The best description I heard was "The camaro SS looks like it could kick your ass. The WS6 looks like it's on the way over to kick your ass right this minute"
WP The Only 6 speeds are unicorns here in PR! I know over 40 people with F-Bodies here and only 5 are manuals. I never wanted to lower it since it was my daily and it scraped sometimes even with stock springs.
I had a friend who had a 2000 ws6 with the six speed. Holy hell... that car was a violent brute. I can't remember if those had traction control, but it was crap if it did. Lol. That car wanted to tear loose in every gear.
@@jacobk1406 I'd argue that the third gens were decent. Especially if you do a "Kitt" build. But your right in should of said started making good cars "again".
Solstice is not a good car. It may be FR layout, and have double wishbone suspension on all 4 corners, the engine was a parts bin special - unreliable.
youngb1ood While you’re not completely wrong as far as the LNF being a parts special goes, but it isn’t at all an unreliable engine. Quite the opposite, really.
I got an 1999 ls1 ss Holden commodore in Australia, I’ve done full rebuild from bottom up heads cam hydraulic pistons etc made 443whp, with the 3:9 ratio and t56 manual it’s a weapon on the streets, love it 😍
My manual TA ran a 13.3 at 107 when it was totally stock, street tires, and original slipping 120k mile clutch. It now is a headers, cam, air lid, and tube car and runs 12.0’s
These things would run high 12s with nothing more than sticky tires and a good driver pretty much off the showroom floor. That was amazing for the time they came out and still respectable even today.
I just bought a 2002 anniversary yellow with 27,000 miles. Great car and I agree, these FBody cars are really last of the true muscle car area. Love the car.
koab78 it looks like it’s a TA with a formula bumper. It has a TA wing and the WS6 hood (which both could have in 98. I could be wrong but I don’t think you could get a formula WS6 in 99-02 formulas and WS6 were then 2 separate packages).
@@CountryAggie80 the doors would say Trans Am and not Firebird. It's a Formula with a WS6 hood. The intake wouldn't be covered that way if it had real ram air.
@@CountryAggie80 its a formula that someone put a trans am hatch on and an aftermarket WS6 hood..pretty common thing to do. They did make WS6 formulas from 96-00, came with all the same upgrades as the TA WS6.
I think you're on to something here. SLP on the breather as well. Only F-bodies that I know of that ever said SLP anywhere was the first F-body Firehawks. 93-95. After that GM quit Farming out the top hod rod goodies and just built them themselves
No Scott, the SLP option was available on all V8 GM F-bodies in that time period. Firehawks were a special edition that sadly didn't catch on. RIP Pontiac :-(
One of the meanest looking cars in your review mirror. Pontiac got it right then boom gone. So sad The Trans am was the better looking of the three pony cars.
I’m 16 years old and I currently drive a 2014 Honda CRV. I share it with my brother and sister when they’re home from college, which essentially means during the summer. I’ve always said this, it’s the perfect first car for anyone who isn’t like me. I am extremely fortunate to have it. It is reliable, I’ve never had a mechanical problem with it, it is safe, my brother and sister have each been hit in it and they were completely fine, and it has enough room for friends and cargo. With all that said, it is horribly boring to drive, which for a car lover like me is not ideal. I’ve been looking to buy another car on the side, one that can help me learn about maintenance and modifying, and I have to say, the WS6 Trans AM is at the top of my list. I don’t want to spend much more than 7k, and I love the idea of a t-top car. Ideally I’d get a manual, t-top trans am with a reasonable amount of miles. This video completely reassured my hopes and dreams of buying one of these in the near future.
I have a 1998 Trans Am WS6. It was my dream car when I was 16. I love the look and I believe it still holds up today. The "snout" is so aggressive! The whole hood looks muscular and mean!
Lol I own a 1995 LT1 Trans Am. Love it. Got it when I turned 16 and I'm almost 18. The LT1 is a great platform to create a fast drag car. My buddy has a Pro Charged Eagle Forged LT1 and makes 950 to the wheels. Went from 350 to 383. It's a 9 second car. Great platforms to start with!
It's great overall. But straight is what it's better at... I had Koni/Strano Shocks/struts/spring, Strano sways, UMI subframe connectors,lower control arms,A arms on my 01 catfish... And my GTO will drive circles around it.... But in a straight line my FBO Z28 will put one on my GTO with similar mods.
Ive had my 1999 Firebird since 2008, it was my first car in High school. Still got it to this day! I got it with the 3800 V6 and swapped in a 2004 Corevette Ls1 in 2012. Still a great car. now that i got a new daily, its getting spoiled with performance mods ;)
Dream car. DREAM CAR! These things look SO MEAN especially when murdered out. even today, i think the exterior design is one of the best GM ever produced. The interior is a different story, but we wont go there. I have wanted one of these since i was in high school. im over 30 now lol
Thanks for the video. I have an 02 WS6 Trans am black on black. In the process of installing the Hot cammed LS3 with the 4L75. This car is a great foundation to start drag racing and road course. Lots of potential with bolt ons. Last year of the Trans am and ttops. My car was next to last on the last production assembly line. I still have the window sticker and all paperwork. I am 50yo and this is one of my top 5 dream cars. Thanks
@mcharleau A red trans am ws6 ls1 intake t top or convertable is my dream. Can you teach me your ways? I live in Florida. Been hunting for over 6 months. Thanks. (I'm 20 btw)
I love the ram air 'nostrils'... I still remember the commercial for the T/A in like '97 or '98 where it "ate" the car in front of it at a stoplight...fell in love with it. I've always loved T/As though.
