Pontiac Firebird 1967-2002 Birds of a feather flock together

Landed my first TA.. 2002 Collectors Ed. WS6

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-08-2019 | 09:42 PM
  #1  
SteadyJoe's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Appling GA
Default Landed my first TA.. 2002 Collectors Ed. WS6

Been saving and hunting.. Found her in Texas and had her shipped to be in Augusta GA. I've wanted this car since it was new. Only has 25K miles and is mint... even in the interior is mint. So, I really want to keep her forever and don't mind spending some money. It will be in the garage except for sunny weekends.

Here is what has been done so far... (I have all the original parts)

LS6 Cam with dual valve springs
K1 Rods
Weisco Pistons
Racetronix Upgraded Fuel pump with hotwire Kit
Kooks 1 7/8 Longtubes with no cats to SLP Dual Dual Catback
Stage 2 Monster Clutch with lightweight flywheel
BMR Front and Rear Sway Bars
BMR Subframe Connectors
BMR Lowering Springs
UMI Panhard Bar
Bilstein Shocks I want to know what to do next…. Super Charger? Teach me fellas… Also, I have a buddy with a junk 2002 SS but it has a Strange S60 rear-end. Should I offer to buy it, what do you think it is worth?


Old 02-10-2019 | 08:44 AM
  #2  
Nathan C's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,652
Likes: 175
From: dayton, ohio
Default

I saw that car on ebay. Congrats !
Old 02-10-2019 | 11:12 AM
  #3  
2ToeRacing's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 584
Likes: 17
From: Atlanta Ga,
Default

Yes I would go ahead and get the S60 for when you want to add or your blows up. That's a really nice car. Have you dyno-ed it yet?
Old 02-11-2019 | 01:01 PM
  #4  
AnotherWs6's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,670
Likes: 36
From: Westchester, NY
Default

Find out more about the rear, specifically what the carrier is - limited slip type or spool. I wouldn't run a spool on a car made to handle but others will disagree. Many guys go with a spool because it's cheap and strong.

Why did you go with an LS6 cam? Plenty out there that would make a lot more power.

Super charger for these is limited pretty much to a procharger. Big bucks. Get in touch with Brutespeed - a sponsor here - for info, Bob will help you out.

A set of heads will make significantly more power. You could even sell the cam you have while you're in there, people like it for turbo setups. I put that cam in a rebuilt motor but only because it was free.

Have you changed your lower control arms and mounts out back?
Old 02-11-2019 | 08:47 PM
  #5  
SteadyJoe's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Appling GA
Default

Originally Posted by 2ToeRacing
Yes I would go ahead and get the S60 for when you want to add or your blows up. That's a really nice car. Have you dyno-ed it yet?
Just got it... no Dyno yet.
Old 02-11-2019 | 08:49 PM
  #6  
SteadyJoe's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Appling GA
Default

Originally Posted by AnotherWs6
Find out more about the rear, specifically what the carrier is - limited slip type or spool. I wouldn't run a spool on a car made to handle but others will disagree. Many guys go with a spool because it's cheap and strong.

Why did you go with an LS6 cam? Plenty out there that would make a lot more power.
It was in it when I got it... what would you suggest?

Originally Posted by AnotherWs6

Have you changed your lower control arms and mounts out back?
No idea...
Old 02-11-2019 | 09:38 PM
  #7  
CoreyD's Avatar
TECH Resident
10 Year Member
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 883
Likes: 325
From: NOLA / Lafayette
Default

Congrats! Looks great
Old 02-11-2019 | 11:35 PM
  #8  
Omega Doom's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 18
From: DFW,TX
Default

hey I was told by a friend that has 3 of the yellow CETAs that if you have Facebook join the collector edition Trans Am page
Old 02-12-2019 | 08:51 AM
  #9  
AnotherWs6's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,670
Likes: 36
From: Westchester, NY
Default

I'm not the guy to talk to about cams, and there are a million variables. Are you sure it has an LS6 cam? Did the previous owner give you any documentation?

You've got a lot of learning to do, but you're in the right place. I personally like these.....

https://www.foundersperformance.com/...v=7516fd43adaa
Rear lower control arms are what locate the rear end and make it not be able to move forward or backwards. The factory ones are stamped steel with rubber bushings and long story short, can give you some nasty wheel hop. Also, when you lower your car you change the geometry of the LCA's, and relocation brackets are recommended. Like these.....

https://www.foundersperformance.com/...v=7516fd43adaa

But if you're gonna run an s60 your axle tubes will be thicker and I dont think most will work. But there is a good chance the new rear already has them.
Old 02-12-2019 | 09:05 AM
  #10  
SteadyJoe's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Appling GA
Default

Originally Posted by AnotherWs6
I'm not the guy to talk to about cams, and there are a million variables. Are you sure it has an LS6 cam? Did the previous owner give you any documentation?

You've got a lot of learning to do, but you're in the right place. I personally like these.....

https://www.foundersperformance.com/...v=7516fd43adaa
Rear lower control arms are what locate the rear end and make it not be able to move forward or backwards. The factory ones are stamped steel with rubber bushings and long story short, can give you some nasty wheel hop. Also, when you lower your car you change the geometry of the LCA's, and relocation brackets are recommended. Like these.....

https://www.foundersperformance.com/...v=7516fd43adaa

But if you're gonna run an s60 your axle tubes will be thicker and I dont think most will work. But there is a good chance the new rear already has them.
I'll climb under and take some pics this weekend. As for as the the CAM, I have the original cam in a box.. they sent it with the car, with all the other original parts. Maybe that box has a part number on it or something? I'll look.
Old 02-12-2019 | 09:07 AM
  #11  
SteadyJoe's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Appling GA
Default



Here are a few more pics.



Snug as bug in a rug
Old 02-12-2019 | 09:11 AM
  #12  
SteadyJoe's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Appling GA
Default

Old 02-17-2019 | 04:28 PM
  #13  
WS6 #3392's Avatar
10 Second Club
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 934
Likes: 140
From: Tn
Default

Beautiful ride, good find!
Old 02-19-2019 | 07:39 PM
  #14  
JD_AMG's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,799
Likes: 16
From: St.Charles MO
Default

Welcome.
Something seems strange that the original owner upgraded the rods and pistons but is only running an LS6 cam. Makes me think he either had a bigger cam(and aftermarket heads - check your heads and see) that he swapped out before selling, or the car was setup for N20 or something. The rods and pistons are total overkill for the amount of power the car is making right now.
Old 02-22-2019 | 11:54 PM
  #15  
tuske427's Avatar
Launching!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 291
Likes: 10
From: Los Angeles
Default

Congrats on the T/A




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:57 PM.