96 Riv upgrades???

I am not reading good things about my 96 Riv in the way of HP part upgrades. It's not looking like there are any PCM upgrades or laptop type scan tools out there for the 96 Riv, I see them for the 97 up but can not find anything for my 96. I just bought this car thinking there were upgrades out there.I had planed on doing a pully,ram air,and exh upgrade along with tuning mods to start with.

Anyone here got a 96 Riv that is going 14.9 or faster? I hate to start throwing parts at somthing that I can't tune.


Dave
95/96 Rivs

check out zzperformance.com and 3800performance.com. though, their parts are for bonnies, regeals, and grand prixs it's still the same damn motor. they have a lot of stuff to make our cars go fast.
reese

Dave, which 3800 engine is in your car? SC or NA? Series I or II? While I believe it is true that you really have no PCM tuning options, there are lots of other mods available for both engines, just more for the Series II. Did I mention www.seriesoneperformance.com in your other thread? I would think you can get your 96 into the 14's.

1998 Riv wrote:

Dave, which 3800 engine is in your car? SC or NA? Series I or II? While I believe it is true that you really have no PCM tuning options, there are lots of other mods available for both engines, just more for the Series II. Did I mention www.seriesoneperformance.com in your other thread? I would think you can get your 96 into the 14's.

I have a series ll SC in the 96.

Has anyone tried changing the 96 PCM with a later unit that can be programed? We used to use the 87 ECM in the 84/85 GN/T's so we could use the 86/87 chips and scanning software.

'Dave

sometime in the future i will be adding a 97-98 ECU to my 96' its just a matter of swappping a few wires in the ecu harness.....ill post up when i do this..... pretty much any ecu newer than 96 can be programmed to run anything...i have seen a lot of people use GM ecus for race projects... when i used to work at Mallet Corvette we were able to use the factory pontiac solstice ECU to run the corvette LS2 engine swap....so it can be done....did an automatic saturn sky LS2 swap with a cadilac XLR trans behind it....

mid to low 14's is possible without even tuning it. and you can tune a 96 with DHP, just not the transmission b/c ours are vac controlled where the 97+ are PCM controlled.
i dont know why the sites show 97+. my only guess is thats the year difference for the GTP's and regals for the series II AFAIK, where the riv's had it in 96+. the vendors dont carry anything specific for our cars but they still have the L67 and obd II port. i wouldnt get a pcm from a vendor, it would be much better to just buy the software and tune it yourself or find someone in a local group with the L67 open tuning.
several member on here have tuned their 96's btw.

Mr.Riviera wrote:

mid to low 14's is possible without even tuning it. and you can tune a 96 with DHP, just not the transmission b/c ours are vac controlled where the 97+ are PCM controlled.

several member on here have tuned their 96's btw.

not to hijack, but did you ever find this part online? I cant find an adjustable one for a replacement

going along with what Matthew said, it wouldn't be of any practical benefit to replace your pcm with that of a newer one unless you got the newer trans too. I would get the tuning software.
I'm not aware of any reason why you can't do all of the same 97+ engine modifications.
Maybe just keep a sharper eye out for trans issues, especially when increasing the engines torque capabilities with the mods.

dreww wrote:

Mr.Riviera wrote:

mid to low 14's is possible without even tuning it. and you can tune a 96 with DHP, just not the transmission b/c ours are vac controlled where the 97+ are PCM controlled.

several member on here have tuned their 96's btw.

not to hijack, but did you ever find this part online? I cant find an adjustable one for a replacement

you mean the vac control solenoid on the front of the trans? no i have not found an aftermarket one. all i replaced was the plug and tube that goes to it b/c mine was broken/dry-rotted. i got that from the dealer btw.

Dave,

I bought a HP Tuner for my 97. The guy who is teaching me to tune has custom made his own software taking the best from several turners out there. All his software is compatable with the other tuners. I am sure he has a way to figure out your car; from the number of files he has stored, it looks like he has tuned well over 100 cars. We are located in the Indianapolis area if you are close. I'll ask him about the '96 tonight.

