Tuning for a 1996 V6?
 

I recently installed Pacesetter headers in my 1996 Camaro 3.8 V6. Had a lot of trouble since the install. I think its now in desperate need of tuning. But, I can’t find a tuner that will work. HP Tuner’s only work on 97 and up, and my mechanic can find only one that works on every year except 96 and 97. Does anyone know of a tuner that will work?

If I recall right you can't make adjustments on the PCM on the 96. it's not programmable. What i've heard others do is take the PCM out of a 97 and put it in. From what i've heard you can put a 97 PCM on a 96. But as far as I know your PCM is not programmable

I have a 1996 3.8 v-6 camaro as well.I put on the ceramic coated headers with no problems... no tuning required. Do you have any leaks.... especially at the EGR tube.... I needed a new one as it was hardened and craked open when bent to fit the headers. Its possible you have a small leak there. When I bought that tube they had to special order it and a year ago when I bought it there were on 20 something left in the world (all in Tennessee)

Anyways it is not true that the 96 PCM is not programmable. Its just that most do not do it. I contacted Hypertech and they told me it was a buisness decision that they did not make a tuner.... to difficult and not enough potential business. It is difficult to do as the prograsmming is hard but when I was researching it I found a company who would do it. Here is the link http://www.pcmforless.com/ They told me it would be $400 and you would have to mail them you PCM. So it was too expensive for me, however I think they told me if they can find a 96 3.8 pcm, they will program it for you and you send in yours later.... and get back your core charge. Take them a couple weeks.

I didn't not contact these people but you may want to try to compare prices or if they even do it. Some will just give you a 97 pcm.... I just don't like that idea. There has to be something different between the 97 and 96 and the car may not run right (or pass emission if in california as when they plug in it will tell them its a 97 car when its a 96) if they were exactly the same then everyone would be programming 96's and 97's:

http://www.texas-speed.com/shop/item...mid=79&catid=4

http://www.zzperformance.com/grand_p...=410&catid=109

This one only does 97 pcms but will find one for you I think:

http://intense-racing.com/Merchant2/...tegory_Code=IE

The '96 PCM is NOT programmable.

When you order from PCMforLess, they mail you a custom tuned '97 PCM. You do NOT send them your old PCM as they cannot program it and thus cannot reuse it.

I did the PCM last after my coated Pacesetters, 3" Carsound cat along with new gears. The point of the tuned PCM was for the speedo correction but it did feel quicker after the PCM swap.