Are your up pipes nice and leak free and manifolds as well? Check plenums and outlet for boost leaks? Sure sounds like something is leakin to me.

 

I am with Glenn. I've done even worse and run mine at 1300* for short periods because I had no choice. That was 3 years ago and it's going strong. I had a different 97 years back before people really knew about EGT gauges. I can't imagine the temps I ran that thing at not knowing anything about EGTs. Coolant temps were always fine and it ran with no issues until it got totaled.

 

Like aaron said, check for leaks first thing. Besides an IC, water/methanol, or tuning, an upgraded turbo could help with Egts. The stock turbo gets very inefficent at high boost and the inefficiency raises the outlet air temperature, which raises your EGTs.

 

I towed this weekend and hit 1200 on the steep hills, no ill effects

 

I really get the feeling that your chip just has generic tunes. Not something designed for baby swamps. That's my opinion only though.