Pontiac Maniac the way to do it is pickup a v6 car with a blown engine and find a wrecked 5th or 6th gen Camaro with a v8 of course that takes way more skill than your average person has to put together
Just A Car Guy Named Tom u know fbody doesn’t just describe the 90’s early 2000’s camaro firebirds right? The Fbody platform started in 1967, with both camaro and firebird being built side by side.
Back when this car was released a friend of mine bought a new one of these from the dealership. This was his first purchase after he won a lottery prize for $500,000! Unfortunately, he lost all of his money being a big baller. He still has the car, but it is falling apart. Even though he lost all of his money, he does have some epic stories to tell of the year he was living life in the fast lane! 💰🏎️💨
I also have a 02 2v mustang on spray(100 shot) and I still have second thoughts about lining up with a F body they are no joke. I had a trans am ls1 for about three month and those where the best three months of my life !
@@Vothify TH400 cars dont dyno well. They will show low numbers. Before the trans swap I would've guessed around 370-390 at the wheels without nitrous. That's the average for cam only bolt on set ups.
From Colorado, it's an honor to have you in my island having a great time with my people, God bless you and keep making good videos, and of course, SHOW OFF MY ISLAND IN YOUR VIDEOS!!!!!! lol
My first LS experience was in high school in my best friends 2001 firehawk and I’ve loved the F-Body Trans Am since then because they’re underrated and very responsive to mods plus get near 30mpg when we’d take trips for us broke teenagers back then great video David bringing memories back on throwback Thursday buddy. #BowTiePower
Bob The the problem is the torque is so addicting it’s almost impossible to keep your foot outta the throttle and drive under 3000rpm almost all the time but my best friend was very disciplined in his when we were in high school compared to everybody else.
The hood look awesome that's why I got one. The looks and the light engine with power. I put a 418 ls2 in it and it runs in the 10's with slicks and a 9" Moser.
I got a 95 camaro z28 which is my dream car since my dad bought a 93 z28 brand new in 94, I prefer the shark faces over a catfish though. Trans ams are dope af too though. #teamfbody
Same. 95z myself. I love these things. Definitely changing some things in the works, but always puts a smile on my face chirping tires into second gear stock.
Bone stock LS1 TA WS6 runs 13.5 @ 107.4mph. Heads, Tune, Exhaust, bolt ons etc... guys are in the mid-upper 12's. Add a supercharger and they are in the 11 second club. The LS1 is the hero haha
They accomplished a 9.3 G's on the skid pad testing which is great for the size and weight of these cars, very good at cornering stock and a lot more to be improved on with all the aftermarket support from many companies!!!
Exactly! It is very annoying when people give miss information. F body represent every Camaro and firebird from 1967 till now! Not just the 4th generation of the 90's and early 2000's.
I turned 16 the year they brought the Camaro/T/A back on the F body platform. There's an S550 Mustang in my garage but a black on black WS6 Ram Air T/A will probably always be one of my favorite cars ever made.
I bought a 95 firebird formula in February. Love the thing. It’s basically a trans am but without as many options. I actually think the formula is better for drag racing for that reason. Trans am is a well known name if you want to nock the price down you go for a formula because people aren’t so familiar with the name
My car is the same color pewter. It's a 2002 WS6 TransAm 6speed. My car is a factory freak. I bought it box stock in 2012 and I ran it on a chassis dyno with just a few free mods, headers, and catless y-pipe connected to the very restrictive factory cat back. It put down 398rwhp @5500 and 419RWftlbs@4500rpm. The car has had a few more free mods since then including one that everyone needs and very very few people have any clue about. I also added a 4" spintech catback to the 3" catless y-pipe (big improvement and doesnt pop coming off a rev and isnt raspy). My car right now is about 100 miles away from 65,000 miles.
I had a heads/cam 04 gto and got rid of it at 105k miles and the trans didnt skip a beat. Had a 3200 converter too. I always hear they are so weak but mine was a trooper.
That hood is awesome! The flush mounted headlights on the Camaro look awful. The resessed headlights were better. But the TA was and is a great looking car. POPUP UPNDOWN HEADLIGHTS!
When are you gonna review one with a stick that’s set up for grip or drifting? They’re an incredible chassis for that as well. If you’re saying this one handles poorly, there’s probably something wrong with it. They were able to pull .9 g’s in the 90’s... that’s better than a lot of cars today still. Any car can go fast in a straight line but the f body is so much more than a drag car!
I've owned a 96 A4 Z28, 02 M6 SS droptop, and a 01 M6 Firehawk. And if there's one thing I can say, is that these cars are a blank canvas when it comes to modding and track or drag racing.
That's not a Trans Am. Trans Am is a trim on the Firebird. This is a Firebird Formula with a Trans Am hatch swapped on. It has the Formula front fascia and cloth seats. EVERY Trans Am came with leather seats. It's not a big deal, it's just not a Trans Am.
And the ws6 formula is much more rare than a ws6 TA. I also have a hatch switched formula. Not my choice. Prefer the low spoiler of the standard body. Had one of those brand new (00 Formula, auto...no ws6). This car now is probably third or fourth owner. Anyway, it's a ton of fun. Just finished paint and brakes.
Currently 16 and its my first car, got it at 15, all i can say is great things. picked up a used vortech, king of the Tampa highschools lol, and pretty alright on the streets.
I'm a huge Mustang guy. I've had them all. GT500s, Bullitts, Cobras and lots of 03/04 Mach 1s. I picked up a 1998 Trans Am WS6 and I have to say, it blew me away. Compared to any New Edge (besides the 03/04 Cobra) this blows them away. It just feels more like a muscle car and the T-Tops are just awesome. It handles better than my 2001 Bullitt that had a full suspension set up. IDK, it just surprised me I guess.
