A stock 1997 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am WS6 and about $2000 to play with.

What should I upgrade or replace first, now that it has about 75,xxx miles on it?

I was thinking about starting with small stuff:
Subframe Connectors
Rear Lower Control Arms and Relocation Brackets
Electric Water Pump
Torque Arm

But after that, then what?

Also, are the WS6 upgrades as good as I can get?:
Ram Air hood and air intake (like that of the Firehawk)
Freer flowing exhaust system
Higher rate front springs (360 lbs/in)
Variable rate rear springs (130-180 lbs/in)
Stiffer front and rear shocks
Harder bushings
Larger diameter front anti-sway bar (32mm)
Increased cooling
17 inch wheels with 275/40ZR/17 tires

The rubber on the tires is already gone, but I don't really want to spend all of my money to replace the cheap tires already on.

So, any suggestions?

 

Well fist thing we'd recomend is a good tune up. Plugs, wires, fuel filter is gonna run you around $100ish in parts. Now for the fun stuff :-D First will you be doing the work yourself? That will vary on how far your $$ go... But here is a list we'd recomend

Cold Air Intake.....

Full exhaust.... If you don't have emissions look into some Long tube headers/ypipe and then a nice catback exhaust or cutout.

Subframe connectors....... Awesome mod to strengthen the car as well as keep it nice.

Now is your car auto or 6spd? If auto geta stall/ if manual shifter and short stick.


Now depending if your doing the installs or not that will be around $2000. If you'd like shoot us a PM and we can get some stuff priced up for you.

Thanks

 

Just finished plugs, wires, fuel filter, got lubricants for synthetic tranny and gear oil.

I plan on doing all the work myself, although I do not currently own a welder-or know how to operate a welder

I think I am content with the Ram Air Hood system GM had SLP install on the Trans Am

I do have to comply with Virginia emmissions

Its a 4L60E auto

Thanks

 

6 speed swap.

Getchya some nice shorty or mid-length headers if you have strict emissions. Highflow cat, and a nice catback (Hooker?)


What are your goals for this car? Daily Driver? Cam? HP?

If you want a cam you should probably get some lower (3.73 or 4.10?) rear end gears and a stall.

 

From someone who's been there done that, this is exactly what I would do.


Get your self a set of
NGK plugs,
NEw plug wires 8mm,
go with a short tube header.
Either MAC/RK sport/ or Arizona.
Cold Air Intake

K&N/Moroso/AS&M/SLP anyone is good.

If you don't have an exhaust system
SLP loudmouth is the best for the buck...

You'll probably spend 1200-1500 for everything mentioned above.

I'd pocket the 500.00 and save it for another mod day... rule of thumb is don't blow all your mod funds at once.

 

stall
cai
headers
gears
tires

 

thats my vote

pacesetter coated lt's are 420$ you could fab up tru exhaust for $210installed.

go with 3:73 gears and possibly a ta cover for the rear.

 

Custom SSI has a very good list to start with... a tuneup, then a full exhaust, and subframe connectors will really make a huge difference with your car.

 

I'd say tires come first if they are bald

Then I'd got with

CAI $200
Shorty Headers $400
Catback exhaust $400
LCA's, relos, and Panhard rod $270

Save the rest for when something breaks lol...

 

LT1 – LE1Head/cam package will pull from 2,000 to 6,200 RPM and should make *370 – 390 RWHP with 30 lb. injectors, 52 MM T.B., 1 ¾ LT’s no cats, good tuning, etc. This will have an idle similar to the HotCam, CC 305, etc. but will make more HP & TQ than these cams with the same RPM range.

The LE1 heads consist of:

Stock Valves with Back Out
CM 612 Spring Retainers & Locks
195 CC Intake Port
Milling
Cleaning
Assembly
Flow About 255/180
Ready To Bolt On
*The HP#’s mentioned are typical for an F-body with 6 speed, stock rear and with ALL of the complimenting parts mentioned.

LE1 Head/Cam Package - $1,100 plus shipping. $800 for Heads only.




just thought of this

 

That gets my vote

I have all of them in mycar.