Have about a 1991 Camaro steering column in an old street rod. The column uses the resistor type key.

Can I switch to a non-vats key lock from like a 95 Camaro column that I have...or do they sell a blank key (without resistor) that will fit the 91 column?

I see that the resistor key blanks aren't cheap..and I don't need the resistor anyway.

Thanks

 

As you likely already know , you can't have a non pellet key cut to fit a vats lock because the keys are physically different (the vats key is longer) . I don't know if the non vats lock cylinder will fit in a vats column which I know is your question . Thing I wanted to ask is , have you checked Ebay for the key blank ? Yea , if you walk into a dealer and ask for a vats key blank they'll want $40 or so , but I got a couple of vats key blanks that work perfectly for around $10 each about a year ago on Ebay and if you can find the same seller $10 is well worth not taking into your column for .

 

I'm going to just take the columns apart. I have a 95 Z28 column that looks exactly like the 91 (couple inches longer) and it has non oem - non vats key in it. According to my local Ace Hardware key catalog, the 91 and 95 Camaros both use the same key (that they don't stock obviously because of the chip).

I'll just take the locks down to the hardware store and find a key one that works and have it cut for $3.

Thanks for the reply.

 

My local hardware store has a wall full of key blanks both automotive and non. Surprised if there isn't a cheap one that is long enough. Wouldn't any blank work as you don't need the resistor?

 

I'm thinking it will. The 91 key with resistor won't go in the 95 lock, the chip blocks the insertion, the 95 key (seems) to fit the 91 column.

Since the 91 and 95 Camaros have the same key part number, I have to assume that the lock in the 95 Z28 column was changed at some point....do not know if all 95 Camaros came from the factory with or with resistor keys?

The current key in the 95 column is not OEM and has the number 1106 stamped in it.

FYI: Have the 91 Camaro column in my son's 37 Chevy with the 95 LT1 engine/trans. Deleted VATS, EGR, EVAP etc from the 95 PCM..

 

OK...just opened up the 95 Camaro column..it was orginally a VATS lock that was replaced. The two wire spring contact resistor prongs were still in the column. Took a non VATS lock from a 1989 Astro van and it works fine in the 95 Camaro column.

So to make a long story short...you can interchange the locks.