Wrote a long thread and just decided to keep it short. What will I have to do in order for it to run properly? Bypass the VATS? Just recently bought a v6 91 RS with no steering column and I’m just wondering if I can save some money by parting out my rusted flintstones pos 86 sport coupe. I know that the v8 steering shaft will have to be used because the v6 one is significantly shorter. Will the cluster and stock ECM work properly once I get this figured out with a carbed sbc? Just trying to get this v6 running in the mean time. Thanks.

 

There really isn't a VATS/Non-VATS column, only the early column, mid year and late. There is no V6/V8 shaft, they are the same parts.

The "VATS" is just a lock cylinder with a set of wires coming off of it. You don't need to do anything with the column if you're taking EFI off the car. You will need to bypass the starter relay, or ground the small black wire off the relay to get the car to start after though. Just take the clumn out of your other car and install it

 

Thanks for the info. It really cleared some things up. I just thought that since it had a v6, that was the reason why the shaft was shorter but I just realized maybe because it is a different era column, hence the smaller steering shaft.

 

The shaft is colapsable, it's the same between the cars. Try pulling on it, put one end in the vice and pull on the other, it should give you some resistance, there is a wave spring in there so it isn't a sloppy rattle trap when installed

 

My only question would be how well your 91 wiper motor circuit will tolerate the 86 wiper switch .

 

That's a good point I hadn't thought about. Different switches for those years

 

Ehhh, won’t be driving it in the rain that much. Plus it snows, it doesn’t rain. It won’t be a daily.