allright so im lookin for this water outlet housing or whatever(thinkin bout puttin the 180 in) so i follow the hose that starts below the radiator cap and it goes to the overflow so i follow the one just below that and it goes down really far into the engine bay then becomes bigger or somethin and then goes into this kinda silver colored box-like structure sorta below the airbox.is this what im lookin for?

the t stat is right behind that black piece the circle one...that the black hose from the top right of the radiator goes into...all you do is remove 2 screws and pull it off...and then pull the old t stat out...if thats what you lookin for......

Yup, if you look at the RED SC cover, it is just off the point of the lower right corner of it. It has 2 bolts on either side to hold it down and a bleeder typs screw on the top onf the dome...can't miss it.

well that would explain alot,cause im guessin thats under the GIANT engine cover on mine.so ill have to rip that off.after i buy the t-stat,and the gasket and whatnot.so if i pull into a GM dealer and tell them what i want to do, they can say here is the gasket you need my friend! right?

Also double-check with them that you do not need an O-ring too. Someone may be more familiar with the 96.

ya ive been told i need the o-ring also i just failed to mention that.

Good point! Us series 1 guys are spoiled with being able to see our engines. Also, since you aren't supercharged the reference points may not be there either. It should still be in roughly the same place. As you can see in the picture---> just follow the hose leaving the uper drivers side of the radiator and it will lead you right to it.

well i found it, it looks just a little different than the pic.and i had to take the stupid cover completely off just to even be able to see it.

glad we could help...