I'm starting research on getting a Trans Am WS6. Is there anything specific I should know before buying one? I have wanted one for years and am finally going to be able to get one so I'm pretty happy. I want to make sure I get a good one as I'm sure you can understand. What should I look for when inspecting the car? What mods are a no no? What parts go bad on these cars? How many miles are just too many? What is an acceptable price range? Sorry for all the questions right off the bat. I'm sure I'll think up more but I'll save them for later. Thanks for your help!

 

make sure its a real ws6 first. others will help there.


as always make sure its drivetrain is sound. body isnt dented up. paint is ok. really just try to get one thats clean that doesnt need any major repairs unless you must have that paticuliar vehicle.

youll find what you want just be patient.

 

What do you mean a real WS6? Like someone put the hood and badging on it and called it a WS6?

 

Pretty much - WS6 Clone's are easy to create and people will then try to sell them for WS6 prices.

As far as what parts go bad - you have the standard ones like water pump, alternator, etc.

Common issues with Trans Am's are Dash Pad cracking, Door Panel's cracking about 2-3 inches from the back of the door, leather seats tearing on the side bolster. Finding a car that doesn't have any of those 3 is usually a good sign the car was well maintained.

You can buy one with low miles (30-40k) for around $15,000 or you can buy a regular Trans Am with same miles for $10,000 and then pay $600-1000 for an OEM WS6 hood. As far as how many miles is too many, that's purely up to you and your willingness to put money into upkeep, but even one with 30k miles will have some; just less than one with 130k miles.

 

Mine will be for sale shortly. PM if you are in Florida.

 

Check the rpo code inside the drivers side door. If it is a REAL WS6, it will have WS6 in the rpo code. We buy and sale Trans Ams and American Muscle Cars. We only have a 99 Corvette, 6spd and a 99 Trans Am, auto, in our LS1 inventory right now but we will have others soon. This is a link to one we sold recently:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/vehicle-c...ics-video.html

 

Thanks for the tips and the good info! What are some of the mods that usually go into these things? I'm sure intake, exhaust, and tune are pretty much standard but I'm looking to pull around 400-450 RWHP out of it. How easy is it to achieve those numbers?

 

Very attainable power goals. You can do achieve that number with a basic set of LT header/ORY or catted Y-pipe and catback, intake, cam, heads and tune.

 

if it has 241 heads and a ls6 intake you need a EPS cam(222/226)or a TSP torquer v2 cam pkg.you will need a good tune with full mods.

 

IMO Something you should know before buying one is that ws6's are overpriced compared to a regular TA or Formula. You can get a ram air hood for far less than the price difference between a base V8 firebird and a WS6...

WS6 package consists of:
17" rims
Ram air hood
Power steering cooler
WS6 Badge
A very slightly larger front sway bar (32mm instead of standard 30mm)

You get the same motor, same transmission, rear end, suspension, interior, brakes, ect as any other V8 firebird (formula or trans am)

Not worth a couple to several thousands of dollars price difference IMO

 

I just bought a 2002 WS6. I love it! When I started looking I had resale value in mind...I dont intend to sell it but things happen. Pontiac is dead...so the 02 is the last year and that will add to the desirability. I wanted a low mileage car. Had to be a WS6.... I know some have said its easy to just add the WS6 stuff to a regular TA..and I agree. But the RPO sticker tells ( as mentioned above) if its a real WS6 car or not. So if the WS6 car is higher in value now...it will be higher in value and more desirable later as well. Having said this.....its all relative to your plans with the car in the end. Just my .02 Happy hunting!!

 

^^ If I recall some got better Shocks as well.

Expect to pay MORE then a similar year/optioned Camaro SS, just as a FYI.

 

If it's a real WS6, it will have the pu$$y magnet under the rear bumper. Be sure to check for that.

 

I think your right..... Shocks and sway bars.

 

LOL... Does mine have this?

 

Like all the guys above stated make sure its a true WS6 because there are so many people that turn TA's or formulas into ws6 cars. Also a lot of people abuse these cars with nitrous and other mods. Just make sure that you find a nice clean car with low miles. Do as much research as you can and you should have no problems finding a nice car.

 

This explains why I only get chicks in my WS6 and not my truck! I never knew about this so called pu$$y magnet that is under the bumper.

 

It is getting harder to find clean cars so start expecting to pay more for a cleaner one vs one that has higher milage, mods, or needs fixing.

One may consider just getting a regular T/A and adding a hood. I did it, and looks killer.

 

Thanks again for all the good info. I understand about the price difference and ability to put on a hood but to me it has to be a true WS6. Just personal preference. I appreciate all the input guys!

 

Just the front sway bar. 32mm instead of a 30mm. The rears are the same as a standard TA.

Late ws6's had the same exact shocks as any other V8 Firebird.