FAQ: Tuning a 1996 Riv SC?

epic612 wrote:

From what I was told, the 1996 model in particular is tough to mod due to the PCM (?), some computer, and the way the transmission connects. If the 96 is easy, point me to the info! haha

The transmission on a '96 is vacuum controlled, whereas the '97-'99 is completely electronic. That's really the main difference. The engines themselves are almost 100% identical.

Abaddon wrote:

epic612 wrote:

From what I was told, the 1996 model in particular is tough to mod due to the PCM (?), some computer, and the way the transmission connects. If the 96 is easy, point me to the info! haha

The transmission on a '96 is vacuum controlled, whereas the '97-'99 is completely electronic. That's really the main difference. The engines themselves are almost 100% identical.

Scott is right - Besides the mechanicals, '96 is the year that OBD II arrived, so the computers are MUCH easier to deal with/diagnose...

The other issue is that HP Tuners doesn't allow tuning of '96 Riv PCMs (yet). If you can find a used DHP PowerTuner you should be able to tune a '96 with it.

So much I don't know! Thanks for all the heads up, folks. I appreciate it.

Not to mention, even without a tuner, I should have mentioned that you can bolt on all the modest mechanical mods in my signature and feel a definite "boost"...

ok so i recently purchased a dhp tuner , im running ver 1.2.4 , i have the 1.5 bin for the 96 riv. . i am able to scan , log, and even read my pcm and save the file. when i try to open the file using the pt i cant. i can open the 1.5 bin though. so my question is do you think i can do a full write to my pcm w/ the 1.5 bin. . or should i try to figure out why i cant open my read file from my pcm.

i also posted on the dhp forum , but i figured i would ask here just because..

thanks
mike

Which file can't you open? The one from your full read or the "1.5"? Where'd you get the 1.5 file for a '96 Riv?

my full read file is the one i cant read.. i got the 1.5 from this site , if you search "96 tuning", a thread comes up billboost posted it awhile ago in the bonni forum . i downloaded it last year and found it again just a few days ago ...i can open that and read it no problem and even make changes if i want to..i did the vin search to make sure osid match and they do . so i dont know lol, i dont want to eff up a pcm, trying to be safe and not sorry

bin thread
https://rivperformance.editboard.com/series-ii-scans-tuning-pcm-f5/1996-riv-bin-file-t5072.htm?highlight=96+tuning

Is the PCM in the car now modified at all?

No its completly stock, never been touched as far as I know...

So 96ers with dhp, how did you do it ? Some guidance please ..!

We couldn't read my .bin from the PCM either. It kept saying it wasn't valid or some shit. We ended up loading somebody elses tune and making changes from there.

Mr.Riviera wrote:

i wish i had one! wana split a 96 pcm bin?
i have a scanner and a bunch of friends with tunners but none of them will work with the riv

SO, are there any tuners for the 1996 Riviera?

I see a lot of them but for the 1997 model year going forward

so i bought the dhp about a year ago and pretty much didn't do anything with it but read, read and read more about how to use it. well i finally ordered some goodies for the riv., and decided to take the leap of re writing the pcm with the 1.5 bin for the 96 that has been flying around here.. well . It worked Hooray.. let the modding / tuning begin .

O.K. i give up, where in PT can i change Injector Flow Rate... I Go to Fuel / Fuel injector / injector flow rate and i only get 1 value ( mSec/gram ----207.17). when going through guides i have seen for gtp's and othe 3800 it shows a totally different chart..

just a reminder its a 96 1.5 bin that i have, maybe some one can point me in the right direction..

i guess no matter how prepared i think i am something always comes up ..

you cant change IPW or flow rates for individual cylinders on a 96 pcm. The single value is for the motor as a whole.

ok thanks , i thought i was loosing it and just couldn't find it. at least i can sleep now..
thanks again

Now i have to research how to do that

I have a DHP PowrTuner for sale if anyone is interested btw...

Another question, everything I read says reset fuel trims when you change anything fuel related, . So if I check the box in the programmer to reset is that good enough, or should I disconnect battery still

You can just do it through the power tuner. no need to unplug the battery, that would take forever when you start actually tuning the car and making frequent fuel changes.

Thanks again..

I have a 97 Riviera with a Supercharge, 3800 in it. My question is how much of a problem is it to replace the sparkplugs & plugwires? I was told that to get the plugs out of the back of the engine, I would have to jack the engine up to gain access to the back plugs!! Is there any truth in this? Thanks for any help. Birdogmike

birdogmike wrote:

I have a 97 Riviera with a Supercharge, 3800 in it. My question is how much of a problem is it to replace the sparkplugs & plugwires? I was told that to get the plugs out of the back of the engine, I would have to jack the engine up to gain access to the back plugs!! Is there any truth in this? Thanks for any help. Birdogmike

It can be done from up top. It's tight, but doable. some guys like to go from underneath the car. The plug wires can weld themselves to the spark plugs making removal of the wires nearly impossible without damaging them. If you are replacing the wires, and you should, it doesn't matter. Use the stock parts, they are very good, and not expensive. Buy them from www.rockauto.com

Does any one have or know of anyone in the Kentucky area that has a tuner for the 96? and knowledge i recently did a few mods and want to check for KR and get rid of that 108 limiter, if so i will make healthy donation to anyone who can help.

i am also in need of someone who can tune my 97 and am in ky also. can drive a few states away to get it done if needed