I'm pretty sure you're gonna need the mc3r to use a remote. The r stands for remote and the shock is spring loaded so it will return to the open setting when you release the remote.
I had one on a fuel 98 that the local trek rep gave me to use for awhile, I also had a reba with the remote on it and sram makes a really great dual remote lockout that would string one cable through both remotes and since they are sprung opposite directions it would either lock-out or open both ends at the same time. Way cool!!!
Unfortunatly they can't convert one to the other either if I remember correctly, still give them a call and know for sure since it may have changed since I played with that setup.