Ram air without the Ram air?
12-29-2007, 09:12 PM
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Ram air without the Ram air? I recently bought a 2001 T/A WS6 6 speed that is "stock" according to the dealer I bought it from. I took notice recently after seeing my friends and other WS6s that under the hood the stock air box and intake above the radiator is different than all of the other WS6s I have seen. The lid doesn't say "Ram Air" and the gap between the bottom of the intake tray and the radiator is narrower than all of the other ones I have seen. It looks like the person who had it before me scrambled to throw an intake on it from a regular T/A or a LS1 Camaro when they where trying to sell it.
I haven't been around T/As that much especially WS6s so I didn't notice and think to ask when I was buying it.
I know it isn't the right intake, my question is should I care or be worried?
And for the sake of my OCD what would be the best way to get a Ram Air box for my Ram Air? I feel like a goob.
I haven't been around T/As that much especially WS6s so I didn't notice and think to ask when I was buying it.
I know it isn't the right intake, my question is should I care or be worried?
And for the sake of my OCD what would be the best way to get a Ram Air box for my Ram Air? I feel like a goob.
12-29-2007, 09:49 PM
#2
Check for the "WS6" RPO code on the driver's-side door decal. No WS6 code on the door decal means it's not a real WS6. There is a possibility that the car is just a base-model Trans Am that someone has put a ram air hood on. Unfortunately, the hood swap happens all the time. Many times these cars are passed off as WS6 cars due to many factors be it intentional or unintentional (dishonesty, ignorance, etc). The gap in the intake base on your 'bird is definitely from a base-model Trans Am.
Many of the aftermarket ram air hoods are shaped differently enough that you can easily tell a fake from an OEM hood. Now that wouldn't stop a person from actually getting an OEM ram air hood to put on a base-model 'bird, but it's not as common due to the high cost of the OEM hood versus an aftermarket one.
Does the car have the 16" Chromed Aluminum Wheels with the "ABS" center caps, or does it have the 17" Polished Aluminum Wheels with the "WS6" center caps. The wheels would be easy to swap, but this could be an immediate sign of a fake if the 16" wheels are on the car.
The "WS6" emblems can also be easily added to the car as well as the "Ram Air" decals on the hood.
I'm not trying to scare you. I'm just pointing out things you need to look for to determine the authenticity of your 'bird.
Many of the aftermarket ram air hoods are shaped differently enough that you can easily tell a fake from an OEM hood. Now that wouldn't stop a person from actually getting an OEM ram air hood to put on a base-model 'bird, but it's not as common due to the high cost of the OEM hood versus an aftermarket one.
Does the car have the 16" Chromed Aluminum Wheels with the "ABS" center caps, or does it have the 17" Polished Aluminum Wheels with the "WS6" center caps. The wheels would be easy to swap, but this could be an immediate sign of a fake if the 16" wheels are on the car.
The "WS6" emblems can also be easily added to the car as well as the "Ram Air" decals on the hood.
I'm not trying to scare you. I'm just pointing out things you need to look for to determine the authenticity of your 'bird.
12-30-2007, 11:47 AM
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The Only real way to determine Model and Options is the RPO sticker on the drivers door.
But the Vin # can be checked against ASC's records to find out if it was one of the converted cars.
Again though checking the RPO Sticker is easier.
12-30-2007, 01:31 PM
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It is a true WS6. The RPO code is there and it has the 17" wheels with 275/40R17s on them. It doesn't say WS6 in the center cap but they are the 5 spokes that the spokes are the fat ones and I haven't seen those with the WS6 in the center on them. The hood is authentic too.
I think that they had either the K&N intake on it or the Volant and when they sold it they put the first factory intake on it they could find and didn't put the right one. Any one concur?
And how/where would I find an authentic Ram Air intake? My OCD is kickin my ***.
I think that they had either the K&N intake on it or the Volant and when they sold it they put the first factory intake on it they could find and didn't put the right one. Any one concur?
And how/where would I find an authentic Ram Air intake? My OCD is kickin my ***.
12-30-2007, 04:56 PM
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Your probably right about the Volant or K&N setup.
The guy probably sold the raised airbox to offset some of the cost.
