Does anyone know of a list of parts needed to retrofit a 89+ thirdgen VATS system to an 87? My car just got stolen and recovered, and they busted the column and used a screwdriver. I wanna make sure it's more difficult in the future, and while I plan on getting an alarm, a column lock, and a brake lock, I want VATS too. I know I'd need the lock cylinder, the passkey system, and the wires between those, but do I need a 89 computer for my 350 as well? Wouldn't that be speed density and not MAF? Has anyone succesfully done this?

 

89 is MAF too. MAP didn't start until 90.

 

Ahh. So I'd need the computer for a 1989 350 with an Auto. The ignition + harness that goes to the passkey module, the passkey module, and the harness that goes from that to the computer, right? Am I missing anything?

 

if you go with a factory VATS setup, you listed pretty much everything you'll need.
the VATS lock cylinder has the part of the harness that goes down the steering column.
if you get a used module, you'll need the key for that module or you'll have to figure out which key you need.
i think this will help,
https://www.thirdgen.org/vats_passkey_system

you could get a Vats Module from painless wiring & wire it into your alarm system.
http://www.painlessperformance.com/I...&Submit=Submit

if you do use a factory setup, i recommend you get a new Delco lock cylinder, the after market VATS lock cylinders don't last long & every time it goes out, you have to get new keys made.

for a steering column lock, i recommend the the Collar made by steadfast,
http://www.steadfastautosecurity.com/steadfast.htm

many times when a thief sees the steadfast, they move on to another car.
if you do go with the Collar, make sure everything in your column is good, preferably with all new switches before you put it on, other wise you'll make up new cuss words when you have to remove it.

 

Save the money you're going to spend on installing VATS and invest it in a better quality car alarm. A *good* car alarm is FAR better than VATS.

 

A good car alarm also only seems to have starter kill. Vats turns off the fuel injectors. You can bypass a starter kill with a screwdriver. It's just a bit harder to bypass a dead fuel rail with common household tools.

And DENN_SHAH, does that module bypass VATS, or is it a way to run VATS into your aftermarket alarm? I just want something more than a starter kill, and if the alarm has to be disabled for that module to give the ECM the okay, then that seems a lot easier and a lot more reliable than the original VATS system.

 

its made to do away with the factory VATS system without having it removed from the chip.
i don't know if painless thought about wiring it into an after market alarm system or not.

unless they have changed them, the painless VATS module has 3 wires, 1 for power supplied by the 5 volt reference from the ECM, 1 that goes to the fuel enable wire of the ECM, & 1 for ground.
to use the module to kill fuel, you would wire it up with a relay on the ground side, you use a 5 terminal relay. the relay would have 2 terminals wired to ground, 1 for the relay coil, 1 to supply ground for the module. for power, you wire the other side of the relay coil to the output of the alarm so when the siren is sounding the relay turns on & opens the ground circuit to the module.
you can even add a toggle switch somewhere to open the ground side of the module going to the relay.