Classic Cars and Car alarms: Advice?

[demios]

After browsing the General Car Talk, I've noticed that there's been a few Classic Celicas stolen recently. Not to mention I lost my keys at work today, and found out that it's really easy to start my RA28 without them. (I found my keys an hour later. Turns out they'd fallen out of my pocket and were run over by a truck.)

So! I'm thinking of getting an alarm and installing it as a bit of a DIY job, along with the Central Locking kit I bought.

Anyone have any recommendations for older cars, and especially the Classic Celicas?

My current Anti-Theft device is removing the Rotor out of the Distributor, but I'm not sure that's enough anymore...

[airfireman1]

That is a start. over here in the west it is mandatory to have an imobiliser fitted. Not much use on a classic , so most have an alarm imobiliser and I also have a fuel cut switch fitted in a secret spot so the pump wont operate.
Cheers Dave

[Rex_Kelway]

Rex once heard that its 10% the alarm and 90% the installation.

Jaycar does some good kits.

[blakeg]

Rex once heard that its 10% the alarm and 90% the installation.

Jaycar does some good kits.

very true...

[MWP]

^^^ Also agreed.

Do the install yourself if you can.
Put the box way up inside the dash where you cant get to it normally (ie, take the dash out to install it).

I would recommend a Mongoose M80 alarm.
They are very good.

[demios]

I'm also pondering adding a switch/relay or two of my own and a Key/switch hidden somewhere for when I park it in questionable areas, or leave it alone for long periods, much like what Dave has said.

Thing is, what would I disconnect? I'm pretty sure I've still got a Mechanical Fuel Pump, so I can't really disconnect that. Other option would be the starter, I guess... Or the Coil? (I've done the replacement of the points with 22R Distributor internals) I've still got the 'ol 18R-C under the hood. I do want to upgrade to an engine with EFI, but that's a long way down the track.

[Ben Wilson]

If you disable the starter the car can still be push started, the coil is a better bet.

[skiddz]

i just take the coil - dizzy lead much cheaper

[airfireman1]

best thing is to install a shut off valve in your fuel line comming from the tank then. You can have it just slightly hidden either in the engine bay or just under your driver side sill paanel. No fuel = no run.
its too easy to hotwire an old car and just removing one lead will not imobilse it.
Nothing cannot be stolen! its JUST HOW HARD AND HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE. Thats what will put someone off
Dave

[Z2TT]

I encourage every Classic Celica Owner, and for that fact everybody who doesn't have some sort of security to install it, even an Immobilizer goes a long way if Installed properly.

$100 - $400 for Security devices is worth it when your pride and Joy is worth thousands, tens of thousands for most Toymodders.

Put the box way up inside the dash where you cant get to it normally (ie, take the dash out to install it).

This is the best advice, All places will install your immobilisers box below the kick panel, you are paying them to make your car easy to steal.

[oldeskewltoy]

*IF* theft is your concern... and theft by driving it away, I have a 100% successful solution...


This device has yet to be defeated..............

http://www.ravelco.com/description.htm

[vanman]

*IF* theft is your concern... and theft by driving it away, I have a 100% successful solution...


This device has yet to be defeated..............

http://www.ravelco.com/description.htm

Unless you believe this thread... http://www.honda-tech.com/showthread...2069021&page=4


I'd back it up with a gps type alarm system just in case, but from the look of it, you could probably mock up an crude equivalent to this system with a couple of trailer plugs, with wires cris-crossing the plug you take with you... looks like a small plug though, and would be easier to hide and also to take with you, so bonus points for that.

Would be a better system if it was maybe disguised into a fake cigarette lighter or something like that...

Cheers
Vanman

[demios]

I've actually drawn up some circuit diagrams to set up a Keyless/remoteless ignition/entry system using an RFID system. Still trying to figure out some other details like how to tie it in with an alarm/immobiliser, but it will basically replace the ignition barrel with a little black box of relays that'll sit deep within the dash.

I've got some 12V RFID reader/relays on order so once they arrive and I start tinkering around, I should have a more secure setup than what I currently have.

But with anything, if someone wants it bad enough, there won't be much that will stop them. That Ravelco 'key' is a nice idea, and would slow down any thief, but to solely rely on one is a bit naive.

[MOOKIE]

If you install a kill switch make sure the thief doesn't know it's there place it inside somewhere and use a demister button or something like that, I had a Bedford van with the kill switch mounted in the grill
So it was very obvious to whoever was watching.

[gmonkey]

my first car (Laser TX3) i setup my killswitch on the 'Economy" Aircon switch (it has two aircon switches for some god knows reason and economy did nothing) that was setup off the coilpack... that car is long gone now im guessing its probably dead too


im thinking of getting one of those alarms that have an LCD screen remote and the remote tells you when your alarms going off upto 3km away (supposably)


anyone know how much gps microdotting costs?