Archive for the Category » The Trans AM «

Pretty, clean engine bay

Alright, so I just got the car back, she ended up making 413.27rwhp and 370.91ft/lb of torque, and has a nasty sound…it is truly awesome. Working on finding a good camera to capture the audio, so stay tuned for that—the video I took the night I went out to the shop didn’t turn out very good, the audio on the camera I was using SUCKED pretty bad, and that’s unfortunate. Oh and I found out that I’ve been missing out big time…a 60 punch in 2nd gear is where it’s at!

After driving it sporadically for the last couple of weeks, I’m learning what people refer to as “less daily drivable” as being stuck in traffic is absolutely no fun, having to drive slow, stop and go frequently with a big cam…doesn’t work out so well at low speeds, and has actually died 3 times while pulling into, or out of a parking spot. It’s running much too rich I’m afraid, and I’m only getting 15-17mpg on the fuel economy, so I’m thinking I need Billy and the guys at Billy Ranck Motorsports to re-evaluate the tune. Other than that, I love it…regardless of the temperature, I’m always cruising around with the windows rolled down, just so I can hear the cam. I love it!

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For those of you who don’t already know, I am the proud owner of a 2002 Pontiac Trans Am WS6.  When I bought her back in July of 2007, she was 100% stock.  I started out slow, suspension first: Koni 14-way adjustable shocks, Strano Performance springs and BMR subframe connectors.

Enter Phase Two.

The car, affectionately known as “Kristanna” dubbed as such based on the character of the Terminatrix in Terminator 3, Rise of the Machines, played by Kristanna Loken—is now at the shop, Billy Ranck Motorsports here in Fort Worth, Texas where she’s getting more life.  MS3 Cam kit, full Kooks/Magnaflow exhaust, an underdrive pulley, and a ported 92/92mm F.A.S.T./Nick Williams intake manifold/throttle body.  In the front, a bigger lid w/a K&N air filter.  More suspension work, with a dual adjustable, chrome moly panhard bar.  With an aggressive yet daily drivable tune, we’re aiming for 430rwhp.  I just found out from Billy that the exhaust and cam are finished up, and he’s actually waiting on me to bring him the Borla tips (dual, angle-cut, intercooled) and the panhard bar—which I’d already purchased.  He’s also waiting on some V-Band clamps for the exhaust, so it’s currently open header, and sounds like a “dirty, nasty race car”.  So I’m headed out to the shop this evening w/the parts and a video camera to document the new sound.  I’m going to post up the videos to YouTube once I get back, probably by the end of the week, so you can hear for yourself.

Phase two will wrap up the most of the Trans Am Project, until my house is finished and I’m moved in…then I’ll get accustomed to the additional power, and probably next will replace the rear end and harden the transmission.  We’ll call that Phase Three.  Phase Four will be the LSX swap, putting the built LS1 into my ’93 Chevy Truck, which will be another project in and of itself.  Eventually, there will be a D1 Procharger atop the built LSX, and possibly a twin turbo powered LS1 in the truck.

Stay tuned.

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