free VATS removal
free VATS removal In case anyone didn’t know, you can remove VATS from your swap project for free.
before pulling your donor engine start the vehicle and let it run.
find the BCM and remove all the wiring connections from it.
this keeps the BCM from communicating with the ECM.
the security light should illuminate at this time.
shut down the engine.
IF you already pulled your donor engine/ECM this can still be done by finding a running “like” vehicle by swapping the donor ECM into the running vehicle and performing a 30 minute key relearn. Then follow the above instructions…
before pulling your donor engine start the vehicle and let it run.
find the BCM and remove all the wiring connections from it.
this keeps the BCM from communicating with the ECM.
the security light should illuminate at this time.
shut down the engine.
IF you already pulled your donor engine/ECM this can still be done by finding a running “like” vehicle by swapping the donor ECM into the running vehicle and performing a 30 minute key relearn. Then follow the above instructions…
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
Has anyone deleted vats on E38 by unplugging bcm? Okay, so here I am attempting to revive a dead thread. Well, hey, "nothing is impossible to the one who believes" right? Im familiar with the popular YouTube gen 3 (1999-2007) vats delete by unplugging the bcm while the engine is running. Has anyone actually done this on a gen 4 (2007-2013)? Maybe someone has done it on even later stuff. I realize this is an LS1 forum, but I'm certain you guys have plenty of relevant experience to answer the next question anyway. Is there any reason an 07 5.3 V8 e38 truck ecm should not be installed in an 09 with a 5.3 for the purpose of this delete? Im aware that in my case the 07 had a 4l60e trany and no fpdm. I have other option as well- E38 from a 2011 5.3 with 6L80, or an e38 from 2013 5.3 with 6l80. The 2009 does have the fpdm already. Basically i need to know if there is a significant enough difference between years in a V8 E38 to hurt anything by installing an E38 which is little just similar enough for the vehicle to actually still run on. I can imagine that these questions have been answered somewhere, but I just haven't been able to find where..
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
No free vats delete I tried unplugging the bcm on a 2011 silverado (with the e38 ecm) the other day as a means of deleting vats. That does work on the old 2003-2006 era, but only until you delete check engine codes, and then vats returns. The way it is done on the 2003-2006 is to leave the engine running while you unplug every connector from the bcm. When I tried this on a 2011, it died halfway through unplugging the bcm connecters. No, it does not work on a 2011 silverado with a e38 ecm.
