Advice for keyless entry on a 1980?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,944
Likes: 4,504
From: Virginia
The ignition key unlocks the steering column. So you need an ignition key. A keyless entry doesn't gain you much unless you defeat the column lock. With an LS or EFI swap, you could do a pushbutton start. But anything short of that is just extra steps.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,814
Likes: 1,722
From: Summerville SC
I did a keyless entry ( you still needed a remote fob) on my 78. A1 electric I believe the part was WO1 TW. Somewhere around $100. Came with central locking system etc. you could add modules for remote start etc. . You can pick and choose what you want. I was very happy and their customer service was great. I had an issue aligning actuator rods and after some discussion they realized there was a newer version of the actuators that made that step in the process easy and they set me up. I would recommend them and the product greatly. And you don,t need power locks already in the car. The kit comes with everything you need. Good luck 
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,383
Likes: 385
From: Leland , North Carolina
I did a keyless entry ( you still needed a remote fob) on my 78. A1 electric I believe the part was WO1 TW. Somewhere around $100. Came with central locking system etc. you could add modules for remote start etc. . You can pick and choose what you want. I was very happy and their customer service was great. I had an issue aligning actuator rods and after some discussion they realized there was a newer version of the actuators that made that step in the process easy and they set me up. I would recommend them and the product greatly. And you don,t need power locks already in the car. The kit comes with everything you need. Good luck
Pro
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 571
Likes: 101
From: Texas
My 1980 didn't come with power door locks, so I did the research and found some actuators on ebay that would work with my doors. You also have to order the little levers that hook up to these actuators so that it ends up being an oem hook up. After that I ordered a Viper Alarm system with the pager system, which is suppose to communicate with your key fob with in the 1.5 miles. Doesn't really go that far, maybe a mile if your lucky. Better than nothing though. You are also going to need 2 relays to activate your actuators. Pretty simple, lots of videos on how to connect them on youtube.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,383
Likes: 385
From: Leland , North Carolina
My 1980 didn't come with power door locks, so I did the research and found some actuators on ebay that would work with my doors. You also have to order the little levers that hook up to these actuators so that it ends up being an oem hook up. After that I ordered a Viper Alarm system with the pager system, which is suppose to communicate with your key fob with in the 1.5 miles. Doesn't really go that far, maybe a mile if your lucky. Better than nothing though. You are also going to need 2 relays to activate your actuators. Pretty simple, lots of videos on how to connect them on youtube.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,944
Likes: 4,504
From: Virginia
Do you have a link to the unit they are installing? I'm assuming Viper of some sort.
Is lock actuation via BlueTooth on your phone sufficient to call it "keyless"? Will you still need your ignition key?
Is lock actuation via BlueTooth on your phone sufficient to call it "keyless"? Will you still need your ignition key?
Pro
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 571
Likes: 101
From: Texas
Viper
If your want keyless entry, you might as well take advantage of the other accessories that will come with that alarm such as: obviously engine kill, power door lock/unlock, flashing lights, and add a good perimeter sensor so that you don't have to worry that much when your t tops are off. Fyi, you still have to worry, just not that much. LOL.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,214
Likes: 302
I put the Advanced Keys keyless start system on my 1971 Camaro. Have had it on there since around 2010. Never once have had a failure or issue with it. But just in case, I have the factory ignition switch on the column wired "in parallel" with the keyless system. If the keyless system ever fails I can still put the key in the ignition and start the car.
I eliminated the mechanical steering lock so I don't need the key. It came with a factory Lexus push button.
The system has a lot of great security features on it... I use it to disable the fuel pump and the power trunk opener unless the system detects the key fob. However, again, in case the system fails, I keep a jumper wire to bypass the security lockout on the fuel pump (I have a connector in a secret location that can plug the jumper into).
The car didn't come with power door locks and I didn't feel like adding them, so I don't use that feature.
Overall, one of the coolest things I've done to the car.
I eliminated the mechanical steering lock so I don't need the key. It came with a factory Lexus push button.