Firebird for sure! My dad use to work on both of them and he told me the fire bird/trans am had much better aerodynamics, and gas mileage too. he told me in a fire bird you can drive 65 mph in 3 gear with the 6 speed manual and still have 3 more gears to go. The engine will be reving a little high but not too bad like 3500 rpm or something like that.
David you do realize the F- Body Chassis Was Designed To Handle At High Speeds 92-02 Camaro/Firebirds are some of the best cars you can buy for Aerodynamic and Handling purposes
Definitely a base Formula (from the side badges, and no TA skirts), with a TA spoiler/rear bumper and a WS6 hood. They did make Formula WS6's (I've got a true '00 Formula WS6 with all options: power everything, leather seats, etc. LS3 swap in progress) as a reference point. Though much more rare, and less than 600 total produced from '98-00. I did put the TA hatch/spoiler on mine though. Still retains the Formy front/rear bumpers.
I honestly never used to appreciate these cars up until some years ago. I am a jdm guy at heart but somehow I found myself in a trade and I actually got an 02 converted 1995 trans am about a couple months ago and, for the 5 days I actually got to drive it before the motor started knocking(Guy lied about it being a "built" LS1 and screwed me over), it was more fun than I could have ever freakin imagined. Now I'm in the process of reworking the entire setup and getting the rebuilt LS1 I bought swapped in. The car needs a looot of work for sure, but I can get it running within the month. I almost parted out/traded it after the motor went but im glad I didnt. I traded a 2013 cruze with 113k miles. The TA has 108K on the body. Even with the situation im in, at least I can say I got the better end of the stick. Definitely top 2 wildest decisions ever. Everyone counted me out and told me I was crazy for what I was doing..but these cars are more special than a lot of people will ever understand. Long live the Last of the Breed.
What’s your point? A supercharger is a very good and successful way to make good power. Look at all the top American cars today. They almost all have a supercharger. Ford was just ahead of there time. Besides where was the trans am after 2002
i've had my WS6 since 2006. Bought from the original owner. Kept her clean. I get more thumbs up driving it than I get in my WR Blue STI. And I can't blame em.
Before I found my 04 GTO, I looked around for WS6 Trans Ams and Camaro SS' near me but I couldn't find any within my budget. I'm going on 12 years with my car and the LS1/T56 still makes me smile. Eventually I'll throw in either an LS3 or iron 6.2 with a blower.
That's actually a Firebird Formula. Which was Pontiac's way of giving you Trans Am performance. Without the Trans Am price. The easiest way to tell the difference is the front bumper. The firebirds have the amber marker lights in the nose of the bumper. Right beside the fog lights. On the Trans Am the marker lights are on the side of the front bumper. The handling is better in a Trans Am Ram Air WS6 because the WS6 package is a handling and performance option. Which bumped power up to 325hp/345tq but it's said that was underrated power numbers. 0-60mph was done in 5secs and the 1/4 mile was ran in 13.5secs. Basic bolt-ons and a tune will have you running around mid 12's.
easy peasy... Fox body mustang... thats why theres literaly millions of em on local drag tracks everywere.. the plastic firebird/camaro are rare as hens teeth by comparo....
My pick is the 02 Trans Am WS6. It has a nice aggressive look.I believe the fox body Mustangs were pretty good budget drag car, used to have an 88 notchback 5.0 LX
I do now if you have seen prices for t/a’s lately, but they aren’t cheap anymore. Some are up around 25-30k. Plus an f body isn’t just the catfish camaro, it’s all firebirds and camaros, regardless of year.
Fun fact, those things rattled when coming off the original transport truck from the factory. Almost as funny as all the z06 vetts that had to have the lower valances replaced right off the truck. The idea behind T-tops is to have the open air benefits of a targa or convertible without all the chassis flex and required frame structure those options require.
I own a 1999 red WS6 and not ONCE I have ever heard of people not liking the snouts on the hood! Quiet the contrary, they LOVE IT. I’ve been pulled by people just to check out my car. People always give me credit on the looks abs of course the scary power! I bought it brand new and only has 80k miles. For all the firebird trans am owners you would know this line from Pontiac? “The muscle car lives”.
Cam only cars with full bolt on do around 400 usually give or take depends on how aggressive the cam is and tuning etc...id say most stock bottom end heads cam ls1s with fbo and tune prob make 425-450 whp or so on average yes some cars do more it depends on the setup they dont all have 500 wheel as a rule or something its all in the combo
That year Trans Am with SLP or WS6 package did 13.6 bone stock. So full bolt ons should do mid to high 12’s! And I would take the Trans Am over the camaro any day
Finally got an LS1 Z28 at 29 years old. I've had it less than a week and love it! F-bodies are amazing. And the that trans am is one of the best looking cars ever...
![Extremely Loud 2002 Pontiac Firebird Trans-AM WS6 | [4K] | REVIEW SERIES](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/V-UKy5giKBY/mqdefault.jpg)
![Extremely Loud 2002 Pontiac Firebird Trans-AM WS6 | [4K] | REVIEW SERIES](/img/tr.png)
What’s the best budget drag car in your opinion?
ThatDudeinBlue C5 Vette
Foxbody mustang
anything with an ls in the front and 9'' in the back
ThatDudeinBlue leased scat pack
C5 vette or GTOs are getting pretty cheap these days too
The WS6 Trans Am has by far one of the most badass looking hoods ever.
language
Bob The shut the fuck up Bob
The best description I heard was "The camaro SS looks like it could kick your ass. The WS6 looks like it's on the way over to kick your ass right this minute"
@@TheFiremonkeyman language
That's not a ws6, but I agree. I love mine, timeless design for sure.