And as for the stock R/A lid it's the same as any other LS1 Car except the Ram Air Sticker. Last I checked (a few yrs ago) you could still get the WS6 airbox from a Dealer for around $100, Otherwise check for sale section or Ebay.
The guy probably sold the raised airbox to offset some of the cost.
And as for the stock R/A lid it's the same as any other LS1 Car except the Ram Air Sticker. Last I checked (a few yrs ago) you could still get the WS6 airbox from a Dealer for around $100, Otherwise check for sale section or Ebay.
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12-30-2007, 05:27 PM
#8
You probably have something like this on your car: lmperformance.com/954/1.html I would bet a previous owner traded just the original air cover for a "high flow" one. From 98-02, the airboxes were the same on all models of the firebird - including the cover. The only difference between a ram air firebird and a regular V8 firebird was the hood!
The high flow airlids were a very popular add-on for people looking for an additinal 1-2 hp, that they would never be able to notice.
If you want to go back to the original lid, I'd suggest checking out Cleveland Pick-A-Part. clevelandpickapart.com They have a decent eBay shop and can probably get you the part directly from them. They specialize in LS1 cars.
There is a ram air sticker on the air lid on the WS6 cars. You may be able to get a lid with the sticker already on it or get one from a dealer.
The high flow airlids were a very popular add-on for people looking for an additinal 1-2 hp, that they would never be able to notice.
If you want to go back to the original lid, I'd suggest checking out Cleveland Pick-A-Part. clevelandpickapart.com They have a decent eBay shop and can probably get you the part directly from them. They specialize in LS1 cars.There is a ram air sticker on the air lid on the WS6 cars. You may be able to get a lid with the sticker already on it or get one from a dealer.
Last edited by y2k_ta; 12-30-2007 at 06:31 PM. Reason: Non-sponsor live links
12-30-2007, 05:48 PM
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You probably have something like this on your car: lmperformance.com/954/1.html I would bet a previous owner traded just the original air cover for a "high flow" one. From 98-02, the airboxes were the same on all models of the firebird - including the cover. The only difference between a ram air firebird and a regular V8 firebird was the hood!
The high flow airlids were a very popular add-on for people looking for an additinal 1-2 hp, that they would never be able to notice. If you want to go back to the original lid, I'd suggest checking out Cleveland Pick-A-Part. clevelandpickapart.com They have a decent eBay shop and can probably get you the part directly from them. They specialize in LS1 cars.
There is a ram air sticker on the air lid on the WS6 cars. You may be able to get a lid with the sticker already on it or get one from a dealer.
The high flow airlids were a very popular add-on for people looking for an additinal 1-2 hp, that they would never be able to notice.
If you want to go back to the original lid, I'd suggest checking out Cleveland Pick-A-Part. clevelandpickapart.com They have a decent eBay shop and can probably get you the part directly from them. They specialize in LS1 cars.There is a ram air sticker on the air lid on the WS6 cars. You may be able to get a lid with the sticker already on it or get one from a dealer.
And an Air Lid gains are quite a bit more than 1-2 HP.
Last edited by y2k_ta; 12-30-2007 at 06:32 PM. Reason: Non-sponsor live link in quoted section
12-30-2007, 06:38 PM
#10
It is a true WS6. The RPO code is there and it has the 17" wheels with 275/40R17s on them. It doesn't say WS6 in the center cap but they are the 5 spokes that the spokes are the fat ones and I haven't seen those with the WS6 in the center on them. The hood is authentic too.
I think that they had either the K&N intake on it or the Volant and when they sold it they put the first factory intake on it they could find and didn't put the right one. Any one concur?
And how/where would I find an authentic Ram Air intake? My OCD is kickin my ***.
I think that they had either the K&N intake on it or the Volant and when they sold it they put the first factory intake on it they could find and didn't put the right one. Any one concur?
And how/where would I find an authentic Ram Air intake? My OCD is kickin my ***.
I agree on the air intake swap too. A lot of us sell off the factory parts to either offset the cost of the aftermarket parts (as already mentioned), or to have extra money for more aftermarket parts
You have several options for the lower air box and air lid. They're not site sponsors so I can't post links, but you can try Billy Graham's, Tennessee Auto & Hawks Third-gen for used parts. I'd go with new GM parts as a last resort due to the cost of buying new.
