Someone is parting out a WS6 firebird, I already got the whole t5 swap, and the rims/tires out of it. I think i'm going to ask him about the swaybars tomorrow, they should be 36/24 right? Anything else I should go for? Dashpad and seats are shot, no overhead console, has a tbi so nothing on the motor is worth grabbing.
Anyone know what should be in the rear, just 3.08 or somthing a little nicer?

 

Being that it is a TBI...I would say 3.08 in the rear. 3.23 would probably be the highest in the car (unless whoever bought it optioned in the 3.42). Check the numbers in the console with the program at thirdgen.org. Should tell you everything you need to know. Now lets get down to parts....... You must think about what parts will be neede in the future...The radiator is made pretty cheaply (plastic reservoirs) so pull his if it is in good shape. If he has an oil cooler on it...pull it. I myself run synthetic, so I do not need the cooler. 4 wheel dic brakes...If you do not have them on yours...PULL HIS!!!! Cruise control parts (especially that little ball in the fender (vacumm ball). Electric fans if you do not have them. Any interior parts (floor rails get cracked easy) that maybe neede in the future.

That should keep you busy

Later

 

His RPO's are gone, checked the console and the rear storage, any other way to tell? I hard pre 89 disk brakes weren't much if any better than the post 89 drums? Have electric fans, I run synthetic too, and it doesn't have an oil cooler. I will ask about cruise and the interior when I call about the swaybars though.

 

Take out the steering box as well. That is part of the WS6 package.

 

Whats special about it?

 

Its a quick ratio: or should be anyway.

 

A 91 F41 camaro wouldn't have the quick ratio in it already, would it?

 

Not sure they usually came on IROC's and SS's and Z28's I do believe.


Awonder bar would be a good indicator that you have this or not. That would be another thing to grab if you don't have it.

 

it has 3.08's,...you couldnt get the 3.42's without G92 and you had to have TPI to get G92...
F41's have the quick ratio steering box

 

Let's make sure of what we're talking about. There were no base Firebird WS-6 cars. The WS-6 package was only in some Formulas, Trans Ams and GTAs. It was purely a suspension/steering thing (versus the base F-41 sport suspention) but only came in cars with V8s and I beleive they had to be TPI engines (don't quote me on that last one). WS-6 cars always came with 16x8 wheels and the 245/50 tires (anything with 15" wheels OR 235/55 tires on 16" wheels was F-41 suspension).

I agree about grabbing the sway bars, steering box and even the springs out of it if you get a chance. All are calibrated a smidge tighter than base F-41 suspension pieces. The steering box may be the same ratio as F-41 cars but it's designed for a tighter feel, with less "assist" from the power steering. I have a WS-6 steering box in my 78 Malibu right now- it's a bolt-in if you can believe that!

 

Its always been my understanding that all formulas 87-92 regardless of motor were WS6.ALL of them.I have never seen one that wasnt.

 

The TBI definatly isn't original, could have been a tpi swapped to a tbi. It has the hood with the buldge in it that says 305 on the side, wasnt that a tpi thing?

But yeah i'm going to ask about the swaybars/steering. I don't think the springs would be worth it from a 90,000 mile car?

 

Actually the TBI motor was standard on most year formulas.The TPI was optional so that motor is probably original.I almost bought a formula with the TBI but the power was just awful.

 

The guy told me he had swapped the motor in. So its not original, weather the original was tpi or tbi I don't know.

 

the 8th digit in the bvin will be code F for a TPI car. WS6 was standard on FORMULAS and GTAs, optional on T/As.
the fast ratio steering box will have "XH" on the very front and is the same in camaros.
as for the hood that hood is standard on formulas as well, if its still there and decent grab it along with the sway bars. grab the dash cluster also as the auto cars got a 120 cluster and the sticks got the 140. depending on how regular the shocks were changed the springs might be ok. if the car is on flat level ground and the car dosent lean or sit too low id grab them as well.
the design of the steering box that is used in F cars was used across the board in most GM cars. check the rear by looking at teh bottom of the pumpkin, if it has the borg insignia id grab it as well. try and find a 89 rear to get the backing plates and you can then upgrade to the PBR calipers. there should be a tag on te diff cover that will tell you what ratio the rear is. the axles unbolt by the backing plates so swapping is a cinch.
if its a borg rear the ratios will be ither 2.77, 3.08, or 3.27. i was shocked to see a 3.08 borg ratio, but there it was stamped on the ring gear and the borg insignia on the pumpkin bottom.
also on hjte steering box, upgrade to a 14" steering wheel and it brings the steering feel around even better.