Thanks David for reviewing my Firebird. Hope you enjoyed your visit to PR!!
i wanna go to Puerto Rico now
WP The Only 6 speeds are unicorns here in PR! I know over 40 people with F-Bodies here and only 5 are manuals. I never wanted to lower it since it was my daily and it scraped sometimes even with stock springs.
@@urayo18 your car is awesome dude, with a V8 you can have plenty of fun with an automatic. A la mierda los haters.
WP... do you see the roads man? It’s no wonder why he doesn’t want to lower it at all!
I had a friend who had a 2000 ws6 with the six speed. Holy hell... that car was a violent brute. I can't remember if those had traction control, but it was crap if it did. Lol. That car wanted to tear loose in every gear.
This was right when Pontiac started to build some good cars. Trans Am, GTO, Solstice, G8. Its sad they are gone.
Started? Pontiac died after the 2nd gen firebird
@@jacobk1406 I'd argue that the third gens were decent. Especially if you do a "Kitt" build. But your right in should of said started making good cars "again".
Solstice is not a good car. It may be FR layout, and have double wishbone suspension on all 4 corners, the engine was a parts bin special - unreliable.
@@youngb1ood wrong. The LNF 2.0 Turbo is mean motor.
youngb1ood While you’re not completely wrong as far as the LNF being a parts special goes, but it isn’t at all an unreliable engine. Quite the opposite, really.
A Trans-Am with black paint looks like something Batman would drive.
come on, you can't mention Trans-Am and black in the same sentence without referencing Knight Rider, KITT!
@@Patrick94GSR well that's my loss, I didn't grow up with Knight Rider
Or Burt Reynolds? (Long before Kitt)
@@len-zeplin480 Well that's a different era Firebird though. Still a legend though.
My former co worker (still friend) would always joke with me that I drove the batmobile 🤣
98 Trans Am in black.
I got an 1999 ls1 ss Holden commodore in Australia, I’ve done full rebuild from bottom up heads cam hydraulic pistons etc made 443whp, with the 3:9 ratio and t56 manual it’s a weapon on the streets, love it 😍
Hahaha ha my bad I’m using my wife’s RUclips account ahahahaha just noticed
Jerbroni feels catfished XD
My manual TA ran a 13.3 at 107 when it was totally stock, street tires, and original slipping 120k mile clutch. It now is a headers, cam, air lid, and tube car and runs 12.0’s
@David Sanchez homeofphobic
Jordan Fournier your one of the guys not to sell a transam tooo
David Sanchez damn just got rid of my ef hatch and I want a trans am ,I can’t buy one ?
Ran a 12.85 with just headers, exhaust and tube on street tires..98 WS6 Convertible
These things would run high 12s with nothing more than sticky tires and a good driver pretty much off the showroom floor. That was amazing for the time they came out and still respectable even today.
I just bought a 2002 anniversary yellow with 27,000 miles. Great car and I agree, these FBody cars are really last of the true muscle car area. Love the car.
Saw one driving down 28 on my way home from school a couple of months ago just about broke my neck turning to look at
Take Care of it. Don't Mod it for Anything! Those were the "Last in Line" Lucky.
How's the trans am going?
Finally you get to experience the T/A you dont really see em anymore like the old days
It's not a real trans am though, check the hood
That's a Formula... base Firebird body with a V8 instead of the V6 which made it slightly lighter and slightly cheaper than the Trans Am.
koab78 it looks like it’s a TA with a formula bumper. It has a TA wing and the WS6 hood (which both could have in 98. I could be wrong but I don’t think you could get a formula WS6 in 99-02 formulas and WS6 were then 2 separate packages).
@@CountryAggie80 the doors would say Trans Am and not Firebird. It's a Formula with a WS6 hood. The intake wouldn't be covered that way if it had real ram air.
@@CountryAggie80 its a formula that someone put a trans am hatch on and an aftermarket WS6 hood..pretty common thing to do. They did make WS6 formulas from 96-00, came with all the same upgrades as the TA WS6.
I think you're on to something here. SLP on the breather as well. Only F-bodies that I know of that ever said SLP anywhere was the first F-body Firehawks. 93-95. After that GM quit Farming out the top hod rod goodies and just built them themselves
No Scott, the SLP option was available on all V8 GM F-bodies in that time period. Firehawks were a special edition that sadly didn't catch on. RIP Pontiac :-(
One of the meanest looking cars in your review mirror. Pontiac got it right then boom gone. So sad The Trans am was the better looking of the three pony cars.
I always thought they looked better than the camaro but hey somebody liked the camaro evidently
What the hell is the review mirror xD
Mark Tanteo Well their usually in my Ford thunderbird’s rear view mirror. 😂😂 Just kidding my T bird is Resting in peace.
Give all thanks to Chevrolet for that😔
Well this wasn't the end of pontiac they still did gtos after this but they are ugly imo
Picked up an 00 Z28 roller, got a 6.0 / 4l80e combo from a junkyard, take off LS3 heads, used LS9 cam, 498hp all for under $10k
Lima Bravo niceeee
The 4th gens aren't just a great platform for drag racing, they can handle great too with the right suspension mods.
