A couple of questions... body work, engine, and stuff!

I finally got over to these boards and it looks like a great crew.

I have a couple of questions.

I have a '97 Trans Am (ram air package) w/ nitrous.

First I had someone say I had a WS6 and looking at the engine I was sure it was an LT1. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong. It's definitely the 5.7. I think the guy got confused because it has the WS6 chrome rims.

Now I was under the impression that I could fit the '98+ body kit on it without any problems (from 2 fog lights to 4 I think). I loved the look of it with the valance and everything, it makes it look sleeker because it's lowered. So what front ends fit other front ends from '92 to '00

Next, I want to take out the ram air for the dual filter system used on Corvete LT-1s. I was going to use dual foam dragon filters. I curently have the bigger BBK throttle body and I'm not throwing an engine code, but I don't want to develop one either, but I used the dragon on one of my turbo applications and it just flowed so well that I want to use it on the naturally aspirated one (it's almost like using nothing at all!), plus I didn't know if it would actually give me any gains over puting in a K&N filter.

I think that's it for now. Thanks everyone for your help.

I finally got over to these boards and it looks like a great crew.

I have a couple of questions.

I have a '97 Trans Am (ram air package) w/ nitrous.

First I had someone say I had a WS6 and looking at the engine I was sure it was an LT1. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong. It's definitely the 5.7. I think the guy got confused because it has the WS6 chrome rims.

Now I was under the impression that I could fit the '98+ body kit on it without any problems (from 2 fog lights to 4 I think). I loved the look of it with the valance and everything, it makes it look sleeker because it's lowered. So what front ends fit other front ends from '92 to '00

Next, I want to take out the ram air for the dual filter system used on Corvete LT-1s. I was going to use dual foam dragon filters. I curently have the bigger BBK throttle body and I'm not throwing an engine code, but I don't want to develop one either, but I used the dragon on one of my turbo applications and it just flowed so well that I want to use it on the naturally aspirated one (it's almost like using nothing at all!), plus I didn't know if it would actually give me any gains over puting in a K&N filter.

I think that's it for now. Thanks everyone for your help.



ok, lemme try to answer everything....

--ws6 is an appearance/performance package in your year and has nothing to do with your engine. In 93-97 all formulas and trans ams had LT1 engines. Typically WS6 packages give you a ram air hood, rims and some suspension differences. In 4th gen cars..if u had no ram air hood..then you don't have a WS6.

--a 98-02 front end conversion is doable, but tis far from "simple" and its not cheap. You need a new bumper, fenders, hood and head light assemblies. If u want a similar look of a 98+ WS6 package click on my car domain link to see my car...its has a suncoast creations predator hood..which makes it a WHOLE lot meaner looking, and blends in well..most people think it is factory. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/711131

--WS6 option cars aren't lower, but some have aftermarket body kits that make them look lower.

-- A dual cone filter might be a clearance problem, especially with a stock 93-97 hood. There is no where to put it except right on top at the throttle body, and if the cones are as big as i think they are...its never gonna happen. With a ram air hood..you might be good tho.

--im not familiar with dragon filters, but K&N also claims better breathing then no filter at all. I have a K&N ram air box.

I think you somed it all up, right there

Wow! I've never had someone actually answer every question even better than I had asked them! Good job.

So now I'm clear. I have a WS6 package (which makes me ecstatic now)

I have a picture of my car on my other account and can't put it here, but it has the exact same nose as yours and I want this one.
http://www.bodykits.com/BodyKits/Pontiac/PontiacFirebird/PontiacFirebird98-01/Pontiac_Firebird_98_-01-Body-Kits.html

And I've come to terms with I won't be able to get it because it's a '98 - '01... *sigh*

My car is definitely lowered with the suspension package as I can't do speed bumps at all! lol

I've also noticed that my brakes needs upgrading badly, so I think I'm going to ventend front rotors, stock rears with kevlar pads, but keep the stock set-up. The rear rotors are definitely out of round.

I have to say though, this car is all that. I normally tune high horsepower Mustangs although I'm a Pontiac fanboy, you do what makes the money right? Well, now all the guys are jealous of me because we have to upgrade theirs to 6 speeds most times and I drive up in this monster they are all gauking and saying, "yep, we figured." They aren't bothered by it either, they love it. So now we've got all my Mustang and Pontiac/Chevy guys as friends for cruise nights. It's just awesome.

But boy do we smack talk! Ha ha! But they're all humble winners and losers after they cross the finish line. It's good to have a great group of guys and girls to run with.

haha the WS6 is a sweet package.. my 3rd gen's ws6 makes the ride soo harsh tho. is the 4th gen just as bad? i <3 that harshness tho. i figure if i wanted a comfortable econo-box ill get me a civic. :) for a sporty car, mushy feel is lame.

regarding brakes..

If you wanted to upgrade on a budget- the '98 through '02 have bigger brakes than the '93-97 F-bodies. larger diameter rotor and better calipers. You can swap the spindles, calipers and rotors from the ls1 cars onto yours. They bolt right up. They sell them on ebay all the time. Or hit your local salvage yard. From what I read online they say it isn't so necessary to upgrade the rears, just the fronts. Since you have anti lock brakes the proportioning shouldn't be an issue. (If I'm wrong- someone correct me)

Or, you could look into an aftermarket brake kit from Wilwood, Baer, etc . I'd reccomend a larger diameter rotor for better stopping power if you're having trouble with your current set up. I think the larger diameter brakes will make more of a performance improvement than the cross drilled rotors, especially on the street.

When I purchased the Wilwood disc brake kit for my car- Wilwood engineers told me that on the street, the cross drilled rotors would not give me any performance difference than the regular rotors. Just looks and $$$ difference. If you race, then maybe spend the extra coin for cross drilled.

Just my 2 cents...

I don't think I'm having any problem with the brakes other than being unkept, lol. Thanks for the suggestions. If I do the common upkeep and they still don't stop well I think I'll do Baer for a change of pace.

The vented rotor with kevlar are immense when brake fade is an issue, such as holding it to the ground after a high speed run. That alone for me was a great sense of security.

To be honest, I'm an awful judge of ride quality after having a 1.75" lowered Eclipse GSX with 325hp. In that car you don't complain about ride quality when you're just glad you can stop! lol I totally enjoy the feel myself, although I wouldn't suggest anyone purchasing it for its sound system, lol.

I wanted to show you a dragon filter.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8026069785&fromMakeTrack=true

They are completely amazing on the turbo vehicles I've used but had too much airflow for small engine naturally aspirated set-ups that adjusted the idle to zero to compensate, lol.

UPDATE!

Okay, I was driving a broken '97 30th anniversary (badly tuned basically), it's the white with orange stripes. Found the brakes were just junk. They were just changed, but the booster was doing nothing and bad fade.

Tuned it up proper, got it running right and braking perfection! Then I realized the booster gets its vacuum from the head and tuned it up and the brakes are great.

So if you're having a braking problem you may want to check your tuning.

Instead of puting in the dual piping I realized that I can fit the straight foam in also for the intake. So I'm puting in a Granatelli MAF for the WS6 and going from there. If I can't fit the dual in it's only $40 and not wasted, or I can just do the K&N set-up and call it a day.

Next will be 18" rims with dual offset.

I was also surprised to see that the person I sold the Eclipse to wants to work on a Muscle car and doesn't want to continue with it and basically gave it back!