What is so wrong about an OBD1 conversion? (Yes, I understand some gov't apparatchiks have a problem with this.)

Then again, there's always the 12200411 …

https://support.moates.net/gm-tunercat-obd2-tuner/
Specifically:
"TunerCat OBD2 Tuner is a software package that allows tuning of 96-current GM vehicles. For some early 96-97 vehicles, it is often...

'96 & '97 OBD2 LT1 is one of the redheaded bastard stepchildren of the GM tuning world.
If you can legally get away with converting to OBD1 LT1 (16188051), do so.