This may seem like a stupid question but my 96z is running hotter than it should. what is the normal operating temp for it? The fan doesn't kick on until about 225 degrees. This seems a little high to me. I'm trying to figure out if this would be a problem when i switch to aluminum heads.

 

What your engine and fan is doing is normal. You can do different things (computer tune, different sensor) to make the fan turn on at a lower temperature. And your LT1 engine already has aluminum heads.

 

is that something that i can get at any auto store?

 

have you checked the coolant level in the radiator, when cold of coarse. it may help to bleed the system to see if you can get some air out. so it is running hotter than it was before? how long have you had the car? you can have a tune done at pcmforless and get some better performance at the same time.