Exactly my friend autocross his trans am with a few bolt ons
@@walkingtalkingmonkey4103 I won a SCCA solo 2 national championship in 1998 driving a 1988 Firebird Formula in stock class. What a fun car to drive
@@deansapp4635 facts
I'm no pro racer I'm a beginner, but the corner response makes the car fun to drive
@@walkingtalkingmonkey4103 Welcome to the fun I love autocrossing
With the right parts the chassis is quite capable most people think this is a straight line only car they are wrong. 2x the car a fox body was
I’m 16 years old and I currently drive a 2014 Honda CRV. I share it with my brother and sister when they’re home from college, which essentially means during the summer. I’ve always said this, it’s the perfect first car for anyone who isn’t like me. I am extremely fortunate to have it. It is reliable, I’ve never had a mechanical problem with it, it is safe, my brother and sister have each been hit in it and they were completely fine, and it has enough room for friends and cargo. With all that said, it is horribly boring to drive, which for a car lover like me is not ideal. I’ve been looking to buy another car on the side, one that can help me learn about maintenance and modifying, and I have to say, the WS6 Trans AM is at the top of my list. I don’t want to spend much more than 7k, and I love the idea of a t-top car. Ideally I’d get a manual, t-top trans am with a reasonable amount of miles. This video completely reassured my hopes and dreams of buying one of these in the near future.
I was always more of a fan of the Firebird/Trans Am from this generation. It just looked meaner than it's Camaro counterpart and it had pop-ups!
I have a 1998 Trans Am WS6. It was my dream car when I was 16. I love the look and I believe it still holds up today. The "snout" is so aggressive! The whole hood looks muscular and mean!
I’ve always loved these, almost bought a brand new 2002 back then
Cockstruction Worker yep bought a truck instead, more practical for my business. Now run along kid
JustJay 0312 How much were they going for?
Charles Holland my dad has a black 2002 ws6 that is fully loaded and the sticker price was 31k
Sami Joseph Yahya Thank you for the reply, i work at a Ford and Chevy dealer. 31k will get you today a 4 cylinder Mustang or Camaro.
Charles Holland no problem
Lol I own a 1995 LT1 Trans Am. Love it. Got it when I turned 16 and I'm almost 18. The LT1 is a great platform to create a fast drag car. My buddy has a Pro Charged Eagle Forged LT1 and makes 950 to the wheels. Went from 350 to 383. It's a 9 second car. Great platforms to start with!
Think Sam Strano would disagree about the "only meant to go straight" part of your review.
Honestly strano sway bars for the win
My car handles amazing thanks to Mr. Strano
Strano springs on my koni adjustables makes my ws6 handle like on rails. 👍
It's great overall. But straight is what it's better at... I had Koni/Strano Shocks/struts/spring, Strano sways, UMI subframe connectors,lower control arms,A arms on my 01 catfish... And my GTO will drive circles around it.... But in a straight line my FBO Z28 will put one on my GTO with similar mods.
@@thizizkai I've driven both quite a bit, the only advantage a GTO has over an f-body is comfort.
Ive had my 1999 Firebird since 2008, it was my first car in High school. Still got it to this day! I got it with the 3800 V6 and swapped in a 2004 Corevette Ls1 in 2012. Still a great car. now that i got a new daily, its getting spoiled with performance mods ;)
Dream car. DREAM CAR! These things look SO MEAN especially when murdered out. even today, i think the exterior design is one of the best GM ever produced. The interior is a different story, but we wont go there. I have wanted one of these since i was in high school. im over 30 now lol
Thanks for the video. I have an 02 WS6 Trans am black on black. In the process of installing the Hot cammed LS3 with the 4L75. This car is a great foundation to start drag racing and road course. Lots of potential with bolt ons. Last year of the Trans am and ttops. My car was next to last on the last production assembly line. I still have the window sticker and all paperwork. I am 50yo and this is one of my top 5 dream cars. Thanks
One of my dream cars, but definitely not “budget” where I live. It’s near impossible to find a Ws6 or even just a Trans Am for under $20,000
Where do u live where they go for 20k?! In CA it’s going up but I’ve still seen a few decent ones for 6-12k
I got my 01 trans am for 8,500
I got mine for $6500 😬😬
Born in 03 and ever since I could talk this has been my dream car along with the is300
Fr
Agreed. There is a video I watched on here of someone with an is300 and did a full 2jz swap into it. Complete sleeper.
Firebird over the Camaro hands down!! Of course I may be a bit biased as I own a '01 WS-6...
I agree the bird is prettier but I like em both! Mine is a 00 B4C
@mcharleau A red trans am ws6 ls1 intake t top or convertable is my dream. Can you teach me your ways?
I live in Florida. Been hunting for over 6 months. Thanks. (I'm 20 btw)
You can keep the troublesome pop up headlights. That's why I bought a 2002 Camaro Z28
Good old Firebird Formula!
Formula front bumper OR Trans Am rear spoiler.
Mine is titled as firebird formula trans am
Mine is a 93 with the rpo of ws9 pre ws6
Don't look like my 2002 for sure. Looks like a ws6 formula.
Plus it has cloth interior.
Still have my 02 WS6 Ramair TA but it's now got a 383 stoker over 500 HP and better brakes and tune by frost
Why do people always say not to stroke an ls1? Was it difficult and did you have any problems?
EtelorveHc49 No yet thank God .
I have an 02 Camaro.. but I love how aggressive the trans am looks
Love it!
I love the ram air 'nostrils'... I still remember the commercial for the T/A in like '97 or '98 where it "ate" the car in front of it at a stoplight...fell in love with it. I've always loved T/As though.
I always break my neck to see F bodies! I love these cars and you never see them clean
Same here I’m trying to save and scrap my pennies together for a manual ws6. Currently I’ve got a v6 convertible Firebird
Sutliff01 LT’s are cheap. LS birds are way more expensive, at least around me.
@@Sutliff01 yoo same but I got a hard top 97 manual v6 bird it's super clean. But I'm ls carb swap to it.
