FAQ: Tuning a 1996 Riv SC?

What are you guys with 96's doing for tuning? Whats the deal with programing one of these. I am spoiled I used to program my own chips for my 87 GN or tune F.A.S.T boxs with my laptop


Dave
95/96 Rivs

I used DHP PowrTuner. This was the first product available. Now there is HP Tuners software. I have seen both products, and feel they do about the same thing. It seems HP tuners has a better interface with graphing capabilities and possibly more parameters, and it has a better scanner, but it costs $500. DHP PowrTuner is available for $390. Both packages require a laptop.

Just to note the HP tuner does not support the 96 PCMs.

oldsman105 wrote:

Just to note the HP tuner does not support the 96 PCMs.

Neither does DHP. I'm pretty sure there are no tuning options for the 96 PCM's, regardless of make/model of 3800 car.

1998 Riv wrote:

oldsman105 wrote:

Just to note the HP tuner does not support the 96 PCMs.

Neither does DHP. I'm pretty sure there are no tuning options for the 96 PCM's, regardless of make/model of 3800 car.

WOW, I duno WTF to think now. I hear you can program a 96 now I hear you can't. Anyone with a 96 want to chime in?

Dave

DHP does have what they call a 1.0 flash for the 96's but you have to send them your ecu. as far as i know the tuner doesnt support the 96's there 1.0 flas is very moderate, limter removals,little bit of fuel mapping....e-mail DHP and see if theres any other products they have for the 96's... i know they have the 1.0 flash though!

1998 Riv wrote:

oldsman105 wrote:

Just to note the HP tuner does not support the 96 PCMs.

Neither does DHP. I'm pretty sure there are no tuning options for the 96 PCM's, regardless of make/model of 3800 car.

Nope ... "dreww" on our forum has a 96 and he has a DHP powertuner

Interesting, the 96 is not listed as supported on DHP or PFYC(dealer) site for the PowrTuner.

So dreww is tuning a 96 PCM with a PowrTuner?? Hadn't heard that.

TURBO87 wrote:

1998 Riv wrote:

oldsman105 wrote:

Just to note the HP tuner does not support the 96 PCMs.

Neither does DHP. I'm pretty sure there are no tuning options for the 96 PCM's, regardless of make/model of 3800 car.

WOW, I duno WTF to think now. I hear you can program a 96 now I hear you can't. Anyone with a 96 want to chime in?

Dave

Dave, email Allen at PFYC, he can get a definitive answer for you. allenk@pfyc.com Tell him David Gramlow sent you.

oldsman105 wrote:

1998 Riv wrote:

oldsman105 wrote:

Just to note the HP tuner does not support the 96 PCMs.

Neither does DHP. I'm pretty sure there are no tuning options for the 96 PCM's, regardless of make/model of 3800 car.

Nope ... "dreww" on our forum has a 96 and he has a DHP powertuner

Anyone have his e-mail address? I need to know one way or the other if I have the option to tune this thing before I start ordering parts.

Then again I don't even know what to order, all the sites say 97up..... I don't even know if a pully kit will work for sure. I would like to do cam,headers, inj.,ram air, throttle body, alky inj, and PCM tune up

Dave

It will all work, Dave. The tuner is the only questionable part, and I'm 90% sure it can be tuned, if someone hasn't already. Send dreww a PM by clicking this link:

https://rivperformance.editboard.com/msg.forum?mode=post&u=106

Also, we have a member, Rob, who goes by Rivman. He works with DHP and can answer your questions. Link to PM:

https://rivperformance.editboard.com/msg.forum?mode=post&u=61

He also has a website: http://www.rivman.com/

1998 Riv wrote:

Interesting, the 96 is not listed as supported on DHP or PFYC(dealer) site for the PowrTuner.

So dreww is tuning a 96 PCM with a PowrTuner?? Hadn't heard that.

it doesnt show one listed, but I found a page on their site that had a chart and the 96 was listed. I dont know why its not listed with the other years (97-99).

You just email DHP and request one.

2 years ago, NO years of Riviera were listed. Tuning is relatively new for the model, period.

dreww wrote:

1998 Riv wrote:

Interesting, the 96 is not listed as supported on DHP or PFYC(dealer) site for the PowrTuner.

