Stroked LS2 Delivers Over 600 HP in this Naturally-Aspirated Firebird

Big-cube LS2 packs big power, but this Pontiac Firebird has the supporting upgrades to use all of that power.

While flipping through the LS1Tech Marketplace, looking at cars that we really don’t need, we came across this gorgeous 2002 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am WS6. It is in remarkable condition, with Electron Blue exterior paint, silver stripes and silver badges, but the appearance it only the tip of the iceberg here.

What really makes the Firebird posted for sale by “topgun1851” is the 440-cubic inch, LS2-based stroker motor under the Ram Air hood, sending more than 600 horsepower to the rear wheels. Mind you, that is without the aid of nitrous oxide or forced induction, so this monster Pontiac makes all of that power with natural aspiration.

The Introduction

When the OP posted his 2002 Firebird for sale, he didn’t say much, but he included the two pictures shown here, the video linked below and a Word document that details everything that has been done to the car.

See video and attached parts list.

Just 3,000 miles on current engine/setup

Color is electron blue (’02 vet color)

Car now has Fikse FM5s as shown in 2nd pic.

By the way, when we say that he listed everything everything, we mean everything, as this list covers four pages and includes every nut and bolt that went into the build. You can download and read through the extensive list in the original thread, but we have included the basics below.

The Build

This 2002 Firebird is powered by a 440-cubic inch mill that was built on an LS2 block. The engine volume was increased for 6.0 liters to 7.2 liters with Manley Performance bottom end bits, topped with a set of Brodix LS7 heads that have been worked by West Coast Cylinder Heads and a FAST intake manifold. The exhaust duties are handled by a set of Kooks headers and all of the supporting internal parts are from premium brands.

The power from this naturally aspirated, 440-cubic inch LS2 is sent to the rear wheels by means of an RPM Transmissions Level 5 T-56 build, a Strange differential with Detroit Locker internals and 3.73 Richmond gears.

Finally, this Pontiac features an array of BMR Fabrication chassis components and suspension parts from QA1, allowing this 4^th gen Firebird to make the most of all 600 rear wheel horsepower.

With a price tag of $16,000, this 2002 Firebird Trans Am WS6 isn’t cheap, but for someone who wants a heavily built 4^th gen car that makes monster, naturally aspirated power, this build is hard to beat. More importantly, you would be hard-pressed to build this car for $16,000, so while it might be pricy as LS1 cars go, it is reasonably priced for a build of this level.

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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