2ooo-C5

Im looking at buying a 1996 LT4 car and I am wondering if they have a tunable OBD2 system like the LS1's?

I know my 94 had an OBD1.5 that was a real odd ball and hard to deal with.

Thanks

ColaBear

Hypertech has a hand held that will let you make some caned adjustments but not really a tuner.

Even normal scanners don’t work on the 96 ODBII. GM had the codes built into the on board module and you can jumper two pins on the ODB port and read the codes on the dash.

I would contact some of your local Vette/Tuner shops to see if they provide tuning service for the 96. There may be some expensive software out there that can be run from a lap top but you would need to confirm.

You can also check in the C4 Scan & Tune section.

2ooo-C5

The 96 doesn't have the on board reader like pretty much all vetts?
My 94 and 00 both have built in diagnostic with a few clicks on the dash.

If a normal OBD2 wont read it, then it sounds like it is still ODB1.5

I was think a real tune, with a laptop on a dyno. Not some hand pre-canned stuff.

antfarmer2

96 is ob2 before that is ob1 94 and 95 had ob2 connectors

ColaBear

The 96 conforms to ODBII but a GM scanner or MacTool with the correct modules is required.

You can read the codes on the dash but you have to jumper two pins on the ODB port. In the help section these is a complete write up on it.

I think these may be some tuner software out there that will work on the 96 but it will take some time to find it. You could try TunerCat but I am not sure if they support the 96 LTx. They do have support for the pre 96 LT1 cars listed on their web site. Maybe TunerPro has something. Look them up and contact their customer support.

Like I said, check in the C4 Scan & Tune section.

2ooo-C5

Correct, Lots of tuners and dealerships call them OBD 1 in a half.
They have some OBD features but not all. They are very hard to read.
Typically takes an Tech Tool. I have had 3 94 model vehicles. All are a pain in the butt.

Glad the 96 is a true OBD2

1993C4LT1

Yup, 96 is true obd2.

PLRX

Yes, it is a OBD 2, and it can be tuned. To find a tuner that knows what the heck he is doing will be a challenge. Many tuner know how to do it, but they don't like the fact it takes LONGER to tune a C4 than any LS engine.

Here in SoCal my tuner in Huntington Beach (Powertrain Dynamics) knows how to tune all cars. He can tune an 84.

Everything on this earth can be done, what's a;most impossible is to find one willing to do it.

Silver96ce

Wrong. I have a '96 and it is true OBD II. I have a cheap Actron Code Scanner I got about 10 years ago and it reads the PCM (new name for ECM in 1996) engine codes just fine.

I think there is confusion being caused because, yes, in 1996, you still need use the jumpers, Gordon Killebrew's grounding plugs or a GM scanner to read the other modules for fault codes such as for the ABS/ASR.



+1
As for self-tuning the engine, Jet sells their licensed tuner from TunerCat but it isn't cheap and may require more software to work.
Here's a link to Summit Racing for it -
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/je...FQFkhgodGrwMlA

I had some work done by Solomon at LT1 PCM Tuning using the cable loan method. You can contact him at this link (plus the link has some useful information) -
http://www.lt1pcmtuning.com/service/

LCPLPunk

Silver, what work did you have done? I have a 1996 and I've been looking at getting a tune myself.

Silver96ce

I did a mild cam upgrade, new pushrods, valve springs, comp cams roller tip cast rockers, ARP rocker studs. I did a cable loan tune through Solomon at LT1 PCM Tuning.
http://www.lt1pcmtuning.com/service/

He's a good guy and for what I got it was definitely worth it. He was very helpful.

Since then I have debated with myself as to whether I should have thrown some Scorpion full roller rockers on it. Maybe in the future I'll revisit it after I do some other work to the car.

Now I have to find the time and energy to finally swap out my 2.59 rear pumpkin for the used 3.07 I picked up three years ago and do the u joints and sway bar end links at the same time. I have been wrenchin' on this car for three years and am just getting to the point of seeing some light at the end of the tunnel.

ColaBear

@Silver96ce
I have two scanners, one cheap and the other (Innova) cost me over $150 and neither of these will even detect the vehicle let alone any codes. They both work on all my other vehicles but not my 96.

I will check into a Actron scanner. Do you know the model?

Silver96ce

I just went out to the garage to check. I have the Actron CP9175. It's no longer available. But my ex BIL had another model Actron and it also worked well. Mine has worked on any vehicle I have hooked it up to including the '96 Vette, '96 Buick Roadmaster stationwagon, '04 Dodge Intrepid, '07 Volks. Jetta, '98 Monte Carlo, '03 Ford F150 among others.

LCPLPunk

I bought this one off Amazon and it read the codes like it should. It doesn't do much more than that.

DrDyno

I have an App on my Android phone called "Torque Pro" which I paid a couple of bucks for. It and a $15.00 bluetooth reader from Amazon work perfectly on my '96.

Torque Pro
http://https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.prowl.torque&hl=en


OxGord Bluetooth OBDII Reader
http://http://www.amazon.com/OxGord%C2%AE-Bluetooth-OBD2-Reader-Scan/dp/B00W31VMYC/ref=sr_1_6?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1454 824800&sr=1-6&keywords=bluetooth+OBD+II+reader

Birddogtwo

DXR Dyno beat me to it. I have the Torque Pro also on my android phone and it works well also gives live readings while driving as an added plus. Good luck
Dave

1993C4LT1

I believe you can still jump the terminals on a 96 to read codes? I have aldldroid with 1320 electronics Bluetooth adapter for my obd1 93 C4. I love it.

LCPLPunk

I read that about using the pin to get codes, but then somewhere else said since the 96 has OBD 2 that you can't get all the codes for it that way...not sure how true that is though.

Kevova

No flash codes in OBD2 but code readers are cheap and most parts stores read and clear codes for free. Opti spark appears to be limiting factor going to LS ecm. I'm thinking LS ECM can't process optic signals. EFI 24x requires reconfiguration to use LS ECM for DIS operation.

MatthewMiller

This is the correct answer. It is a true OBD2 system, but the LTx engines with OBD2 are bastard children and not support by most popular tuning software like HP Tuners. The Jet product is one of two possibilities, LT1 Edit is the other. Another challenge is finding data-logging software. I am not sure what is available for that.