Trans Am Drift Car Still Clean as a Whistle Despite Abuse
Firebird Trans Am with 500 horsepower and savagely wide wheels has us wondering if there’s anything a fourth-gen can’t do.
We all know that, when prepared properly, a fourth-gen F-body can really get the job done on a drag strip or a road course. There’s one form of motorsport that we didn’t expect them to excel in, and that’s drifting.
It’s clear from the first few seconds of this YouTube video that we were wrong to sleep on the fourth gen’s drifting ability. The channel, appropriately titled KennySlides, is full of videos of this gorgeous Trans Am getting sideways and putting on a smoke show.
The car is a 2000 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am in Maple Red Metallic. Unlike most drift cars we see, this one is in impeccable car-show condition despite the regular abuse it’s subjected to. KennySlides says, “Honestly, guys…this car is pretty dang clean, especially considering the things I put it though.”
Besides the aftermarket WS6-style, the most noticeable thing about this Trans Am is its wheels and its overall stance. The wheels are gunmetal 19×8.5-inch ESR S01s up front, and an inch wider out back. Those wheels do a great job of showing off the C5 Corvette brakes and slotted rotors. Wheel spacers and ARP extended studs get the fitment just right.
Heart of the Beast
Under the hood, you’ll find a bored and stroked 416 cubic inch LS3 built by Vengeance Racing. Heads are 215cc units from Trick Flow, while the cam comes from Vengeance. KennySlides states that the car made 504 horsepower to the rear wheels — very respectable indeed.
Inside, you’ll find a Momo steering wheel on a quick release hub, as well as a Sparco racing seat on the driver’s side only. The rest of the interior is stock, although KennySlides removed the passenger rear seat bottom to mount the fire extinguisher. He explains, “I didn’t want to drill any holes or anything.” It’s clear that, despite the abuse he subjects this car to, he tries hard to keep it nice.
Underneath is where things get really interesting. As you might expect for a drift car, the suspension received a lot of attention. This Trans Am has a UMI performance road race K member, adjustable upper control arms, and sway bars. Bilstein shocks and struts can be found at all four corners, and the car is fitted with Eibach lowering springs.
Additional steering angle is important for drift cars. To accomplish this, KennySlides had the factory knuckles modified. “I had my Jamie at UPFAB cut and shorten the outer tie rod mounts.” He says they’ve held up for about four years now.
As you can see, there’s no wild transformation here. What did we learn today? Apparently, it doesn’t take much to turn a fourth-gen Trans Am into a truly wicked drift machine.
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