forward a bit at the top or bottom to get more air to the intercooler or radiator. Some cars are missing the scoop behind the front spoiler that goes up to the bottom of the radiator; salvage or buy one if so.
Philip Bradley
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