Ls1 hardtop ws6
05-17-2014, 10:03 PM
#22
Launching!
Here's some info below, you might also find more detail production info here: http://transamworld.com/break-down.htm
Comparison Test: The 13 Quickest Cars You Can Buy
What's the absolute quickest car you can buy? Let's go find out.
BY SCOTT OLDHAM
Photos by Les Bidrawn
Published in the July 1999 issue.
http://tinyurl.com/ajrzqzd
1LE WS6 Formula
#5 FIREBIRD FORMULA
This was the shocker of the day. This car just may be the quickest stock Firebird of all time. And when you consider its $26,000 price tag, the cheapest of all 13 cars, the Firebird easily wins "bang for the buck" title.
How do we explain this Formula's awesome performance? How can we explain its 13.15-second ET and 108.27 mph trap speed, which is more than two-tenths of a second and 2 mph better than the Camaro? Like we said before, we can't. However, we can guess. First: weight. This Firebird is a stripper, without heavy options like power windows, power seat, etc. Second: tolerances. Sometimes they stack up and you get a faster car. Sometimes they don't.
Whatever it was, this Ram Air Pontiac ran down the track like it was born to, spitting out the most wonderful V8 baritone tune from the tree to the traps. The LS1 engine has a wonderfully flat torque curve, but it lays down at 5500 rpm, 500 revs shy of its redline. Shifting there netted us our best time.
And what sweet shifts they are.
Flatfoot shift Second and this Formula has enough grunt to lay down two 10-ft. stripes on the asphalt. You can bark the dogs in Third as well. We did miss one shift, however, when our sweaty palm slipped off the Firebird's plastic baby-butt-smooth shift ****.
Test Summary:
Firebird Formula
Base price: $23,065, Price as tested: $26,800
Engine: 5.7-liter/346.0 cu.-in. OHV 16v V8
HP: 320 @ 5200 rpm, Torque: 345 ft.-lb. @ 4400 rpm
Trans: 6M, Drivetrain: front engine/rear drive
Rear axle: 3.42:1 limited-slip
Curb weight: 3341 lb, Weight/HP ratio: 10.4
Horsepower per liter: 56.1, Tires: 275/40ZR17
Acceleration: 0-30 mph: 2.08 sec. 0-60 mph: 4.94 sec.
1/4 mile: 13.15 sec. @ 108.27 mph
What's the absolute quickest car you can buy? Let's go find out.
BY SCOTT OLDHAM
Photos by Les Bidrawn
Published in the July 1999 issue.
http://tinyurl.com/ajrzqzd
1LE WS6 Formula
#5 FIREBIRD FORMULA
This was the shocker of the day. This car just may be the quickest stock Firebird of all time. And when you consider its $26,000 price tag, the cheapest of all 13 cars, the Firebird easily wins "bang for the buck" title.
How do we explain this Formula's awesome performance? How can we explain its 13.15-second ET and 108.27 mph trap speed, which is more than two-tenths of a second and 2 mph better than the Camaro? Like we said before, we can't. However, we can guess. First: weight. This Firebird is a stripper, without heavy options like power windows, power seat, etc. Second: tolerances. Sometimes they stack up and you get a faster car. Sometimes they don't.
Whatever it was, this Ram Air Pontiac ran down the track like it was born to, spitting out the most wonderful V8 baritone tune from the tree to the traps. The LS1 engine has a wonderfully flat torque curve, but it lays down at 5500 rpm, 500 revs shy of its redline. Shifting there netted us our best time.
And what sweet shifts they are.
Flatfoot shift Second and this Formula has enough grunt to lay down two 10-ft. stripes on the asphalt. You can bark the dogs in Third as well. We did miss one shift, however, when our sweaty palm slipped off the Firebird's plastic baby-butt-smooth shift ****.
Test Summary:
Firebird Formula
Base price: $23,065, Price as tested: $26,800
Engine: 5.7-liter/346.0 cu.-in. OHV 16v V8
HP: 320 @ 5200 rpm, Torque: 345 ft.-lb. @ 4400 rpm
Trans: 6M, Drivetrain: front engine/rear drive
Rear axle: 3.42:1 limited-slip
Curb weight: 3341 lb, Weight/HP ratio: 10.4
Horsepower per liter: 56.1, Tires: 275/40ZR17
Acceleration: 0-30 mph: 2.08 sec. 0-60 mph: 4.94 sec.
1/4 mile: 13.15 sec. @ 108.27 mph