Pontiac Maniac the way to do it is pickup a v6 car with a blown engine and find a wrecked 5th or 6th gen Camaro with a v8 of course that takes way more skill than your average person has to put together
Just A Car Guy Named Tom u know fbody doesn’t just describe the 90’s early 2000’s camaro firebirds right? The Fbody platform started in 1967, with both camaro and firebird being built side by side.
Back when this car was released a friend of mine bought a new one of these from the dealership. This was his first purchase after he won a lottery prize for $500,000! Unfortunately, he lost all of his money being a big baller. He still has the car, but it is falling apart. Even though he lost all of his money, he does have some epic stories to tell of the year he was living life in the fast lane! 💰🏎️💨
Can't go wrong with an F body I love my 2002 SS Good video 👍
I also have a 02 2v mustang on spray(100 shot) and I still have second thoughts about lining up with a F body they are no joke. I had a trans am ls1 for about three month and those where the best three months of my life !
My 2000 Formula is a "cam only" with bolt ons and a th400. The car runs mid 11s in the 1/4, and on a 100 shot it runs 10s. These cars are stupid easy.
Old comment I know but how much rwhp?
@@Vothify TH400 cars dont dyno well. They will show low numbers. Before the trans swap I would've guessed around 370-390 at the wheels without nitrous. That's the average for cam only bolt on set ups.
@@PitchBlack_TA Thanks!
I absolutely love mine! Fun to start in the morning waking everyone up 😂
So driving Puerto Rico is like driving in Atlanta minus the potholes lol
Josh Mitchell oh lordt no potholes are a thing in PR it’s so bad we compare them to craters
dirve in the duluth lilburn area thats like driving in PR.
Puerto Rico has craters
Atlanta is a death sentence
Just bought a 94 Pontiac Firebird LT1, I love it. Has about 350hp, it's not terrible. Mainly bought it for the body style.
I love my trans am years later. 160k on it and I still beat it like it owes me money
From Colorado, it's an honor to have you in my island having a great time with my people, God bless you and keep making good videos, and of course, SHOW OFF MY ISLAND IN YOUR VIDEOS!!!!!! lol
My first LS experience was in high school in my best friends 2001 firehawk and I’ve loved the F-Body Trans Am since then because they’re underrated and very responsive to mods plus get near 30mpg when we’d take trips for us broke teenagers back then great video David bringing memories back on throwback Thursday buddy. #BowTiePower
i didnt know they can get 30mpg
Bob The yea if you use the really tall 6th gear on the highway and just turn about 1200rpm on a road trip at 65-75mph the whole time.
@@jasonhearn2331 oh
Bob The the problem is the torque is so addicting it’s almost impossible to keep your foot outta the throttle and drive under 3000rpm almost all the time but my best friend was very disciplined in his when we were in high school compared to everybody else.
The hood look awesome that's why I got one. The looks and the light engine with power. I put a 418 ls2 in it and it runs in the 10's with slicks and a 9" Moser.
2:08 S N O U T S 😤🅱️👌🔥
Favorite thing to do in PR is drive. Everything you said about driving there is accurate. So fun
I got a 95 camaro z28 which is my dream car since my dad bought a 93 z28 brand new in 94, I prefer the shark faces over a catfish though. Trans ams are dope af too though. #teamfbody
Same. 95z myself. I love these things. Definitely changing some things in the works, but always puts a smile on my face chirping tires into second gear stock.
Miss my 95 z28 Was a fun car
My 1st (& still only) car is an '03 Crown Vic P71. I love this thing!
My favorite Firebirds and Camaros were made from 1970-73. I'm an old guy though.
Not That Old? (S.D. 455 HO) LOL! Kids don't know what that Means Jelly Bean. Their heads are in the Clouds with the "WS6" Lingo, Banter, BS.
Bone stock LS1 TA WS6 runs 13.5 @ 107.4mph. Heads, Tune, Exhaust, bolt ons etc... guys are in the mid-upper 12's. Add a supercharger and they are in the 11 second club. The LS1 is the hero haha
Owned two of the T/A's...frigging loved them..miss the t-tops...and with the hatch and folding rear seat..swallowed beach stuff..no problem
They accomplished a 9.3 G's on the skid pad testing which is great for the size and weight of these cars, very good at cornering stock and a lot more to be improved on with all the aftermarket support from many companies!!!
9.3g's? you're on crack
1st.- That's a Formula not a Trans Am
2nd.- F-Body it's just the Camaro/ Firebird platform science 67, this is 4th gen f-body
Exactly! It is very annoying when people give miss information. F body represent every Camaro and firebird from 1967 till now! Not just the 4th generation of the 90's and early 2000's.
I turned 16 the year they brought the Camaro/T/A back on the F body platform. There's an S550 Mustang in my garage but a black on black WS6 Ram Air T/A will probably always be one of my favorite cars ever made.
WS-6 is my favorite f-body car for sure!🤘🏼👌🏽
I bought a 95 firebird formula in February. Love the thing. It’s basically a trans am but without as many options. I actually think the formula is better for drag racing for that reason. Trans am is a well known name if you want to nock the price down you go for a formula because people aren’t so familiar with the name
Simply the best lookin muscle car ever!!! Pontiac Trans Am. 💪
Pony car not a muscle car
@@Murica_gaming the trans am is a muscle car.. mustangs are pony’s
@@7771ham trans Ams are built on the same platform as Camaros which are pony cars
@@Murica_gaming why are the referred to as muscle cars in the commercials back in 98-02 then?