The 4t60E IS electronically controlled via the PCM using electronic solenoids,yet it still does have the vac modulator... the 4t60 which is fully vac controlled was used up until 1990 and replaced with the 4t60e.... the E stands for electronic This can be adapted easily in a 97+ pcm... all the vac modulator does is controll trans line pressure.some say this was an advantage over the 4t65 because it can more accurately compensate for engine load based on what it sees from boost/vacumn. The 4t65e only has a few marginally stronger components that the 4t60e.other differences consist of electronically controlled line pressure via the pcm. Many people have used the 4t60 in high HP applications with no issues.The 4t65e also has a dual chain drive which is weaker than the single used in the 4t60e's.

There was a heavy duty 4t60e available in 96' for the SC l67 cars. how to tell if you have one i dont know!

The main reson the 96' pcm's are not fully tuneable is because it has a slower processing rate,basically was a 1 off controller introduced in 96' to launch the OBD2 change over vehicles.it was simple an not cost effective.

good to know! thanks for the corrections and additions Rob.

FYI, My 95 has a OBD1 box with a OBD 2 ALDL port and PCM software/codes.

Dave

If its an OBD1 box...it should be able to be tuned by simply installing a new MEM CAL which is a chip inside of it, there are many companys that can burn mem cals for you..just like the GN's

I would also like to add,after doing some digging... that an adjustible modulator valve can be purchased...its not advertised as adjustible,but just universal,so therefore you can adjust your shift firmness to your liking. it can be found here for $13.00 the adjuster screw is right inside of the vac nipple.

http://www.transmissionpartsusa.com/440T4_4T60E_vacuum_modulator_p/370-000037888.htm

and for you high mileage guys i would recommend the Transgo shift kit...not necessarily a shift kit,but a shift improver..with updated necessary parts to make your trans shift nice,an avoid clutch wear..

http://www.transmissionpartsusa.com/TRANSGO_4T60E_Shift_kit_1991_99_p/500-000037936.htm

TType_Riviera wrote:

If its an OBD1 box...it should be able to be tuned by simply installing a new MEM CAL which is a chip inside of it, there are many companys that can burn mem cals for you..just like the GN's

True, I have a burner and burn chips for GN/T's. I don't have any cal docs for the 95 Riv nor do I have any desire to change the program in that slug. That 95 is flat slow! It carrys around a 4500 watt sym tho. She has a pair of 12's that pump out 147 db. I let my wife drive that car now and hope to do something with the 96.

Dave

TType_Riviera wrote:

I would also like to add,after doing some digging... that an adjustible modulator valve can be purchased...its not advertised as adjustible,but just universal,so therefore you can adjust your shift firmness to your liking. it can be found here for $13.00 the adjuster screw is right inside of the vac nipple.

http://www.transmissionpartsusa.com/440T4_4T60E_vacuum_modulator_p/370-000037888.htm

and for you high mileage guys i would recommend the Transgo shift kit...not necessarily a shift kit,but a shift improver..with updated necessary parts to make your trans shift nice,an avoid clutch wear..

http://www.transmissionpartsusa.com/TRANSGO_4T60E_Shift_kit_1991_99_p/500-000037936.htm

I agree with the Tansgo shift kit. Just did the trans in my 95 2 weeks ago and used that kit. Works real nice, no hard shifts but firm. Nice converter lock up

Dave

You can get the adjustable shift modulator from advanced auto.
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=SAG&MfrPartNumber=MD28

Also I would like to mention that the transgo shift kit is to be done during a rebuild of your transmission it is not like the shift kits for the 4T65E that are DIY.

Quote :

There was a heavy duty 4t60e available in 96' for the SC l67 cars. how to tell if you have one i dont know!