01-01-2008, 06:37 PM
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I'll have some pictures up when I find the time to wash and wax her. The city I live in is on a water restriction and it's $100 fine if you get caught washing your car. Plus to top it off there is a Cop that live 5 doors down from me. I did have her on a chassis Dyno though for a base line and with no mods it made 300 RWHP and 314 RWTQ. I have the sheet in my glove box. I'll scan it and post it later.
I think I'm just gonna put on a lid and be done with it. If I find the bottom half then woopty doo.
Thank you to every one for the info.
I think I'm just gonna put on a lid and be done with it. If I find the bottom half then woopty doo.
Thank you to every one for the info.
01-01-2008, 08:15 PM
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True WS6's have the scoops on the hood free flowing into the airbox without restriction don't they? The WS6 i am looking to buy says ram air but has a egular air box on it. Here is a pic. http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...aff=national#0 . just scroll through and down further. Thanks - Zack
01-02-2008, 01:21 PM
#16
There are only two types of air box assemblies. One for the 3.8L engine and one for the 5.7L engine. There is no modification for the WS6, except for the sticker.
The WS6 air box & sitcker looks just like the pictures posted by LS1_K1DD.
Perhaps you were swapped for a 3.8L box? You can go to this site to check out the GM parts; http://www.gmpartsdistributor.com (Its run by Lake Chevrolet in CA; which has the best GM prices I've found so far.) Pull up your model and then search under "Engine - Air Intake - Cover" Then view the illustrations to check out the differences between the 3.8 and 5.7 air boxes.
BTW - Send us pictures of your air box! We already know what your car looks like on the outside.
The plastic pieces in the hood are grilles and protect you from trash flowing in to your air box and from debris getting in and tearing your air filter. You'll definitely want to keep them in place.
The WS6 air box & sitcker looks just like the pictures posted by LS1_K1DD.
Perhaps you were swapped for a 3.8L box? You can go to this site to check out the GM parts; http://www.gmpartsdistributor.com (Its run by Lake Chevrolet in CA; which has the best GM prices I've found so far.) Pull up your model and then search under "Engine - Air Intake - Cover" Then view the illustrations to check out the differences between the 3.8 and 5.7 air boxes.
BTW - Send us pictures of your air box! We already know what your car looks like on the outside.
The plastic pieces in the hood are grilles and protect you from trash flowing in to your air box and from debris getting in and tearing your air filter. You'll definitely want to keep them in place.
01-02-2008, 03:07 PM
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There are only two types of air box assemblies. One for the 3.8L engine and one for the 5.7L engine. There is no modification for the WS6, except for the sticker.
The WS6 air box & sitcker looks just like the pictures posted by LS1_K1DD.
Perhaps you were swapped for a 3.8L box? You can go to this site to check out the GM parts; http://www.gmpartsdistributor.com (Its run by Lake Chevrolet in CA; which has the best GM prices I've found so far.) Pull up your model and then search under "Engine - Air Intake - Cover" Then view the illustrations to check out the differences between the 3.8 and 5.7 air boxes.
BTW - Send us pictures of your air box! We already know what your car looks like on the outside.
The plastic pieces in the hood are grilles and protect you from trash flowing in to your air box and from debris getting in and tearing your air filter. You'll definitely want to keep them in place.
The WS6 air box & sitcker looks just like the pictures posted by LS1_K1DD.
Perhaps you were swapped for a 3.8L box? You can go to this site to check out the GM parts; http://www.gmpartsdistributor.com (Its run by Lake Chevrolet in CA; which has the best GM prices I've found so far.) Pull up your model and then search under "Engine - Air Intake - Cover" Then view the illustrations to check out the differences between the 3.8 and 5.7 air boxes.
BTW - Send us pictures of your air box! We already know what your car looks like on the outside.
The plastic pieces in the hood are grilles and protect you from trash flowing in to your air box and from debris getting in and tearing your air filter. You'll definitely want to keep them in place.
01-02-2008, 03:26 PM
#18
The factory airlid is the same shape on all the V8 'birds. The only car with a different airlid is the V6 'birds.
01-02-2008, 08:09 PM
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For all future references, I am referring to the bottom half or the "Mail Slot" above the radiator. I know all about the lid or the top half. I need the platform that the lid sits on.