@@7771ham whoever decided to call them that is ignorant then because muscle cars died in the early 70s lol
My car is the same color pewter. It's a 2002 WS6 TransAm 6speed. My car is a factory freak. I bought it box stock in 2012 and I ran it on a chassis dyno with just a few free mods, headers, and catless y-pipe connected to the very restrictive factory cat back. It put down 398rwhp @5500 and 419RWftlbs@4500rpm. The car has had a few more free mods since then including one that everyone needs and very very few people have any clue about. I also added a 4" spintech catback to the 3" catless y-pipe (big improvement and doesnt pop coming off a rev and isnt raspy). My car right now is about 100 miles away from 65,000 miles.
Issa formula
Nice video though
Caught that too, looks like someone slapped a ram air hood and trans am hatch on there
Oh yeah, I just looked at the rear bumper
just a transam hood/spoiler
I live in the U.K. and even I’ve had an F-body! I had a ‘99 Z28 with some bolt-ons, was a fun thing to own and drive :)
Did he just call the 4l60e “stout” lmao
I wish mine was lol
The four stands for the four extra neutrals you're going to have when that sun shell shears apart
I had a heads/cam 04 gto and got rid of it at 105k miles and the trans didnt skip a beat. Had a 3200 converter too. I always hear they are so weak but mine was a trooper.
Mine always worked fine in my 10 second car but I got a built one on ls1.com for cheep so I made the swap.
rsmith137 the 4l60e in the f bodies and 4l60e in the 2004 gto’s are different .
I own a 2000WS6. Took delivery Oct. 99 Black on black!! 6sp Hurst! LOVE IT!!!!!
That hood is awesome! The flush mounted headlights on the Camaro look awful. The resessed headlights were better. But the TA was and is a great looking car. POPUP UPNDOWN HEADLIGHTS!
Totally agree!
although I don't have an LS1 F-body, I whole heartedly love my 94 Firebird Formula 6spd
Carlos Belo at least it’s a manual 👌👍🏻
When are you gonna review one with a stick that’s set up for grip or drifting? They’re an incredible chassis for that as well. If you’re saying this one handles poorly, there’s probably something wrong with it. They were able to pull .9 g’s in the 90’s... that’s better than a lot of cars today still. Any car can go fast in a straight line but the f body is so much more than a drag car!
He probably just says that because he hears so many other people who've never driven one say that
Haven’t watched a sec of this and I’m just gonna go ahead and like it
I've owned a 96 A4 Z28, 02 M6 SS droptop, and a 01 M6 Firehawk. And if there's one thing I can say, is that these cars are a blank canvas when it comes to modding and track or drag racing.
I had a 1999 WS6 formula. I miss that car so much. they are certainly lots of fun to toss around.
I’ve got an LT1 bird. 330hp 345 lb ft of torque. The LT birds are cheap.
Pontiac Maniac Got my lt1 z28 for 2k with basic mods.
how many optispark have you went through I'm on my 3rd with my LT1
I replaced it once with a reman Delco because it was breaking up at high rpm. So far so good but it's only been a few months.
@@jacobking4106 just put one in a '96 SS Impala LOL! (Same neighborhood as the Water Works)
Depends on the area and how clean they are.
The 93-97 trans ams and cameros had the lt1 the ls1 wasn't introduced until 98 and went till the end of production in 02
That's not a Trans Am. Trans Am is a trim on the Firebird. This is a Firebird Formula with a Trans Am hatch swapped on.
It has the Formula front fascia and cloth seats. EVERY Trans Am came with leather seats.
It's not a big deal, it's just not a Trans Am.
And the ws6 formula is much more rare than a ws6 TA. I also have a hatch switched formula. Not my choice. Prefer the low spoiler of the standard body. Had one of those brand new (00 Formula, auto...no ws6).
This car now is probably third or fourth owner. Anyway, it's a ton of fun. Just finished paint and brakes.
Finally I’ve been waiting for this review!!
Some of those would run high 12s stock.
yea with street tires they would run mid 13s, im sure with radials with a good driver it would hit 12s. that was crazy hero car fast in early 2000s
Yeah, with the right driver they would. I ran 12.7 in my stock 2002 Z28.
Currently 16 and its my first car, got it at 15, all i can say is great things. picked up a used vortech, king of the Tampa highschools lol, and pretty alright on the streets.
Bout time! Lol where all my firechickn bruhs at?!🐥🤙🤙
99 ws6 65,000 miles
1999 Firebird v6 unfortunately😢
George Dimopoulos nice, same year mine has 120k 6speed👍
teriaki123 99 6 speed ws6, just crossed 100k but she’s clean!
98 nbm 146k running like a raped ape
I'm a huge Mustang guy. I've had them all. GT500s, Bullitts, Cobras and lots of 03/04 Mach 1s. I picked up a 1998 Trans Am WS6 and I have to say, it blew me away. Compared to any New Edge (besides the 03/04 Cobra) this blows them away. It just feels more like a muscle car and the T-Tops are just awesome. It handles better than my 2001 Bullitt that had a full suspension set up. IDK, it just surprised me I guess.
Wrong, the mustang will always be the budget drag race car. Just go to any drag event
Boosted Lifestyle 8/10 mustangs are absolute shit. The 4th gen f body is cheaper, faster, and easier to make power than almost all mustangs ever
Firebird for sure! My dad use to work on both of them and he told me the fire bird/trans am had much better aerodynamics, and gas mileage too. he told me in a fire bird you can drive 65 mph in 3 gear with the 6 speed manual and still have 3 more gears to go. The engine will be reving a little high but not too bad like 3500 rpm or something like that.
David you do realize the F- Body Chassis Was Designed To Handle At High Speeds 92-02 Camaro/Firebirds are some of the best cars you can buy for Aerodynamic and Handling purposes
I had an 01 trans am, really nice car! Got it in 07 and back theb it RIPPED! Loved that car!
