Corvette "switchblade" key FOB
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 8,220
Likes: 208
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,283
Likes: 16
From: Katy Tx
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
This would be a modification to an existing Corvette flip-key fob. I do not have the tools to manufactuer the units themselves...or I would have one by now. 
Assuming you could somehow get your existing key to mount, those would work but only with aftermarket alarm systems.
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
From: Redmond Washington
Just got off the phone with that Hoffman company, vette owners would have to by a transponder bypass unit to use their keys. It's about $50 so the total with key and unit would be a little less than $150...that's a lot for a cool key...
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: Cliffside Park NJ
..this way is cheaper, aaaand ur not bypassing the security feature of having a vats chip in ur key
Last edited by Retro99; Feb 27, 2010 at 12:42 AM.
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
From: Redmond Washington
i would just buy it and customize a GM blank with the correct Vats chip to fit in their flip unit just like their blank. its not that hard.. cut the head off ur key and shape it the same as the blank they send u. anyone with a dremmel and a steady hand could do it
..this way is cheaper, aaaand ur not bypassing the security feature of having a vats chip in ur key
..this way is cheaper, aaaand ur not bypassing the security feature of having a vats chip in ur key
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Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
I picked one up from a Forum member a few weeks ago. The key was already cut for another car, and that key had a differnet VATS number, but after a little R&R, it came out great 
- Bought a replacement double-sided key blank with the correct VATS # from that auction site for like $7,
- Had local hardware store cut key
- Removed old key from switchblade remote (remove the dowel pin holding the key to the switch)
- cut head of new key to match old key for insertion into the remote (I used a Dremel with a cutting wheel)
- Reinsert dowel into new key and remote base
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
Update: I was able to completely dis-assemble the Flip-key FOB. I had a rather challenging time disassembling the top portion trying not to makee perminant marks in the housing with the screwdrivers. In the end, this made acceessing the dowl rod that holds the key MUCH easier:
Unfortionatly, there just doesn't look like there's enough room for a LED and a button like i'd hoped. I'm still looking into this and considering tapping power from the FOB remote to a PLCC2 LED and a VERY tiny button-switch to be placed in the cavity next to the key hinge. Stay tuned for that one....
This picture shows the dowel rod position. By cutting the sharp eedge from a traditional nail, I held the nail with pliers and gently tapped it with a hammer to push the dowl out.
Cutting my spare key was rather easy once i had a good view of the original key. Three cuts with a dremel cut-off wheel and a small slit where the dowl would sit. I set the newly cut key in the hinge mechanism then used a 1/16" drill bit to make sure the notch would be a good seat for the dowl rod.
The rest of the transfer was following the install guide.
Unfortionatly, there just doesn't look like there's enough room for a LED and a button like i'd hoped. I'm still looking into this and considering tapping power from the FOB remote to a PLCC2 LED and a VERY tiny button-switch to be placed in the cavity next to the key hinge. Stay tuned for that one....
This picture shows the dowel rod position. By cutting the sharp eedge from a traditional nail, I held the nail with pliers and gently tapped it with a hammer to push the dowl out.
Cutting my spare key was rather easy once i had a good view of the original key. Three cuts with a dremel cut-off wheel and a small slit where the dowl would sit. I set the newly cut key in the hinge mechanism then used a 1/16" drill bit to make sure the notch would be a good seat for the dowl rod.
The rest of the transfer was following the install guide.