If you got the Supercharger you got the Heavy Duty transmisson as well

oldsman105 wrote:

You can get the adjustable shift modulator from advanced auto.
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=SAG&MfrPartNumber=MD28

Also I would like to mention that the transgo shift kit is to be done during a rebuild of your transmission it is not like the shift kits for the 4T65E that are DIY.

Quote :

There was a heavy duty 4t60e available in 96' for the SC l67 cars. how to tell if you have one i dont know!

If you got the Supercharger you got the Heavy Duty transmisson as well

is this the one you have on your 96? was install quick and easy. My shits are real slow at WOT.

dreww wrote:

is this the one you have on your 96? was install quick and easy. My shits are real slow at WOT.

...aah i'm too easily amused.

dreww wrote:

oldsman105 wrote:

You can get the adjustable shift modulator from advanced auto.
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=SAG&MfrPartNumber=MD28

Also I would like to mention that the transgo shift kit is to be done during a rebuild of your transmission it is not like the shift kits for the 4T65E that are DIY.

Quote :

There was a heavy duty 4t60e available in 96' for the SC l67 cars. how to tell if you have one i dont know!

If you got the Supercharger you got the Heavy Duty transmisson as well

is this the one you have on your 96? was install quick and easy. My shits are real slow at WOT.

Yes it is the one I run. It is easy.

Remove the vaccum line going to it
You will see one bolt holding it on with a tiny braket on the left
Pull the modulator out.
Put the new modulator in.
Tighten bolt and bracket down.
Put the vaccum line back on.
Go for a spin... You should already notice a diffrence.

If you want more pull the vaccum line back off.
Put a small flat screwdriver into the hole and turn clock wise.
I would go in half turn increments
(BE WARNED... DO NOT DIAL IT UP TO THE POINT THAT THE TRANSMISSION SLAMS INTO GEAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE ..TURN IT BACK)(also

Quote :

Dont crank that modulator up to high though the problem lies within shifting into Reverse..the Reverse Reactor Shell (stove pipe) absorbes alot of shock, and it can chew the inner splines up really bad...

)
I have it dialed up just before the trans starts to bang into gear. First to second you Will feel.

More info here

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=62377&highlight=md28

oldsman105 wrote:

dreww wrote:

oldsman105 wrote:

You can get the adjustable shift modulator from advanced auto.
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=SAG&MfrPartNumber=MD28

Also I would like to mention that the transgo shift kit is to be done during a rebuild of your transmission it is not like the shift kits for the 4T65E that are DIY.

Quote :

There was a heavy duty 4t60e available in 96' for the SC l67 cars. how to tell if you have one i dont know!

If you got the Supercharger you got the Heavy Duty transmisson as well

is this the one you have on your 96? was install quick and easy. My shits are real slow at WOT.

Yes it is the one I run. It is easy.

Remove the vaccum line going to it
You will see one bolt holding it on with a tiny braket on the left
Pull the modulator out.
Put the new modulator in.
Tighten bolt and bracket down.
Put the vaccum line back on.
Go for a spin... You should already notice a diffrence.

If you want more pull the vaccum line back off.
Put a small flat screwdriver into the hole and turn clock wise.
I would go in half turn increments
(BE WARNED... DO NOT DIAL IT UP TO THE POINT THAT THE TRANSMISSION SLAMS INTO GEAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE ..TURN IT BACK)(also

Quote :

Dont crank that modulator up to high though the problem lies within shifting into Reverse..the Reverse Reactor Shell (stove pipe) absorbes alot of shock, and it can chew the inner splines up really bad...

)
I have it dialed up just before the trans starts to bang into gear. First to second you Will feel.

More info here

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=62377&highlight=md28

i finally got to putting this on. I have it dialed up almost all the way and its still not "banging" into gear. Ive only noticed a small difference but haven't WOT it yet (hard to find a good flat straight area). thats when I really notice a lagging shift. the car almost sounds like its pegging or the transmission is slipping slightly.