My new chevette powered manual transmission gets up to 215-220 and stays there. The stock thermostat is 195. I am going to flush the system and install a 160 thermostat this week.
There is no reason you can’t add original side panels off a real td if you are good at making things look good and fit. The kit hood sides go down and bolt below the fenders and frame. Not necessarily needed. Buy original sides, use a marker and mark the areas the fiberglass sides show, then cut out the inside glass on the sides, and install the louvered hood on top of the side panel and use fender welt to hide the sides.