picking between 2
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Teching In
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picking between 2 I need help picking the better of the two. Ive found two trans ams that I like and need help picking the right one. Heres what I know.
Car A= 1998 red trans am, (NOT ram air), t-tops, auto, LS1, everything is stock, newer Tires, very well cared for, 2 owner, Carfax clean, 43,000 miles $8,000.00
Car B= 2002 black trans am ws6, t-tops, m6 trans, ls1, mild cam, long tube headers, bola exhaust, everything else is stock, 78,000 miles $11,000.00
I like the red over black, but i like the ram air hood. Is the ls6 manifold the only differents between 1998 and 2002? If I bought the red one Id have to get a ram air hood for it.
Car A
Car B
Car A= 1998 red trans am, (NOT ram air), t-tops, auto, LS1, everything is stock, newer Tires, very well cared for, 2 owner, Carfax clean, 43,000 miles $8,000.00
Car B= 2002 black trans am ws6, t-tops, m6 trans, ls1, mild cam, long tube headers, bola exhaust, everything else is stock, 78,000 miles $11,000.00
I like the red over black, but i like the ram air hood. Is the ls6 manifold the only differents between 1998 and 2002? If I bought the red one Id have to get a ram air hood for it.
Car A
Car B
Last edited by rich1833; Jan 3, 2013 at 11:08 AM.
Need more info. What about miles on both, exact cam & supporting mods, how much power did it make?
Ws6 will have ls6 manifold, power steering cooler, larger sway bars, and I believe a couple other random things besides nicer rims and hood. I know there was a suspension difference between my z28 and my father's ws6.
I would go with the black one because it is a manual alone. The long tubes and cam should actually detract from the selling price. Modded cars Unfortunatly are worth less to average car buyers
Ws6 will have ls6 manifold, power steering cooler, larger sway bars, and I believe a couple other random things besides nicer rims and hood. I know there was a suspension difference between my z28 and my father's ws6.
I would go with the black one because it is a manual alone. The long tubes and cam should actually detract from the selling price. Modded cars Unfortunatly are worth less to average car buyers
Last edited by smg267; Jan 3, 2013 at 08:28 AM.
I believe the 98s had weaker rod bolts but black is a pain to keep clean. We need more info (mileage, etc.) And what do you plan to do with the car you get? Drag race? DD? Auto x? Weekend warrior?
Id pick the black car over the red for the 6 speed and looks. Plus I like the extra power it has from the mods but thats a doubled edged sword.
Id pick the black car over the red for the 6 speed and looks. Plus I like the extra power it has from the mods but thats a doubled edged sword.
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
I would pick the red one, because it's an auto, and I like the color better, and if it was built before 05/98 then it won't need a roof replacement to get rid of the bubbles.
WS6 will only have a larger FRONT sway bar (32mm from the 1LE vs 30mm), the rear bar is the same 19mm as a Z28. In the early years, you could order a WS6 with the complete 1LE upgrade, which would then get you a 21mm rear bar as well.
This front bar is a marginal improvement. What really makes the WS6 feel better than a stock Z28 is the 17x9 wheels with 275/40 tires.
No, not for a decent tuner with an average H/C setup. The PCM limitations only become a real concern in extreme cases.
Here are some year specific facts from another thread I posted them in, for those that are not informed or incorrectly informed:
Originally Posted by smg267
Ws6 will have ls6 manifold, power steering cooler, larger sway bars, and I believe a couple other random things besides nicer rims and hood. I know there was a suspension difference between my z28 and my father's ws6
This front bar is a marginal improvement. What really makes the WS6 feel better than a stock Z28 is the 17x9 wheels with 275/40 tires.
No, not for a decent tuner with an average H/C setup. The PCM limitations only become a real concern in extreme cases.
