Who can remove VATS and emissions from a stock LS ECU for a swap?
Three routes get VATS out of a swap PCM: mail your PCM to a swap-tuning service (LT1Swap.com charges $75 for 1998-2002 LS1/LS6 and 1999-2007 truck PCMs, $150 for 2007-2013 E37/E38/E67; PSI charges $160 for a customer-supplied P01 and lists VATS removal as included), or do it yourself in HP Tuners VCM Editor by setting System > General > Security > VATS Control to None and performing a Write Entire. Emissions-related code changes are a competition/off-road-only affair — on a street-driven swap, keep the emissions equipment functional, which is exactly what LT1Swap's programming page asks you to email them about.
Last updated
Who this applies to
- Computers: P01, P59, E38, E67, E40
- Engines: LS1, LS6, LM7, LQ4, LQ9, L59, L33, LM4, LR4, LSA, LS9, Vortec 4.8/5.3/6.0/8.1
- Transmissions: 4L60E, 4L80E, T56, 6L80E, 6L90E
- Years: 1993-2018
- Not for: road-use emissions-defeat tuning
Mail-order programming, Gen III P01/P59
- Allow the stated turnaround; return shipping of the computer is included in the price. 2-3 business day turnaround
PSI harness owners, P01 red/blue PCM
- Order PSI PCM-1004 programming for your customer-supplied 411 P01; the service list includes VATS removal, correct OS, fan temps, injector/MAF/MAP/throttle-body calibration. $160, PCM not included
DIY with HP Tuners
- VCM Editor: System > General > Security, set VATS Control to None (from Serial or PWM).
- Perform a Write Entire (not Write Calibration) so the OS-level change takes effect.
- On E38/E67/E92, disable both VATS patches on the OS tab and set the VATS DTCs (P0513, P0633, P1629, P1630/P1631/P1632) to No Error Reported as backup. 2 VATS patches + VATS DTCs
Careful
- Charge the battery above 12.0V and unplug the charger before any Write Entire — a failed full write can brick a Gen III PCM, which has no protected bootloader.
- Any emissions-code deletion is for competition/off-road vehicles only; street-driven swaps must keep emissions equipment functional.
Go deeper
Check this first
- Cranks, starts, then dies within seconds = PCM anti-theft cutting fuel (the classic VATS start-and-die).
- Check the Security MIL and scan for VATS DTCs (P0513, P0633, P1629, P1630/P1631/P1632) before assuming the tune is at fault.
Try this, then this
- Re-read the file and confirm VATS Control is actually set to None and that a Write Entire completed — a calibration-only write will not apply it. — VATS lives at the OS level on Gen III; only a full write changes it. Worked if: Engine starts and runs after the corrected rewrite.
- On E38/E67/E92, disable both OS-tab VATS patches and set the VATS DTCs to No Error Reported as backup. — Gen IV/V theft logic lives in the OS patches, not a single switch. Worked if: No VATS DTCs set and the engine runs.
How you know it's fixed
- Engine starts and keeps running with no Security light; injector pulse present during crank.
Key numbers
| What | Value |
|---|---|
| LT1Swap anti-theft removal scope | all swap PCMs |
| LT1Swap Gen III swap programming price | $75 |
| LT1Swap 1998-2002 LS1 programming price | $75 |
| LT1Swap E38/E67 programming price | $150 |
| LT1Swap turnaround | 2-3 business days |
| PSI P01 programming application | 1997-2007 LS/Vortec Gen III red/blue P01 |
| PSI programming includes VATS removal | included in service |
| Garrett Tuning VATS delete scope | 2010-2015 Camaro LS3/L99 |
| Failed full-write risk on Gen III PCM | can brick the PCM |
Every option we know of
| Maker / product | Part # | Fits | Price | Where | Status / notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSI (Performance Systems Integration) P01 PCM programming service, customer-supplied PCM | PCM-1004 | 1997-2007 LS/Vortec Gen III red/blue P01 | $160 (PCM not included) | psiconversion.com | In production For use with PSI harnesses only |
| Garrett Tuning Mail-in VATS delete service | 2010-2015 Camaro LS3/L99 | not listed | garretttuning.com | In production VATS delete only; contact for additional services | |
| eBay seller (Urbana, MO) Mail-in VATS anti-theft delete service, 99-07 GM | 1999-2007 GM LS PCMs | ebay.com/itm/125913652988 | In production Programming service only; you mail your PCM to their shop | ||
| HP Tuners MPVI interface + VCM Suite credits (DIY VATS disable) | P01/P59/E38/E67/E92 | interface plus per-VIN credits | hptuners.com | In production Needs laptop, fully charged battery, and a Write Entire | |
| Open source (PCM Hammer + Universal Patcher) Free Gen III read/flash and tuning tools | Gen III P01/P59 | free (needs OBDLink-class adapter) | github.com/LegacyNsfw/PcmHacks, universalpatcher.net | DIY Community-supported; no hand-holding |
Prices are approximate as of September 2026. We list every option we know of, including small shops and used parts we can't link to. Confirm fitment with the seller.