Tune 96 3100?

[PCGUY112887]

Is there any way to tune a 96 3100 in a GP aside from getting a DHP?

I don't really like the idea of spending $400 on a tuner, then waiting a few months to get it.

[MeMadMax]

Im in the same boat. Anyone got any ideas????

[PCGUY112887]

Apparently a 97 PCM could work.

[IsaacHayes]

Still need a DHP to tune the 97. Your SOL unless you swap to 93 obdi but that would be a lot of work and the parts and time in the end might equal the cost of the DHP.

[PCGUY112887]

I meant that you could get a buy a "pre flashed" chip for a 97 car.

I am not 100% on the way it works, but basically the 96 PCM is 256K in size. The 97 is 512K. This is becuase the 96 PCM has not nearly as many controls as the 97 PCM does. But someone on the Powrtuner forums managed to just unplug their 96 PCM and plug in a 97PCM and have it work fine, allowing them much more tuning function.

Knowing this, it seems if you were to buy a Powrtuner chip for a 97, it COULD (may) work in a 96 car.

[loner666]

The '97 3400 ECU work (venture van for sure) not sure about others..the car is on this board..goes by 3400-95-modified..maybe he'll chime in on this soon

as far as i know DHP is the only tuner for the '96s and as for waiting months..i only waited something like 3 weeks..got here way before i expected it too

[IsaacHayes]

Yes 3400-Modified got the DHP, and tuned his 96, and then swaped in a 97 pcm and tuned that. The DHP will tune either one, I don't think it's locked to any particular PCM. Just that year/type. Like his wouldn't work on a 2000 L67 pcm I bet...

[sprucegagt]

Yes it would. All DHP Powrtuners are now unlocked for all DHP supported vehicles from 97-05. 3100, 3400 or 3800 does not matter anymore. Plus you can still get special additions for 96 and 06 model year vehicles.

[IsaacHayes]

oh wow cool!

[PCGUY112887]

Yes it would. All DHP Powrtuners are now unlocked for all DHP supported vehicles from 97-05. 3100, 3400 or 3800 does not matter anymore. Plus you can still get special additions for 96 and 06 model year vehicles.

I still don't get that... it seems like they would make no money since someone would buy one, and use it on their cars, their friends cars, family cars, etc.

[DEI37]

It's sort of an honour system. Minor changes are one thing, but to go all out wouldn't be the best idea anyways, unless you really know what you're doing. I am comfortable farting around with my stuff, but to do more than pull some torque management, change fan settings, idle speeds, and what not...I won't do anything more than that with someone elses' car.

[Rhedalert]

I still don't get that... it seems like they would make no money since someone would buy one, and use it on their cars, their friends cars, family cars, etc.

well most cars you can't just read the file in the PCM. You are allowed two PCM files, called dhp 1.5 bin files (slightly modded from stock) per car when you purchase the pt. There are other "stock" ones available on the members only forum, but not a large selection.

[sprucegagt]

I still don't get that... it seems like they would make no money since someone would buy one, and use it on their cars, their friends cars, family cars, etc.

But that's why you have to agree to the terms in the EULA, when installing the software. Tuning a friend's car is allowed but trying to make a business from it is not.

well most cars you can't just read the file in the PCM. You are allowed two PCM files, called dhp 1.5 bin files (slightly modded from stock) per car when you purchase the pt. There are other "stock" ones available on the members only forum, but not a large selection.

The 1.5 files are only for your use. We are not allowed to swap 1.5 files with anyone, that includes other PT owners. But you can swap stock files, which is really all you need. As for selection, there is a fairly large amount in the stock bin thread.

[Rhedalert]

The 1.5 files are only for your use. We are not allowed to swap 1.5 files with anyone, that includes other PT owners. But you can swap stock files, which is really all you need. As for selection, there is a fairly large amount in the stock bin thread.

Of course it's not allowed to be shared (1.5). There's a lot on the forum but it doesn't cover all makes and models. So even though the PT being open is great, it's still not 100% open to tune anything due to that. Say I pick up a '00 Monte LS and there's no stock file posted, and I've already requested two cars files, will DHP give me a 3rd stock file? Or more?

Maybe soon DHP will post all stock files for download. That'd be gorgeous!

[3400-95-Modified]

You can get any and all bins if you try... its possible... but do you really want to be responcible for your friends motor???

I don't so that alone stops me from selling my service of tuning my friends car...

Hell I'm still afraid to tune my g/f malibu.

But yes I did swap in a 97 PCM with NO changes to my wiring harness or anything. I just had to flash it for a Chevy venture, and on top of that I needed to edit all the shift tables because they were all wrong for my gears/tires. If you have a 5-speed you would have to edit it to work with that, by removing all the p/n limiters, and all the trans codes that might get set off from it not being there.

Just jumping to a 97 ECM doesn't get you alot, and when you go and tell someone that your a certain car and you want this ecm with this stuff in it for the trans, and try to order it all custom in comparison to their blue book "chipped" ecm it will probably cost more.

Trust me DHP is worth every penny.