I am rebuilding the engine in my 1996 with a 3.8l
I want to put a bigger cam in it and was wondering if I will have to update the ECM and change anything else with the ignition.This is all new to me please help thank you

 

yes you'll need a retune and for that you need a pcm form a 97, 96's aren't tuneable. don't forget you'll need headers, complete exhaust, tons of gaskets, new/performance timing chain and damper (single or double depends on cam) , heavier valve springs (depends on cam which ones), new valve locks and retainers, reusable rocker bolts, cam and crank bolt there tty new pushrods and lifters are also recommend and I sure they my be something I missed.

heres my basic list

-Tuned with HPtuners
-Full cold air intake by chromeintake's
-ZZP GT2 Cam 216°/216° at .050" 111 LSA
-LS6 #90 yellow springs
-Comp pushrods 7.05 5/16 .080" thickness
-INTENSE Re-usable Rocker Arm Bolts
-JP Performance Single Timing Chain
-Manley Performance Valvespring Retainers
-Comp OE lifters
-EGR delete
-Pacesetter Headers
-cat delete
-2.5" S,I and over the axle pipe.
-Borla PRO XS
-3.5" SS tips
-NGK TR55 spark plugs
-MSD 8.5MM Super Conductor Ignition Wires #32799
-180 Thermostat

 

list of cams

3800 Series II Cam List

 

Pro Tip:

Get that JP timing chain off ASAP.

 

Why? It's been on there almost 3 years now.

 

Mine lasted about 4 sessions at Charlotte Motor Speedway before it gave up and took out my engine. If you do some searches it is a common failure.

They sent me a replacement, but I sure as hell wasn't going to use it, and I can't in good conscious sell it to anyone. So it gathers dust while my rollmaster dual eats up track weekend after track weekend.