ok, i bought an 89 formula lo3 that was converted to use a 750CFM! carb. I bought the car and it didnt come with a key. So i rigged it and was able to get it started. It hasnt run like it should with the carb so i decided to put on a stock tbi unit from a 92 firebird lo3. I swaped intakes and mounted the tbi hooked up all the wires and vaccum lines and tryed to start it. I have no fuel from the injectors. I need to check for spark next. I dont believe this had vats, but Im not entirely sure, the lock cylinder may have been swapped out..

Also: the computer is from the 92 firebird which had vats. Could this be part of the problem? if so can i get a tbi computer that didnt have vats??

From my limited experience dealing with OEM immobilizer systems, the computer is definitely the problem. The VATS system consists of the ECM, key and ignition cylinder. Your "hotwire" job took away the ignition cylinder that the ECM uses to get the code from the key that is no longer there. Make sense? The car won't start because it's still looking for the correct "code" that it does not see.

The good news is that you could still, in theory, use the ECM you have. You'll have to pick up a book that has the pin outs for your ECM. You'll need to find out which pins are for VATS (there will be two). Then you'll need to go to an alarm shop and ask them for the VATS resistor kit. This kit includes a variety of resistors that can fool the ECM into thinking that the VATS key is there. With the "high-tech" GM immobilizer system, there's only 15 combinations of resistors, and one of them will bypass the system.

One more thing. I could be completely wrong, but I think the VATS system just turns off the fuel pump. You may be able to jerry-rig a switch and just turn the fuel pump on separately. Most OEM immobilizer systems will just not tell the injectors to fire, which there is no way around without bypassing the system.

depending on the car, VATS will do up to 2 things, lock out the starter, i take it you have already wired around the starter disable relay. the other is shut down the injectors.

for the ECM, there are 3 ways to go. you can get everything you need to have the VATS working properly, which is exspensive.

you can have VATS removed from the chip. still not cheap unless you know someone close to you that can burn you a chip.

you can get one of these & hook it up,
http://www.painlessperformance.com/w...rchField=64023

You can use an ECM from an '88, no VATS. It is service # 1228063

RBob.

well there was some success. i went to the junk yard and found an 89 formula with a 305 tbi.. i pulled the computer from it and put it in. Now I have fuel coming from the injectors but it still wont start. I havent had much time to mess with it. I may have the distributor 180* backwards.. so ill try that tomorrow..

well now im pissed off again.. i plugged in the computer and was getting fuel yesterday,yet wouldnt start, but i didnt mess with it very long. Today, I go out and i rotate the distributor 180* and now its not getting any fuel! The injectors are not firing. It has fuel pressure, so its not the fuel pump. I really dont understand this. Also, it does have spark..