The system has a lot of great security features on it... I use it to disable the fuel pump and the power trunk opener unless the system detects the key fob. However, again, in case the system fails, I keep a jumper wire to bypass the security lockout on the fuel pump (I have a connector in a secret location that can plug the jumper into).
The car didn't come with power door locks and I didn't feel like adding them, so I don't use that feature.
Overall, one of the coolest things I've done to the car.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,383
Likes: 385
From: Leland , North Carolina
No. I just want a key fob to open door. Nothing fancy. I had one installed on my 81 but that was 20 years ago.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,383
Likes: 385
From: Leland , North Carolina
If your want keyless entry, you might as well take advantage of the other accessories that will come with that alarm such as: obviously engine kill, power door lock/unlock, flashing lights, and add a good perimeter sensor so that you don't have to worry that much when your t tops are off. Fyi, you still have to worry, just not that much. LOL.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,814
Likes: 1,722
From: Summerville SC
Here is the one I used. I also didn't need any of the other stuff so I just cut the wires.
https://www.a1electric.com/Merchant2...Code=W01F-712T
https://www.a1electric.com/Merchant2...Code=W01F-712T
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,383
Likes: 385
From: Leland , North Carolina
Here is the one I used. I also didn't need any of the other stuff so I just cut the wires.
https://www.a1electric.com/Merchant2...Code=W01F-712T
https://www.a1electric.com/Merchant2...Code=W01F-712T
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 176
Likes: 44
There's a ton of options out there, on my 72 Charger I used digital gaurd dog Automotive Keyless Ignition Kits - Digital Guard Dawg
It was the only one I could find that would work with what I was doing, they do have solenoids for door poppers, and trunk (Doesn't affect us I guess,) but it was a fairly easy system to install, and it's been working great for 4 years.
Am I worried someones going to catch the RFID signal and steal my car? Good luck, it takes almost an engineering degree to start, and it's a six speed with a very heavy clutch.
The reason I went this way was Chrysler ignitions have dead spots between run and start, GM too I think, and with EFI you need a constant 12V to the ECU to function. I originally used terminal relays with capacitors to fake out the dead spot.
It was the only one I could find that would work with what I was doing, they do have solenoids for door poppers, and trunk (Doesn't affect us I guess,) but it was a fairly easy system to install, and it's been working great for 4 years.
Am I worried someones going to catch the RFID signal and steal my car? Good luck, it takes almost an engineering degree to start, and it's a six speed with a very heavy clutch.
The reason I went this way was Chrysler ignitions have dead spots between run and start, GM too I think, and with EFI you need a constant 12V to the ECU to function. I originally used terminal relays with capacitors to fake out the dead spot.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,814
Likes: 1,722
From: Summerville SC
It was a fairly easy job. THe most difficult was their wiring directions, there aren't much of them. I guess because it has s many options you could get carried away. But came complete with the required relay, the actuators ( I didn't have any in my car so I can't say how they will work with the OEM ones. I had my doors apart rebuilding everythingso this was the firs thing to go in and I had plenty of room. I also got the central switch option to put in the center console ( where my rear defogger switch used to be). Ny redsesigned doors have no lockin **** so I could either have used the fob or this central switch. I am very happy with it. If you get to that point, let me know and I will help you out anyway I can. Thx. Jim
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,383
Likes: 385
From: Leland , North Carolina
It was a fairly easy job. THe most difficult was their wiring directions, there aren't much of them. I guess because it has s many options you could get carried away. But came complete with the required relay, the actuators ( I didn't have any in my car so I can't say how they will work with the OEM ones. I had my doors apart rebuilding everythingso this was the firs thing to go in and I had plenty of room. I also got the central switch option to put in the center console ( where my rear defogger switch used to be). Ny redsesigned doors have no lockin **** so I could either have used the fob or this central switch. I am very happy with it. If you get to that point, let me know and I will help you out anyway I can. Thx. Jim