So dreww is tuning a 96 PCM with a PowrTuner?? Hadn't heard that.

it doesnt show one listed, but I found a page on their site that had a chart and the 96 was listed. I dont know why its not listed with the other years (97-99).

You just email DHP and request one.

I got a e-mail in now. I'll let ya'll know what they say. If not im going to try to change to a 97 PCM just so I can tune it. Not sure how or if I can get past the SES light due to missing trans imputs.Might be able to -0- the stuff out in the cal files or something.

My 95 lives with the SES light on. Its had a quad driver code from the day I got it and im out of things to change.

Dave

it will be just a matter of changing some pins on the ecu connector an getting into the ecu to tell it what it needs to know..

getting a complete pinout schematic of both ecu's will tell you what the 97 will want to see in order to do what it needs to do..

i have a PDF of the 97 ecu pinouts.....

TType_Riviera wrote:

it will be just a matter of changing some pins on the ecu connector an getting into the ecu to tell it what it needs to know..

getting a complete pinout schematic of both ecu's will tell you what the 97 will want to see in order to do what it needs to do..

i have a PDF of the 97 ecu pinouts.....

Cool, could you please e-mail it to me? dave_schmucker@yahoo.com

I have the 95 pinouts from All Data.com

DHP has got a powertuner for the 96 Riv!!!! They also have PCM's. I provided my VIN # to be sure. Thanks Allen and the person that sent me his way.

Dave

from: https://rivperformance.editboard.com/series-ii-engine-transmission-f4/headers-or-downpipe-t2410.htm#26176

Quote :

Mr.Riviera: i didnt know they stopped selling them do they plan on making a new version or something? or has the market died? (dont mean to hijack this headers/dp thread)

Poor customer service + rough user interface = HP Tuners FTW.

This is an example where a well-designed product is winning over a well-engineered one. DHP does what I need it to, but it's not fun to use, and it took a lo-o-ng time to learn how. HP Tuners is easy and intuitive, with color graphs that let you see what's going on, and you can make global adjustments much more quickly than with DHP.

And I don't believe HP Tuners cannot make software for the '96 models. Someone just needs to ask. If I had to do it over again, I'd go HP Tuners. It's clearly the better system, imo. Also it includes a decent scanner, so you end up spending less in the end.

quote:"i didnt know they stopped selling them frown do they plan on making a new version or something? or has the market died? (dont mean to hijack this headers/dp thread)"
ive heard the hardware was too expensive to keep it profitable...read it on some forum last night...dont remember where
And i did ask hptuners if they supported 96 models, they said no but to check back in 3 or 4 months...that was about 2 months ago... hopefully that means they are planning on supporting it.

They could be waiting to see if any other '96 Riv owners inquire. If you own a '96, inquire about it, even if you don't actually buy the software. Help generate some interest. It's just a matter of someone checking and writing the program. At one time, there was no way to tune a RIviera, period.

My understanding was something hardware related stopped being made and Charles (DHP one man company) decided he was not going to redo for another hardware platform.

Aaron.. interestingly enough the 96 Bonne (all models) had the 4T60 and in 97 the SC models had the 4T65E while the NA models had the 60 still. One method would be to swap your trans to the 4T65E and swap the PCM to a 97. Although thats more than most want to do.

Oldsman is on crack..lol

i emailed hptuners and asked if they were going to support the 96's, and what did they need to do it? here is the response i got back. (very prompt to respond btw)

"Mathew,

To answer your question last question first, manpower and time! The 96
Riviera isn't currently on the development plan right now. Please feel free
to check back in 6 months or so to check status though.

Thank you!

Jay Payson
HP Tuners"

so it doesnt look high on their things to do list
will the open L67 software work on a riv? (PT's latest software)

Created a poll. Let's see how much interest there is in the product.

BillBoost37 wrote:

My understanding was something hardware related stopped being made and Charles (DHP one man company) decided he was not going to redo for another hardware platform.

Aaron.. interestingly enough the 96 Bonne (all models) had the 4T60 and in 97 the SC models had the 4T65E while the NA models had the 60 still. One method would be to swap your trans to the 4T65E and swap the PCM to a 97. Although thats more than most want to do.

Oldsman is on crack..lol

Oh thanks.


Just because I am a liitle spendy don't mean i'm on crack.

i'll stick with my DHP since I got it.

I dont think demand will ever be high enough for a 96 riviera.