Super-clean Pontiac Trans Am WS6 Makes for a Satisfying Build
Already modified and in great shape, this modern classic Trans Am WS6 has come a long way in a short time.
It takes a lot for us to declare any car a modern classic. But without a shadow of a doubt, the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am WS6 is a member of that exclusive club. It’s also one of the most beloved models here in the LS1 Tech forums for many obvious reasons. With nearly unlimited power potential and timeless, killer looks, these cars are truly special. So we were obviously interested to follow along as forum member bjohn chronicled his adventures after picking up a super clean 2000 WS6 last summer.
“Long time F-Body owner here, first time WS6 owner. Couldn’t be happier with the car. It’s a 2000 Pontiac Trans Am WS6 (obviously). M6/10-bolt car. When I bought the car, the previous owner had deleted the rear seats. Luckily, all of the hardware was present and I reinstalled it ASAP. Too boy-racerish for me. Changed the differential fluid and oil/filter. I found out it does need a water pump. What are the odds of it going bad five days after buying it and NOT beating on the thing?”
The car already came with a series of nice mods, including a lumpy cam. So the first order of business was pretty easy. The OP wasted no time not only performing basic maintenance on his Trans Am, but also fixing everything that needed to be fixed. That included something we personally enjoy having – air conditioning.
“The previous owner told me that the A/C had been drained and never refilled after the cam installation which was partially true. I found there to be no belt, and that there was minimal R134 in the A/C system upon further inspection.”
The next steps involved replacing the rear backup lights with new LEDs and installing the new water pump. With everything functioning properly, it was finally time to begin adding more mods. First up, subframe connectors, lower control arm relocation brackets, and a strut tower brace from UMI. All of which helped to improve the way this Trans Am felt.
“After driving the car, these parts have really transformed the way the car feels on the road. It went from being slushy and indirect with a lack of road feel to riding and steering more like my C6 than I thought it would ever be able to. All of the parts play a part in that, to one degree or another. If you want to transform your F-Body, look into stuff like this. I couldn’t be happier.”
Next, the OP replaced his factory crash bars with lighter, aftermarket bumper supports. Then a brake overhaul with StopTech slotted rotors and Hawks HPS pads. The mods and repairs on this classic Trans Am just keep rolling, and the OP has documented every one of them in this thread. So if you love WS6s as much as we do, be sure and head over here to follow along with this very cool project!
Photos: LS1 Tech Forums
