I'm sure this has been posted, but the search I did didn't answer all the questions I have.

My girlfriend will be looking to get her 1st fast/muscle car within the next 4 months and she has always loved the 4th gens. She was dead-set on a LS1 SS, 6 speed, black, etc. However, she likes the interior of the TA better (as do I), and is coming around on the styling being more aggresive and less Chrysler Concorde-ish (like the 'maro).

I just need some opinions from you guys.

1. Ram Air Hood vs. Non Ram-Air hood. I personally dislike the WS6 hood, but I love the Firehawk look. Given the choice I think I would suggest the non ram-air. However, does this really affect hp to a significant degree? And is the scoop in the SS actually functional or is the inlet in the front of the hood?

2. Any problems that are specific to only the Camaro, or vice-versa. I know the driveline/engine/suspension etc is the same, but I am talking about interior/electrical/body part stuff.

3. Is the SS a worthwhile upgrade over the Z? She will only consider a 6 speed, and black/black (with leather). I know looks are completely opinion, but is the S worth the couple grand over the Z? Is it much more than just spoiler & hood.

4. Any specific years to avoid regarding the LS1?


I know these are pretty basic questions, but remember I'm just a dumb Mustang guy, so try to be amicable.

 

1. On a dyno that ram air won't do nothing, while you are moving, it will probably kick in.

2. For the Firebird line, since their headlights go up and down, their motors will wear out sometime. Don't know about the Firebird line's interior, but my interior is somewhat cheap. Clip-ons, is what holds some of my interior parts together.

3. The SS is mainly an appearance package, with better suspension. In my opinion, not worth it.

4. Don't know about staying away from a certain year, but the 01-02 models already have the LS6 intake installed, and some have the LS6 block too.

 

My opinion of the SS vs Z is that it is worth the extra$.I wanted an SS from the get go.So maybe I am biased.Your girl has great taste..a black 6 speed would be my choice too,wait it was mine alsoAs for the birds I have a love /hate relation with the looks.The front end is beautiful and the rear is a little funky.My .03 worth.;

 

Is she going to leave it stock, or mod it? If stock, get the SS/WS6 for the looks and exclusivity (somewhat). If she is modding it, get a Z28 and go from there. The Ram-Air on the SS is weak with the WS6s slightly better. Both upgraded suspensions are OK, but nothing fabulous. I knew that I was going to mod mine, so I bought a stripper Z28. No power window motors to fail, no headlight motors to break, no heavy-*** power seats, etc. Good luck!

 

As for the hp advantage in the ram air I will say this. A few days ago I read an article saying that ram air is a joke. That at the speeds cars travel at ram air is useless. That for air to compress and give you more power you would need to be moving around .5 mach. I don't know any f-bodies moving that fast. It also said that some of the claimed hp coming from these systems mite be from the cooler air coming in. Take this as you want to but I have always believed in it and the article convinced me other wise.

As for SS or Z28 I would go with just the z28 (even though I have the SS) because it is just as fast. In less you stumble on to a deal to good to pass up just like I did.

Adam

 

if for any reason a ram air, or SS would be faster than a T/A, or Z28..... than it would even out if you figure in the weight of the 17" rims, and a few lbs. from the hoods on both and the spoiler on the SS. personally i like the SS (thats why i drive one) but it is alittle more rare than a Ram Air, you see them everyday, and an SS every other day.

 

She will definitely do some mods, but nothing major. Probably the typical exhaust/lid/shifter, etc.

What you guys are saying is exactly what I was thikining. She likes the hood & spoiler on the SS, but she's not sure if it is worth the extra coin to pay for the name. I told her to go with the TA, just because I think it looks more agressive and has a slightly sportier interior.

 

Go with the WS6 !! !! You will NOT be disapointed! And if you are, well, then there is something wrong with you, and you should seek help

 

Well if she went with the WS6 she'd be immediately doing a Firehawk hood. It's too bad the 30th Anniv's are so hard to find, those look so badass.

 

Black on Black leather. All F-bodies should be that way. Just like me, if it wasnt black I wasnt even gonna consider it no matter how good the deal was, unless it was so cheap that I could repaint the car and still have paid a decent price total. Go for an 01-02 if possible, theyre a little quicker. Ram air is BS. People ask me how much hp i gained from my SS hood on my Z, when I say its strictly an appearance mod theyre like no way, its good for 15 hp. So ignorant. Its really garbage. If your lucky you may get 1-2 hp out of it. Nothing thats gonna make any real difference at all. For mods a Z28, if its gonna stay stock SS/ WS6. There is no point for paying extra for an SS if your gonna mod it. Since your gonna replace the factory exhaust, factory lid, wheels, and such are all gonna go, and if she's really hardcore suspension too. No point in paying extra for stuff your gonna replace anyway.

 

Personally, I think the pewter, silver and navy blue also look nice. However, she has never had a black car and is bent on that. She doesn't know the feeling of washing your nice black car and then 10 minutes later it's dusty looking

Thanks for the help guys. I think I'll get her to get a non-ram air Trans Am, if we can find one in the combo she likes.

Also how decent is the Monsoon stereo setup? Decent enough for the average listener, or is that another item that will upgraded anyway?

 

On the newer cars, the only suspension upgrade on the WS6s and SSs (unless you get additional SLP options) is a bigger front anti sway bar. Same springs and shocks. If she likes the looks of WS6/SSs and is willing to pay the extra coin, by all means do so. Don't do it for exclusivity, though, as there isn't a big difference in the numbers in the last year - WS6 vs. non, Z-28 vs SS.

I got the Z because I wanted cloth interior and a hardtop, both standard equipment on the TA. If I didn't live where it is so hot, I would have wanted leather, and that is where the TA stands out.

The Monsoon sounds ok to me, but my ears leave something to be desired after years around jet engines. I would prefer the TA version because of the equalizer. If the stereo isn't good enough for the music you/she listens to, upgrade it later.

 

I like the Camaro interior better than the TA, it's more modern, the TA interior is styled like the older muscle cars, I would pay the extra $1500 for The SS, The hood is lighter and it looks much better, the spoiler looks much better, It comes with 17X9 wheels rather than 16X8 and better tires, and ofcourse the better suspension, and a better exhaust i think, i think its definitly worth it, there's like 10 z-28 to 1 SS so they're much more rare. you will not be dissappointed with either car.

 

Actually, in 2002, there were only about 1.2 Z-28s to SSs. In earlier years they were kinda rare, but not anymore.

 

is it functional? yes. does it really affect hp? oh probably , but if it does its nothing earthshattering. *shrug* it can't hurt though.

not sure to be honest. but if there is i doubt its something big enough to make much of an impact on the decision between the two.

she has good taste . sounds like my car . for me it was. remember though, the hood and spoiler can be bought aftermarket. couple of hoods i personally think look better. suspension is a little better. but again, better aftermarket items are available. so it really depends on what is important to her. the ss's are numbered. beyond that everything they have is available aftermarket.

for me it was worth it. for her? depends on what her priorities are.

nope. the 01's and 2's have their advantages. but there isn't a "bad" year for the ls1.

the ss/ws6 vrs. z28/ta is more of a preference and prestige question. not so much a perfomance one. i can't tell you how many times ive had people tell me how they like to give z's a try but are afraid to run against me. i just smile and shake my head hehe.