Pontiac Trans Am Collector’s Edition is a High Performance Work-in-Progress

Special edition Pontiac has a built LS7 with nitrous, but it needs some wiring and plumbing to get running.

In 2002, Pontiac rolled out the Collector’s Edition of the Firebird Trans Am WS6, sporting an unmistakable yellow paint scheme with black decals, wheels, trim and interior. Designed to celebrate the 35^th anniversary of the Firebird, this package was available in both T-top and convertible form with a long list of standard features, but the most important component was the LS1 engine under the RamAir hood, offering 325 horsepower at 350 lb-ft of torque.

The LS1 engine made the fourth generation Firebird a blast to drive in stock form, but as we all know, these engines could easily be upgraded to make far greater power. However, the best way to get big power is to swap to one of the larger GM V8s, like the 7.0-liter LS7.

As it just-so-happens, while flipping through the LS1Tech Marketplace, we came across one of these special edition Firebirds that has been upfitted with an LS7, posted for sale by “bottledgto”. The project is not done, but it is close and with a price of $16,000, someone who wants to finish the project can score a smokin’ deal.

The Introduction

When the OP listing his 2002 Pontiac Trans Am WS6 Collector’s Edition to the marketplace, he included a few pictures of the car in various states of incompletion along with a detailed mod list.

“Project car is over 80% done: Has
-New Full Midwest Chassis front suspension with coil overs.
-ABS delete
-New MWC torque arm
-New MMR tear drag away bar
-New UMI lower control arms
-battery relocation
-New light race carpet, AC and Heater removed
-Factory interior
-New MWC 8.5 cage
-Custom paint matched engine bay
–Welds RTS 17×4.5″, 15×10″

Motor: New Bottom end never fired
Built LS7
-New accessory drive and pumps
-oil cooler
–Katech tensioner
-WCCH stage 2 heads mill .30 with trunion upgrade, 3/8 .120 wall pushrod
– CPR alpha spec cam
-LS7 dry sump oil system
-MSD LS7 intake ported shaved and painted along with coils
-New NW 102mm Cable TB
-N/N coil relocation kit
-N/N billet valve covers
-LS7 block and rods
– New forged wisco piston with ring set
-All New arp main/head studs with arp rod bolts
-ATI balancer

Trans/Rearend:
-Built TH400 manual body
-New Trans cooler
-Circle D 3c 3800 stall nitrous converter
-New Precision performance products 3spd RMVB kwik shift 2
-9″, spool with 35 spline axles and 3:55 gears

Headers/Exhaust: All New
-TSP 2″ Long Tube with 3″ collectors- 304 stainless steel
-TSP Rumble bullet True Dual
Stainless steel

Fuel system: All New
-Single Walbro 450 with magnafuel regulator and filter
-ID 60lbs injectors

Nitrous system:
-Nitrous Outlet 102mm plate system with purge
-New Dedicated stand alone fuel system

Since the seller didn’t include any complete pictures of the car, we found two stock photos of the package, for those who need a look at the whole lot in its stock form.

What’s the Catch?

So, this relatively rare Pontiac Firebird with a built engine, transmission and suspension system is listed on the forum for just $16,000, likely making you wonder why it is so cheap. That is because is it not finished yet, requiring a bit of work to get it running.

Car needs complete ECU and engine wiring, oil lines for dry sump, cai and some odd fittings and hoses and the interior reinstalled, removed for wiring. All the big expensive components are done not to much left to complete the project.

If you have been dreaming of building an LS7-powered fourth generation Firebird and you have the capacity to finish this job or you know of a good shop, this listing is a great deal on a work-in-progress

Join the LS1tech forums now!

Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com