96 & 97 power programmers

[Jaymatic]

How come there are power programmers available for the 97 3.8L f-bodies but not the 96 3.8L? Is there a difference in the PCM between 96 and 97, and if so, what is the difference?

[FirebirdGT]

http://www.camarov6.com/ubb/ultimate...;f=16;t=002787

[Jaymatic]

So I guess there is a difference then, which means that us with 95 & 96 3.8's with the stock PCM don't have any options for reprogrammers? Does anyone know exactly what the difference is?

[eDoog]

yea, the 96 is covered with some wierd jelly ****... at least that what the guys at Texas Speed told me. I'm trying to get a 97 PCM and get that **** reprogrammd there so I can slap it into my 96 (it's going to be expensive though)

[FunkZ]

Weird jelly **** on a PCM is called potting. It's a translucent goop that is poured on the circuit board and hardens to a soft rubber barrier. It protects against moisture. Here's a pic of it being poured onto a rebuilt part.

Image

I would have thought all PCM's had the stuff though, don't see any reason why only a '96 would.

I also don't know why the 95-96 3.8 has a different part number PCM than a 97. But several people here have swapped a 97 PCM in their 96 correct?

[Brennan]

Where do they have programers for the 97?

[97rs4life]

hp tuners, and yea many 96ers swap out for the 97 PCM and then just get HP tuners

[Jaymatic]

What would the potting have to do with reprogramming the PCM though?

After searching I did find that many 95-96 3.8 people would swap for a 97 PCM, but I don't really have the money for that rigt now, I'm just trying to plan ahead. I was just curious as to what the big difference bewteen the the late 95-96 3.8 PCM and the 97 PCM's were.

Is there anything major that has to be done to a 97 PCM in order to run it in a 96? (I'm sure this question has been asked before so if you don't feel like answering it again it's ok, I am going to do a search on this question later but right now I have to go to class)

[ellik]

Originally posted by Jaymatic:
Is there anything major that has to be done to a 97 PCM in order to run it in a 96? (I'm sure this question has been asked before so if you don't feel like answering it again it's ok, I am going to do a search on this question later but right now I have to go to class)

All you have to do to run a 97 PCM is remove the 96, put the 97 in its place and plug her in. just make sure you get a 97 pcm from a car with the same tranny.

[Jaymatic]

That's it huh? Sweet

[SilverRS96]

cant u bring the PCM to a dealership and have it flashed to a M-5 if its out of a auto?