And the price of 4th gen camaros/firebirds just skyrocketed
Definitely a base Formula (from the side badges, and no TA skirts), with a TA spoiler/rear bumper and a WS6 hood.
They did make Formula WS6's (I've got a true '00 Formula WS6 with all options: power everything, leather seats, etc. LS3 swap in progress) as a reference point. Though much more rare, and less than 600 total produced from '98-00. I did put the TA hatch/spoiler on mine though. Still retains the Formy front/rear bumpers.
I just bought a 1995 mustang cobra for my first car its got a 302 5.0 5 speed converted to carborated and its got a 411 rear end :)
I honestly never used to appreciate these cars up until some years ago. I am a jdm guy at heart but somehow I found myself in a trade and I actually got an 02 converted 1995 trans am about a couple months ago and, for the 5 days I actually got to drive it before the motor started knocking(Guy lied about it being a "built" LS1 and screwed me over), it was more fun than I could have ever freakin imagined. Now I'm in the process of reworking the entire setup and getting the rebuilt LS1 I bought swapped in. The car needs a looot of work for sure, but I can get it running within the month. I almost parted out/traded it after the motor went but im glad I didnt. I traded a 2013 cruze with 113k miles. The TA has 108K on the body. Even with the situation im in, at least I can say I got the better end of the stick. Definitely top 2 wildest decisions ever. Everyone counted me out and told me I was crazy for what I was doing..but these cars are more special than a lot of people will ever understand. Long live the Last of the Breed.
Terminator cobra was the king of the early 2000’s
James Wiles stock for stock these cars go head to head
@@HunterM430 they're kinda close but the Cobra has 80 more to the crank stock and has a blower
Ford needed a supercharger to keep up😂
What’s your point? A supercharger is a very good and successful way to make good power. Look at all the top American cars today. They almost all have a supercharger. Ford was just ahead of there time. Besides where was the trans am after 2002
Don’t get me wrong I love the Trans Am but I still think the Cobra was the king of the early 2000’s
i've had my WS6 since 2006. Bought from the original owner. Kept her clean. I get more thumbs up driving it than I get in my WR Blue STI. And I can't blame em.
Finally another fbody
Before I found my 04 GTO, I looked around for WS6 Trans Ams and Camaro SS' near me but I couldn't find any within my budget. I'm going on 12 years with my car and the LS1/T56 still makes me smile. Eventually I'll throw in either an LS3 or iron 6.2 with a blower.
Why are you calling it a TA? Its a Formula and they added the hood and the lift gate, the front cover is a V6 bumper.
That's actually a Firebird Formula. Which was Pontiac's way of giving you Trans Am performance. Without the Trans Am price. The easiest way to tell the difference is the front bumper. The firebirds have the amber marker lights in the nose of the bumper. Right beside the fog lights. On the Trans Am the marker lights are on the side of the front bumper. The handling is better in a Trans Am Ram Air WS6 because the WS6 package is a handling and performance option. Which bumped power up to 325hp/345tq but it's said that was underrated power numbers. 0-60mph was done in 5secs and the 1/4 mile was ran in 13.5secs. Basic bolt-ons and a tune will have you running around mid 12's.
easy peasy... Fox body mustang... thats why theres literaly millions of em on local drag tracks everywere..
the plastic firebird/camaro are rare as hens teeth by comparo....
They have to take the LS from this car to make the Fox fast tho 🤷🏻♂️
My pick is the 02 Trans Am WS6. It has a nice aggressive look.I believe the fox body Mustangs were pretty good budget drag car, used to have an 88 notchback 5.0 LX
Welcome Bro 🙏☝🐓✊👊💪✌ Puerto Rico
I do now if you have seen prices for t/a’s lately, but they aren’t cheap anymore. Some are up around 25-30k.
Plus an f body isn’t just the catfish camaro, it’s all firebirds and camaros, regardless of year.
Fun fact, those things rattled when coming off the original transport truck from the factory. Almost as funny as all the z06 vetts that had to have the lower valances replaced right off the truck.
The idea behind T-tops is to have the open air benefits of a targa or convertible without all the chassis flex and required frame structure those options require.
I own a 1999 red WS6 and not ONCE I have ever heard of people not liking the snouts on the hood! Quiet the contrary, they LOVE IT. I’ve been pulled by people just to check out my car. People always give me credit on the looks abs of course the scary power! I bought it brand new and only has 80k miles. For all the firebird trans am owners you would know this line from Pontiac? “The muscle car lives”.
A heads cam LS1 makes a decent amount more than 400 wheel
Ya the lt1 with heads cam header tune will make 400
Cam only cars with full bolt on do around 400 usually give or take depends on how aggressive the cam is and tuning etc...id say most stock bottom end heads cam ls1s with fbo and tune prob make 425-450 whp or so on average yes some cars do more it depends on the setup they dont all have 500 wheel as a rule or something its all in the combo
@@losttiming5873 My dad had an LT1Z 355, heads, cam, all supporting mods and a few things here and there made about 450
@@R3AL-AIM this is why people need to stop hating on the LT1 they are just a tad bit worse than the LS1
Love the WS6 Trans-Am The hood bulge is an icon. Especially with the CETA rear blacked out bumper on a light color car looks sick.
That year Trans Am with SLP or WS6 package did 13.6 bone stock. So full bolt ons should do mid to high 12’s! And I would take the Trans Am over the camaro any day
I've always loved the looks of these!
Finally got an LS1 Z28 at 29 years old. I've had it less than a week and love it! F-bodies are amazing. And the that trans am is one of the best looking cars ever...
I don't think anyone would prefer the catfish Camaro over a nice WS6
I definitely would. Like he said, I'm not a huge fan of the wavyness of the body and the huge snout.