firebird trans am vs ws6 trans am - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

shadowfire · 07-20-2012, 05:19 PM

ok i need you help here guys, we are looking to buy a new car for my girl she likes the trans am.... she showed me some pics of some she would like but when i check them out i get two different modles, but they look the same to me,,, can and one tell me the difrence or what it is better ill throw up some pics for ebay

shadowfire · 07-20-2012, 05:20 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ponti...ht_2424wt_1162

shadowfire · 07-20-2012, 05:24 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2001-...#ht_996wt_1162

shadowfire · 07-20-2012, 05:26 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2002-...#ht_499wt_1183

sweetbmxrider · 07-20-2012, 06:00 PM

A ws6 is to trans am as an ss is to a z28.

shadowfire · 07-20-2012, 06:07 PM

i see so does the ws6 handling package really put up, or is it all hype, seems like ws6 cost so much more to. for mostly the same car... any one know where i could find specs or research this?

Jersey Mike · 07-20-2012, 06:15 PM

Primary difference is the ram air hood and the 17" wheels, but since these cars are 10+ years old and regularly modified, those two things may very wheel have been already altered.

Very general model breakdown was as follows:
Firebird <--- (V6)
Firebird Formula
Firebird Formula Trans Am
Firebird Formula Trans Am WS6

Sure, there are other packages and sure there are more (minor) differences between the T/A and WS.6 packages, (slightly larger front swaybar, different airbox, a nifty emblem, exhaust tips) but those things are so small that if she just wants the body style and the LS1 motor, then I wouldn't worry about. Because the WS6 was the upgrade, they have a higher value on the market. Getting a WS6 hood, (like the ones in those pictures) will run you under ~$500 before paint for an aftermarket one from VFN or the like, or $800+ for an OEM used take-off. The wheels (if you really want WS6 wheels...) would only run 350-450 for the wheels.

Again, these aren't things I would get hung up on, if all she wants is the WS6 body style (hood & spoiler); Get a T/A, a ram air hood for 500 bucks, and call it a day.

shadowfire · 07-20-2012, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jersey Mike

Primary difference is the ram air hood and the 17" wheels, but since these cars are 10+ years old and regularly modified, those two things may very wheel have been already altered.

Very general model breakdown was as follows:
Firebird <--- (V6)
Firebird Formula
Firebird Formula Trans Am
Firebird Formula Trans Am WS6

Sure, there are other packages and sure there are more (minor) differences between the T/A and WS.6 packages, (slightly larger front swaybar, different airbox, a nifty emblem, exhaust tips) but those things are so small that if she just wants the body style and the LS1 motor, then I wouldn't worry about. Because the WS6 was the upgrade, they have a higher value on the market. Getting a WS6 hood, (like the ones in those pictures) will run you under ~$500 before paint for an aftermarket one from VFN or the like, or $800+ for an OEM used take-off. The wheels (if you really want WS6 wheels...) would only run 350-450 for the wheels.

Again, these aren't things I would get hung up on, if all she wants is the WS6 body style (hood & spoiler); Get a T/A, a ram air hood for 500 bucks, and call it a day.

yea i think ill do that she really dont need all this power anyway

sweetbmxrider · 07-20-2012, 07:02 PM

Their just camaros with body kits anyways.

greenformula92 · 07-20-2012, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider

Their just camaros with body kits anyways.

thats why a WS6 has a higher base HP rating than the same year SS. Ram Air made a big difference apparently

WildBillyT · 07-20-2012, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jersey Mike

Primary difference is the ram air hood and the 17" wheels, but since these cars are 10+ years old and regularly modified, those two things may very wheel have been already altered.

Very general model breakdown was as follows:
Firebird <--- (V6)
Firebird Formula
Firebird Formula Trans Am
Firebird Formula Trans Am WS6

Sure, there are other packages and sure there are more (minor) differences between the T/A and WS.6 packages, (slightly larger front swaybar, different airbox, a nifty emblem, exhaust tips) but those things are so small that if she just wants the body style and the LS1 motor, then I wouldn't worry about. Because the WS6 was the upgrade, they have a higher value on the market. Getting a WS6 hood, (like the ones in those pictures) will run you under ~$500 before paint for an aftermarket one from VFN or the like, or $800+ for an OEM used take-off. The wheels (if you really want WS6 wheels...) would only run 350-450 for the wheels.

Again, these aren't things I would get hung up on, if all she wants is the WS6 body style (hood & spoiler); Get a T/A, a ram air hood for 500 bucks, and call it a day.

There is also a Formula WS6.

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenformula92

thats why a WS6 has a higher base HP rating than the same year SS. Ram Air made a big difference apparently

SS and WS6 have the same HP rating. SS was an SLP car, WS6 was not, it was an ASC car. Firehawk was another 10 hp.

Demonicbird00 · 07-20-2012, 10:08 PM

trans am = sleek beek (flat hood)
ws6 = ram air hood

technically 5-10hp more for the ws6

every other aspect they run the same times and handle the same

buy the trans am and save a few bucks

-brandon

Featherburner · 07-20-2012, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demonicbird00

buy the trans am and save a few bucks

-brandon

Or, buy a Formula and have a far better looking car!

V · 07-20-2012, 11:29 PM

ws6 ram air was more effective due to the head on design, the SS hoods had the whole wrap around effect thing which was less efficient.

Slow-V6 · 07-21-2012, 12:14 AM

Thought the WS6 had all the options? My car came with everything. Hurst shifter, 12 disc changer.. WS6 will hold there value better then a regular T/A.. My 02 WS6 is still booked @ 12,000 and I bought it back in 2005 for 16,000.. I had a 98 Firebird and comparing that car with its stock suspension and 16 inch wheels to my WS6 suspension and 17 inch wheels the WS6 really out handled it. I am not sure if a Regular T/A suspension was different then a Firebirds but the regular T/A's got 16 inch wheels as well.

I know for many they dont care bout having a WS6 or SS but for me I wanted the best Firebird that I could afford at the time. If I had to do it over again I would have waited for a Firehawk. You cant go wrong with getting a T/A, or WS6 T/A.

shadowfire · 07-21-2012, 07:17 AM

so what is the best ?? i dont care about the money

WayFast84 · 07-21-2012, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadowfire

so what is the best ?? i dont care about the money

Firehawk

shadowfire · 07-21-2012, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WayFast84

Firehawk

oh sorry i mean between ws6 trans am ... (feels stupid)

i think well just get a ws6 trans am ... and work on it

Tru2Chevy · 07-21-2012, 08:04 AM

Yes, the ws6 is a better car, but unless you are buying it with collector/resale value in mind it's not worth the extra money (Imo). You can add the hood, wheels, and better suspension for the same or less money in most cases.

- Justin

greenformula92 · 07-21-2012, 09:00 PM

Justin I am inclined to agree with you on that point. You can source the parts to make the car a WS6...but then again at that point it is just another clone

12secondv6 · 07-21-2012, 09:31 PM

V6 POWA!

NjbadSS · 07-21-2012, 10:21 PM

The formulas look the crappier of the birds, the ws6 is the best looking car in my opinion, and they definitely hold their value and make it worth it to buy. you can find basic trans ams for 4k, you wont find a low miles clean ws6 under 8k. If you do get a trans am, and put the hood on it, just dont be like some and put ws6 badges on it! lol good luck on your hunt