Twin Turbo Pontiac Trans Am is a Low-mileage Beauty

Pontiac Trans Am WS6 looks great, but it may need some mechanical help.

One of the aspects of the fourth generation Pontiac Firebird and Chevrolet Camaro that makes them so popular almost two decades after they went out of production is the willingness to make big power. The LS1 engine has proven itself as one of the greatest engines to build of all time and those who build just about any LS-based engine know that these power plants love boost.

Adding forced induction is the easiest way to send the output of your LS1 car through the roof, but not everyone has the knowledge to build something like a twin turbo Pontiac Trans Am. Fortunately, “Sexy_WS6” posted a 2000 Firebird in the LS1Tech Marketplace that is incredible physical shape and it has been fitted with a custom twin turbo setup, but it sounds like a good once-over from an experienced builder might do it some good.

Low Mileage 2000 Pontiac Trans Am

When the OP posted his 2000 Pontiac Trans Am WS6 for sale on the forum, he provided the following information.

Well, Its unfortunate but I really need to sell my car…

I’m the second owner of this car. I bought it 7 years ago bone stock from an elderly couple with only 4,300 miles on it. Its been a garage queen its entire life and hasn’t seen any of the elements except for rain a couple times. As it sits, the car has 10,500 miles and the turbo set-up has about 1,500 so its not even broken in. It runs and drives but is smoking a bit from the tail pipe. Car is also only running at about 8lbs of boost. Starts right up and runs well and is a definite head turner.

I’ll do my best to list the mods but I know I’m going to forget something…please message me with any questions. I also have lots of pictures/videos through the entire build process and I can sent them over per request.

Mods:
Low compression Diamond Pistons
Eagle Rods
Comp TU1 Cam
BBK intake
Centerforce Dual Friction Clutch
160 thermo
Griffin Radiator
Twin intake fuel pump
Fuel Rails
Ebay 50mm Turbos
Customer headers/ turbo piping
BMR springs
C6 Z wheels
Before axel dumps with bullet mufflers
Hurst short throw/ Stick
AEM Wideband

TITLE IN HAND!

The seller also included a handful of pictures, most of which show detail of the turbo setup with the front fascia removed. Click here to check out the ad listing and to get a better look at the work.

An Interesting Machine

If you have been looking for a low mileage LS1 Firebird with a reasonably elaborate build, this 2000 Trans Am might be your dream car. However, anyone buying this Pontiac muscle car should plan to either inspect the engine work themselves, or to have a reputable shop check it out, as there are a few odd points to the listing.

First and foremost, there is no mention of post-build power numbers or track times and the fact that the OP points out that it “runs and drives” isn’t exactly a rousing endorsement. Of course, there is also the concern that a newly-built engine is already smoking a bit from the exhaust on low boost, so if we were buying this car, we would do a compression test, make sure that the eBay turbos are tight and generally go over the key points of the engine prior to pushing it too hard.

However, for someone who wants to tear into a project this winter, this 2000 Pontiac Trans Am could make for a great street and strip car next spring.

This Firebird is currently listed for $23,000, which is considerably higher than book value for a 2000 Trans Am, but when you consider the low mileage and the list of aftermarket parts, it is not an unreasonable price for a built LS1 car.

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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