Here are some year specific facts from another thread I posted them in, for those that are not informed or incorrectly informed:
There were no major improvements in the heads for '99-'00 at all. The only difference between the 806 heads for '98 and the 853 heads for '99-'00 were the valve covers with center bolts and provisions for coil rails. Internally, the heads are the same. The only improvements came with the casting process used on the 241 heads from very late '00 through '02, and the power "advantage" of the 241s is marginal. Either way, all the heads have equal potential once ported, and they are all interchangeable with any other model year so long as you have the correct valve covers and coil rails to add to a '98.
'00+ received better flowing exhaust manifolds than the '98-'99 cars, but this doesn't matter if you plan on headers anyway.
'01+ received the LS6 intake, but this is a common and easy enough bolt-on for the earlier LS1s so it's not really a reason to buy/not buy any model year IMO.
'98 rod bolts are a bit weaker, but that's only a concern once you start to rev the engine above the factory limiter, which is not necessary until you do a cam or heads/cam.
Some people see the '98 PCM as a problem, because it's not quite as advanced as the newer PCMs, but this doesn't become a concern unless you are planning a major build or serious forced induction that requires some extreme tuning. For a common street build, any good tuner can do just fine with the '98 PCM. A lot of people are convinced that they *must* swap to a newer year PCM, but there are plenty of '98s with strong builds and factory original PCMs doing just fine.
There are actually some disadvantages to the newer model years as well, the biggest one being the bubbling roof issue. This problem affects all '99+ cars, and even some of the '98s built in 05/98 or later. But the vast majority of '98s are not subject to this issue. Here is a link to learn more about this issue:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/16606709-post1789.html
'98s also come stock with an Auburn posi, rather than the Torsen of the '99+ cars. Personally I prefer the Auburn, as it's quieter and more predictable.
'98s have a more accurate temp gauge.
'98s and '01/'02 come with larger stock fuel injectors than '99/'00.
'98-'00 have stronger stock flexplates than '01+.
'98s have a steel gas tank vs. plastic on '99+.
'98-'00 stock cam has a slightly more aggressive profile than the truck cam used on the '01+ models. Not anything to be concerned about if you plan a cam swap anyway.
'98-'00 throttle body has a smaller cam and thus provides a slightly more responsive throttle feel.
There are some other cosmetic differences between the years in terms of interior and exterior colors, and quality/style of certain trim pieces (window trim on the '01+ cars is lesser quality, '01+ cars receive a different rear view mirror, and some other minor changes)
'00+ received better flowing exhaust manifolds than the '98-'99 cars, but this doesn't matter if you plan on headers anyway.
'01+ received the LS6 intake, but this is a common and easy enough bolt-on for the earlier LS1s so it's not really a reason to buy/not buy any model year IMO.
'98 rod bolts are a bit weaker, but that's only a concern once you start to rev the engine above the factory limiter, which is not necessary until you do a cam or heads/cam.
Some people see the '98 PCM as a problem, because it's not quite as advanced as the newer PCMs, but this doesn't become a concern unless you are planning a major build or serious forced induction that requires some extreme tuning. For a common street build, any good tuner can do just fine with the '98 PCM. A lot of people are convinced that they *must* swap to a newer year PCM, but there are plenty of '98s with strong builds and factory original PCMs doing just fine.
There are actually some disadvantages to the newer model years as well, the biggest one being the bubbling roof issue. This problem affects all '99+ cars, and even some of the '98s built in 05/98 or later. But the vast majority of '98s are not subject to this issue. Here is a link to learn more about this issue:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/16606709-post1789.html
'98s also come stock with an Auburn posi, rather than the Torsen of the '99+ cars. Personally I prefer the Auburn, as it's quieter and more predictable.
'98s have a more accurate temp gauge.
'98s and '01/'02 come with larger stock fuel injectors than '99/'00.
'98-'00 have stronger stock flexplates than '01+.
'98s have a steel gas tank vs. plastic on '99+.
'98-'00 stock cam has a slightly more aggressive profile than the truck cam used on the '01+ models. Not anything to be concerned about if you plan a cam swap anyway.
'98-'00 throttle body has a smaller cam and thus provides a slightly more responsive throttle feel.
