The point of the bore scope is to see places you could not normally see. The dye does not help if you can not see the area in question, like the back of the intake. With that level of magnafication Dye would be over kill. Even a small drop of oil would be noticable.

FYI I just put that motor in. I was not really looking for an oil leak.

 

I have gotten a copy of ScanXL Pro, that one that lets you see that "other" systems in your car. It is just about usless on the 96. After researching on their website it comes down to PIDs. and OBD1 vs OBD2 protocals.

The way OBD 2 works is that the scan tool or laptop sends a PID to the PCM. It is a series of codes and asks a question. The OBD2 system responds with codes. This is the standard the goverment came up with and required for all emission systems in 1996. Before that the scan tool used to have to go into PCM and take measurment itself instead of just talking. That is why you can not use a laptop pre 1996.

While all emission system used the OBD2 protocals many subsystems did not. In my 96 the ABS, Airbad sub systems are all OBD1 and require a scan tool with the correct hardware interface to talk to my ABS. This is why none of cheap hand held ABS scanners work with my car either. It takes a higher end scan tool and is very configurable and all the right specs to make it work. You are talking the larger high end scanners and where designed and debugged back when these cars where new.

Many older designed GM cars did not switch over to OBD2 ABS untill 2005, I think the 2000-2002 Camaro has the the OBD2 ABS.

I hope this info helps others cause I wasted a lot of time figuring it out :{

 

Here is what I ended up with for sound. Its not the best sound but it is handy to drop my ipod in or use the cable to the computer. I got it at Rite Aid of all places. Normally $99 on sale for $29 and the wife handed me a 5 off coupon. I can even watch movies in the garage, don't tell my wife that part

Note the smaller X60 laptop. So far all I have paid for is the Harddrive, the OBD2 adapter, the Bore scope and the sound system. I have right around $100 in the whole setup. I guess I can sell my actron scan tool now

 

Quick update on the shop computer. I now have a OBD2 Blue tooth adapter, I have a tablet I can use with it. Its kind cool you can walk around the car and still see sensor info. You can even set the table up playing music and set gadgets like monitoring Fuel mileage or any sensor if you want to keep it in the car all the time.

I also ordered a new toy. This should be fun,,, No more guessing at misses. If it works decent I would be adding inductive pickups and more secondary cables. It will be nice to look at more then one cylinder during testing.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hantek-10...&wl13=&veh=sem

It is not pro grade obviously but seems nice for DIY. Some type of review will follow.