Just bought the the motor, trans, wiring harness and computer out of a '95 Z28. Planning on replacing the 305 TPI & 700r4 in my '86 T/A. I did pull the VATS box as well, but of course don't have the key, and am a little nervouse about the whole VATS system. I do actually have a 4th gen car (or 2). It is a '95 T/A..with the same motor of course. I have software for my laptop and have done a fair amount of tuning on the one car...got rid of all the emisions, played with some fan points etc. My question is...can I take the computer from the camaro donor, plug it into my '95 and get it all set up before putting it in the '86 (removing vats mostly) ?? Or is the vats in my '95 going to regect the other computer ??? How about turning VATS off in my T/A, then plugging in the donor camaro computer ?? Thougts ?? My big concern is screwing up either of these computers of course....

Thanks for any thoughts.

 

Before people figured out how to build benchtop harnesses to tune PCMs, the only known method was just as you described. Swap the PCM and retune it

Since they are the same year, you dont even have to worry about OBDI/II differences. Even if they were it only entails an adapter cable

VATS only comes into play when you try to start the engine. If its turned off you can actually run your 95 TA with the Z28's PCM. You dont need the VATS box with your swap either. VATS on your 86 is a bit different. The majority of it is contained within the old ECM which you arent reusing. The only remaining function is the starter kill relay. To put it simply, if it gives you trouble, bypass it. Otherwise you should be fine

Read this
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...formation.html

 

great. thanks for the reply.