There are some other cosmetic differences between the years in terms of interior and exterior colors, and quality/style of certain trim pieces (window trim on the '01+ cars is lesser quality, '01+ cars receive a different rear view mirror, and some other minor changes)
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Teching In
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Both cars have there ups and downs. None of which can't be easily over come. I would look at which transmission you want first. That is the hardest to change over. Six speeds are fun but so is a well built auto with a stall. That's why I bought 2 Camaros for less than these cars cost each. So I could have one of each trans. These prices can be beat if you are patient. My buddy just bought a super nice 2000 TA, non ram air w/156k for $5k. Then bought a same color hood for $800. I don't know where you are, but this was in Houston.
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Teching In
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I put the miles in and this is all i know about both cars. The red one is owned by a 45ish year old lady that thought she wanted a sports car but didnt. The black one is owned by the detail guy of the local bmw dealer. He mid to high 20's.
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
Based on the new information, I now prefer the red one even more.
The only warning I have for the Black one is you know it was someone who wanted performance and may have been rough on it. Unless he has all the documentation for the parts/install.
The Red one being completely stock has its advantages where you can start with basic mods and completely learn about the car yourself.
The Red one being completely stock has its advantages where you can start with basic mods and completely learn about the car yourself.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Westminster, MD
Honestly I like the red TA. I was in the same boat when I got my Formula, I wanted the ram air ws6 hood eventually the flat hood started to grow on me. Plus a VFN WS6 is like $650 + paint so that isn't terrible if you're saving a couple thousand by getting the red one. I think the red one is priced better for sure. I think the guy selling the black one is trying to recoup the money he spent modding it which is fine, I would do the same thing, but when you mod a car you risk turning buyers off because they want to do things themselves, they don't like the mods/parts, possible abuse which comes with modding, etc. If you can talk down the black one a good amount get it, but if it were me the red one is a much better deal.
TECH Fanatic
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From: Michigan
The Red one....You'll have the joy of modding a completely stock car into whatever you want it to be. The black one was someone elses customized choice. Plus more miles and it's more expensive. Add a vfn hood and you have (the look) of a ws6. Than start to add the mods. I bought mine (black) stock 4 years ago with 40,000miles. Every year it's a different/better/faster/more enjoyable car because of the customizing
TECH Fanatic
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From: dayton, ohio
I would pick the red 1998 TA. It has lower miles, you have a clean car to mod and females generally don't beat on cars. I have a black car and it never seems to stay clean. Red won't be as hard to keep looking nice. Get a ram air hood and it will look great.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Maryland
Red T/A hands down, thing that wins me over with that car is the fact that it has low miles, it's stock, very clean, and it's also priced good. I would take that extra $3k you would spend on the WS6 and use it for mod money.
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From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
If you like the red one better get it, it has a lost less mileage. cost less, and it sounds like it has unmolested engine so you'll have a clean slate to start any modifications you'd like to do.
Depends if you want auto or manual.
If you want faster car the 2002 Ws6 6 speed is faster.
Personally i would go for 6 speed because i like manual and its newer and has some mods already it is Ws6 and its 2002 vs the 1998 model that is automatic and none WS6.
Did the Black Ws6 get dyno tuned after the cam?
WS6 Hood and Rims alone will cost you at least $1600 if you plan to buy them later down the road. Full Exhaust will be like $800-1000 with you installing it.
If that black Ws6 is owned by the Detail guy that you said paint is going to be well cared for.
If you want faster car the 2002 Ws6 6 speed is faster.
Personally i would go for 6 speed because i like manual and its newer and has some mods already it is Ws6 and its 2002 vs the 1998 model that is automatic and none WS6.
Did the Black Ws6 get dyno tuned after the cam?
WS6 Hood and Rims alone will cost you at least $1600 if you plan to buy them later down the road. Full Exhaust will be like $800-1000 with you installing it.
If that black Ws6 is owned by the Detail guy that you said paint is going to be well cared for.