so driving the 150 miles home from norris motorsport today the coolant temperature was around 72 degrees,i think I have a 82 degree thermostat in the car am I right in saying mine wouldn't have opened?
do I need a lower rated one as I was getting very little heat through the air vents.

 

I think Your thermostat was opening To soon. Normally the thermostat blocks the radiator below his temp reading. You can check the thermostat by feeling on the radiator hose, This should be cold below the thermostat reading. If you feel hot water At 60 degree It's already open then. Grtz