i DID have one old Ford van that got pretty hot all the time.......i was ALWAYS getting burns from the qds.......it depends on where you plumb TO the HX.........if you plumb right behind the stat you can get a lot hotter heat......but it sure looks like you got it goin' on............
i wonder if i should build another one.........???
i use 3" offset/middle two chamber Flowmasters...
weld up the offset then holesaw a 3" in the side and then plumb from that in 3" thru the floor where i would attach another 3" Flowmaster with the downturn......
thus TWO expansion chambers....
i always ceramic coat my parts....