Okay, I have a 90 camaro RS which of course has VATS equiped. I bought the car with the key broke off in the ignition and I was looking to replace the whole lock cylinder. I’v done ECM delete and engine swap and no longer need vats, engine cranks even with broke part of the key removed. My main concern is if I buy and ignition lock cylinder for a pre 89 camaro (non VATS) will it work with the column in my 90 (w/ VATS)? Only reason I ask is because price on (non VATS) lock cylinder are much cheaper and would be easier to have extra keys made if needed.

 

If you haven't already done it, then yes, a standard ignition cylinder will work, providing VATS has been effectively removed from the equation. I've done it to a VATS car after bypassing VATS.

I didn't compare the two types of ignition cylinders side-by-side, but I was told a standard cylinder is a tad shorter than a VATS cylinder, and that appeared to be true, because the gap between the column cover and ignition cylinder was almost gone, and I wasn't able to push it in far enough to turn it back to ACC mode, but it would push in far enough to turn it forward to start the car.

If I had it to do over again, then I'd get the correct type of ignition cylinder, so that's what I'd recommend now.

 

similar question, although not VAT's vs No VATs, I know some later model GM cars came with double cut keys in columns similar to third gen columns, has anyone tried installing one in a third gen column? how about door cylinders? I know they offer almost no security benefit over stock, but I need new door cylinders anyways, so swapping to one key might actually be kinda nice.