Here's the setup:
brand new single core half rad (silly but thats all i have at the moment going dual core soon)
brand new coolant (premixed 50/50)
brand new thermostat (advance auto brand)
new slim fan
b18c1
93 integra da9

edit-the temps were fine when i initially did the cooling system overhaul.

so, i drove about an hour or so down to ohio university where i go to school from columbus. this is all highway. i couldnt maintain a speed greater than about 75 mph (3800 rpm) without the temps going up to like 3/4 and then some. turning on the heat helped a lot, but as soon as i turned it off, temp went right back up. if i went maybe 65 mph (3400 rpm) the temp gauge read 1/2 way. i make it to school eventually. i park in the parking garage and pop my hood to check that the fan is working and it is. i look at the temp gauge, 3/4 and rising quickly. i also noticed that the rad isnt even warm to the touch around the fins and that the air blown through it is still pretty cool (maybe like 55 degrees). i know the single core isnt helping, but ive seen civic guys run them with series with few issues, as long as theyre not racing or really beating on it.
soo...cliff notes are
note-i have not checked fluid level bc i like my face and arm skin, will check when i go back to my car to get some things later
engine temp is pretty unstable, must use heater to maintain higher speeds
fan works
rad feels cool and cool air is blown through
temp rises quickly when stopped regardless of fan operation.
cap on rad is 1.05 bar instead of 1.10 bar

ive narrowed it down to fluid level, thermostat, or rad cap (although i dont know what the effect of the cap is. i know higher pressure=better cooling ability of coolant, but i dont know how significant .05 bar is). thanks!

 

it was low on coolant. dont know how,but i assume when i blew it out with compressed air, it left air pockets that didnt bleed out when i let system bleed out. i havent driven it yet but ill consider it problem solved.