'98 -> '96 Swap it all some or not the best idea

Hello all im new to the land of the Riviera and computer mods vs. hard part mods i have been looking at a lot of info and plan on doing more looking and learning i do have a great brain for figuring out things and i see this will be the place to come for help when i need it. The question i have is i am the proud owner of a 1996 riv and it seams that the mod are a lot harder on those cars as compared to the others this is my delema i do have a totaled complete 98 buick regal gs series 2 sc just like my rivi do i swap the complete motor trans pcm et all or can i swap pcm and then start doing some of the later model mods. The rivi has 180k on it still runs good the gs 85 k i know the mileage diff make it a no brainer but i would like to postpone this till i have to for a couple reasons i have seen these cars go 250k please help thanks in advance

Neil Wouters
Wootz Garage
96 rivi bone stock and getting better

Hi,

Punctuation is a plus. I had a hard time digesting all that.

Welcome!

What makes you think mods are harder? I find them easier, i.e. more room around the engine to work. Headers is a 4-5 hour install instead of 8-10... What mods have been done to the Regal that you are thinking of swapping over? Is the '96 SC or NA?

Anything drivetrain wise (except the PCM) should bolt right on.

I think he meant the '96 Riviera is harder to mod compared to '97-99. Maybe not?

I agree, it is slightly more difficult to do some things, but not as much as a '95.

sorry guys i dont have par a grapgh check on this computer, yes i ment by what i read the 96 seems to have more issues about computer tuning than the others. Both cars are scand stock so it should be a direct swap i was just hoping to maybe swap pcms to get the better performance of the later model computer, I see some mod info that I'm not quite sure what it is I will be sure and return to this site for the great wealth of info that seems to reside here. Any and all info aquired here will be processed and utilized to the best of my ability.

thanks in advance
Neil Wouters
nOOb
96 Rivi stock Black and bad ass in process

I don't see why you couldn't swap the engine, transmission, and wiring harness all together. May be some fitment issues between Regal and Riv (mounts, pulleys, belts, accessories, etc). It would be a heck of a lot of work, but sure it could be done.

Easier path would be to just enjoy the '96 as is. There is some tuning capability for it. Any '96 guys with thoughts?

I have a 96 and tuner. It can be done. Given there aren't as many parameters , but you can still tune it. Everything else is pretty much the same as the later models.

Depending on how far you want to go , it might be better to swap it all out , however if you only want a few bolt ons to help get into 13s , a 96 will be just fine. If i could do it again i'd buy a 98 or 99 , but that isn't to say i regret owning a 96 in the least. Still a great car and still plenty of mods that can be done.

The '96 has the earlier 4T60E transmission, which has a slightly different pinout than the '97-'99 4T65-E tranny. Somebody here did it, that info is here. I don't recall if they swapped PCMs as well, I think you have to get a '97-'99 Riv PCM. Not sure if you can use the Regal's PCM, at least not in it's stock program.

96's arent that bad really. if you get a tuner you can do everything as on 97+ riv except adjust some of the trans pressure's. its even easier to adjust that on the 96's b/c all it takes is a vac modulator for $13.

the 96 motor is the same as the 97+ for modding purposes.
suspension and brakes can be improved (see sig), though it is easier on a 98/99 riv.(swapping that from the regal would not work.)

on the other hand 180k miles is a lot to start modding on. expect to spend some $$ on bringing the motor/trans up to par before you start adding stuff to it.

ok sounds great im ready to take the dive what tuner should i buy i do have access to a scanner, and a lap top what tuner program seems to work the best and where do i buy it. The scanner i have is snapon solis or ethos i have both

Neil, the only option for tuning a '96 is Digital Horsepower (DHP), now out of production. See thread:

https://rivperformance.editboard.com/series-ii-scans-tuning-pcm-f5/hp-tuners-software-for-96-riviera-t2418.htm

Oldsman105 did the swap. I was on hand.

I doubt you will want to use the Regal wiring harness, due to where it hooks to the firewall and the Riv having an interior located pcm vs the Regal being in the engine bay.

However if you had the pinouts from 96 and 98. You could add the 4T65 trans connector, and 5 wires for that connector, then map out the 10-15 other wires that moved from 96 to 98. Get a pcm programmed for a 98 Riv and you'd be in business.

All this info is great you gys are getting me excited it do this project what i would like to know is where do i start

Start with research.

First, check the back of the transmission to be put into the car. Ensure it has the webbing that is required. Some Regals have the webbng.

Get the blue and clear PCM connector mapping for 96 and 98. Map out the differences and plan which wires move where and if something must move first logistically since you honestly should only move one wire at a time.

Get a trans connector with about 6-10 inches of wiring on it. The new trans has 5 wires that were never in your 96. Measure how much wire you will need for the addition 5 wires to reach the PCM, determine where you will go through the firewall, and get some pins from a pcm side connector. (JY is a great place to get the connector and pins). With the 5 that you will add, go ahead and solder/heat shrink the connections.

Get a 98 PCM programmed for a Riviera.

Confirm the axles on Rockauto. IIRC one or both were diffeerent from the 4T60 to 4T65.

Swap the drivetrains.

thanks for th great info bill as far as mods to what is in the car right now where do you suggest i start intake, exhaust, what is the start for the most improvment gain.

Thanks in advance
Neil Wouters
96 Rivi bone stock and getting better everyday