First off the car is a 1988 Chevy Camaro V6 with almost 180,000 miles on it. For the story, it started cranking slower and slower and wouldn't start so I had someone jump it and just figured it was the battery or alternator. Tested the battery it was bad so I replaced it. Didn't fix it. Now when I go to start it I just hear a click, so I figured it was the starter, pulled it out, had it at an auto parts store and it tested good. So I put it back in.

When I try to start it my headlights do not dim, checked quite a few fuses, cables are newer and look fine, all my accessories that worked before still work, however when I turn the key the water temp gauge spikes to a peg out no other gauges do though dont know if that is normal.

But I have ran out of ideas...

 

Check the ground cable, sometimes you just have to loosen it at the engine side & retighten it.
Then check the large cable at the starter for power all the time, the small one will only have power when cranking the key.

 

Sure it is the starter solenoid clicking and not the starter relay?

Shouldn't be starting with the headlights on but that indicates the starter is not drawing any power
Starter solenoid may not be getting power( enough ) from the Ign switch which goes through the starter relay and P/N switch
Check for power on the purple wire at starter solenoid when key in START.
If none then you will have to check for power at the items listed to find out where your fault lies